Indian street food manifestations are like none other. Chowpati (Indian street food market) is full of mouth-watering and delicious foods. Once you find your go-to street food places, I guarantee you that you will go back for more. These street food vendors are masters of their craft and foodies find their heaven in these chowpatis.
1. Vada Pav
Vada Pav, also known as Bombay burger is by far the most popular street-side snack in India. This is classic Maharashtrian street food for Vegan food lovers and is packed with tones of flavours. Spiced mashed potatoes deep fried with crispy batter guarantee to tantalize your taste buds. Placed inside a soft roll and covered with coriander chutney and tamarind this little gem for foodies has been on the top must-try street foods from the streets of Mumbai.
Sprinkled with Maharashtrian ghati masala it is a burst of flavours. It is Fiery, It is toasty. It is a must-try Indian Street snack. Swadish Vada Pav will definitely remind you of Mumbai streets.
2. Pani Puri
Pani puri or Puchkas are hollow wheat bubbles originated in the Indian subcontinent. A crispy round puffed puri filled with refreshing flavour bursting water, masala potatoes and tamarind. The whole thing is eaten with great excitement by most of the Indian Men and woman. It is the main street food for cosmopolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
3. Bhel
Bhel consists of puffed rice, soft and buttery potatoes and chutneys. Totally a unique and easy street food and is popular amongst young people. It is a marriage of crispy masala vermicelli, fresh onions, crispy fried Indian puri, coriander chutney, imli chutney. A dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a refreshing touch. Bombay styled bhel is usually topped with toasted peanuts for extra crunchiness.
You don’t find any beach and chowpati (Indian name for street food market) in India where Bhelwalas (street vendors who sell bhel) doesn’t exist. I had learnt this simple yet flavour-packed recipe from a street vendor in Delhi whom I consider the Bhel Master. I am proud to bring this simple yet unique street food on Swadish street food menu.
4. Pav Bhaji
Vegetables and potatoes are the cornerstone of an Indian household and commercial cooking and Pav Bhaji proved how beautiful this combination can be. Spicy mashed potatoes, Vegetables, sweet red onions, coriander and lemon with loads of butter results in this amazingly curried bhaji sauce which is served with a buttered roll and coriander chutney. The magic ingredient in bhaji is the native Maharashtrian ghati masala. This is the all-time favourite Indian and Swadish street food.
5. Momos
A migratory roadside street food from Tibet and Nepal has become one of the most popular street food in India. Momos are quite similar to Japanese gyoza. Momos are steamed dumpling loaded with hot vegetables or chicken has flavours one just cannot resist while walking on the Indian roads. Momos are eaten with fiery hot chutney made with dry red chillies, vinegar and garlic. I came to love these pockets of love in Himalayan city Darjeeling and love to eat on any given chance.
6. Kachori
One of the most sensational and loved Indian snack. Kachoris are deep-fried flaky bread made with sautéed ground lentils and spices wrapped into pastry made with refined flour. Kachoris are the popular snack of North India and Rajasthan. These are eaten mid-day snack with rasedaar aloo (curried potatoes) you won’t be able to resist.
7. Kathi Roll
Kolkata’s signature Kathi Rolls are made of think and soft tortilla wrap filled with a delectable filling of kebabs or vegetables. Treat your taste buds with these sensational filled wraps in style. Kathi rolls can be stuffed with chicken kebabs, lamb kebabs or crunchy vegetables layered with spiced lip-smacking chutneys and salads. When at Chaupati, a Kathi Roll is a must!
8. Bhalla Papdi Chat
Word ‘Chat’ literally means ‘lick’. This is what actually you end up doing while eating your Bhalla Papdi chat. Bhallas are dumplings made with ground urad lentils, ginger, green chillies and curry leaves and soaked in think sweet yoghurt and spices. Topped with tamarind, green chutney, sultanas and crispy vermicelli makes them stand out of the rest of the street food snacks. The sweet and sour combination makes it the ultimate favourite of everyone.
Making street food is fun and if anyone who has witnessed being in an Indian ”Chowpati” knows how these food stalls make people go out every evening and relish this street food of those expert chefs known as “Rehri-walas”.
Street food at Swadish is inspired by these street food hawkers and chefs at Swadish take this mouth-watering Indian street food goodies to a new level by using the best of the British produce and by presenting in a contemporary way.