In this article, I am going to provide you with The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food for First-Time Visitors, including which one’s are safe to eat and which one’s will likely make you sick.
India is filled with famous attractions. Everything from the Taj Mahal, backwaters of Kerala, green hilltops filled with tea plantations, and so many Mughlai monuments, one could only imagine the days of extravagant banquets and elephants parading alongside of tigers.
Today, many of these attractions that have become world-famous among luxury and backpacking travelers alike is the food, including enjoying the The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food for First-Time Visitors. Indian Street food is synonymous with aromatic spices, deep-tomato and onion gravies, and gooey butter garlic naan bread. If you’re a first time visitor, India’s street food is an unforgettable part of the cultural experience when navigating this complex country.
My work with co-founding Fazl Socks has taken me through many parts if India over the last decade. I have sat with families in their living rooms, with nomatic Rajasthani’s in their tents—all shared with their goats and a TV—and with some of the most elite businessmen and diplomatis in this country. My experiences with each and every person has always brought some form of food. I along with my family reside in the Himalayas. This is where we have a completely different kind of street food. Mainly, momo’s and thupka. Momo’s are a delcous fast food from most dhabas in the Himalayas, which are dumplings stuffed with their veg, chicken, or mutton. My personal favorite is the mutton. Thupka on the other hand is a bowl of noodles in mutton-broth soup and it usually contains turnip and chunks of mutton meat. There is also the option of a mix thupka, which has momos inside the soup as well.
Why Indian Street Food is a Must-Try
These are Gulab Jamun’s shaped like a Jalebi
Street food in India is a window into traditions and cultures throughout this sub-contenant.
How to Eat Street Food Safely in India (Top Tips)
I’m going to give you a few pointers om what to look out for when diving into The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food for First-Time Visitors. These are very important as it could protect your health from serious bugs that often leave foreigners sick:
- CROWDS ARE GOOD! First of all, always look for the crowded places. This is particular true when eating meat! Crowded places usually mean that the best food is to be found there, and the freshest. When eating something with meat in India, especially street food, always make sure to eat from a place that offers freshly cut meat that hasn’t been sitting out. You can even watch the cooking process at many of these places found in the local markets (Old Delhi, for example).
- DRY KITCHENWARE. If the vendor hands you a plate that isn’t disposable, make sure you take a napkin (or a tissue as everyone calls it in India) and dry the plate. You do not want water on your plate, as this water is likely unfiltered and dirty, which can cary serous diseases. Make sure you do this with your cups and utensils too.
- NO RAW FOODS! I know for the salad lovers out there this is a tough one to hear. Unless you’re staying at a very high-end chain such as the Oberoi or the Taj, avoid raw foods. The general rule would be—if you can’t peel it, don’t eat it. With that being said, if you’re in someone’s kitchen and you’re able to wash it yourself with filtered water and some good soap, then it’s unlikely you’ll get sick. But just remember, it’s at your own risk.
- WATER. Either bring your own filtered water or order bottled water. In India, bottled water is call Mineral Water. If you’re eating an a high-end restaurant in a mall or market, then Normal Water is usually fine. Just confirm that it’s RO Water (or, RO Pani), and do not take ice.
Must-Try Street Foods by Region
1. North India
-
Delhi: Chole Bhature, Aloo Tikki, Golgappa, Butter Chicken, Anything Tandoori (Paneer, Fish, Chicken, Mutton). If you’re interested in learning where to explore some exciting street food, make sure to check out my Article called, The Belly of the Bazaar: Old Delhi’s Hidden Flavor Trail
-
Amritsar: Kulcha, Lassi
2. West India
-
Mumbai: Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji, Bhel Puri
-
Ahmedabad: Dhokla, Fafda, Jalebi
3. South India
-
Chennai: Idli, Dosa, Sundal
-
Kerala: Parotta with buff curry
4. East India
-
Kolkata: Kathi Rolls, Puchka, Egg Devil
-
Assam: Momos, Thukpa (in Tibetan areas, including HP and LA)
Street Food Packing List
There are some important things that you will need on-hand when venturing into the depths of The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food for First-Time Visitors. While you will find some of the most exciting things, sanitation is lacking when it comes to food preparation and overall astetics. For this reason, it is essential tyo carry 5 important things with you while eating street food in India:
-
“Stomach Kit” (Activated charcoal, Probiotics, Oral rehydration salts)
-
Antibacterial wipes
-
Hand sanitizer
-
Tissue (to avoid using shared napkins)
-
Reusable filtered bottle
Have fun eating street food in India! If you would like to keep up to speed with new areas to explore, new foods to try, other places in India, subscribe to my newsletter and I promise to provide you with weekly ideas and content that will make your mouth water.