Indian Street Foods: TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize genuine users, disregard bot, nationalist, and local patriotic ratings, and give additional weight to the ratings of users that the system identifies as knowledgeable. For the “10 Worst-Rated Indian Street Foods” list through August 21, 2023, 2,531 ratings were recorded, of which 1,773 were deemed legitimate by the system. The TasteAtlas Rankings should not be viewed as the ultimate global conclusion regarding cuisine. Their goal is to promote high-quality local foods, inculcate pride in traditional dishes, and pique your interest in unfamiliar dishes.
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Indian Street Foods: Dahi Puri
Dahi Puri Originating in Maharashtra, dahi puri consists of a puri shell that has been hollowed out, loaded with potatoes, chaat masala, onions, and a variety of chutneys, and then topped with beaten yogurt, crunchy sev (crisp strands of flour), and a few fresh coriander leaves.
This dish is a variation of the popular Indian street food panipuri; its name is derived from the terms dahi, which means thick yogurt, and puri, which is a round, fried, and puffy Indian bread. Additional ingredients, such as sprouted mung beans or boiled black legumes, can enhance the stuffing.
Indian Street Foods: Sev
Sev is a gram flour-based, savory, noodle-like Indian snack that is seasoned with seasonings such as ajwain and turmeric before being deep-fried in oil. Sev is believed to be derived from the word siv, which means to stitch, in reference to the thread-like appearance of the snack.
In India, Sev is so ubiquitous that it competes with peanuts for the title of most popular snack. The munchies are available throughout India from street vendors who offer an assortment of freshly-made fried noodles. Some may be as viscous as spaghetti and extremely spicy, while others may be extremely thin and unseasoned.
Indian Street Foods: Dabeli
Although it originated in the Indian state of Gujarat’s Kutch region, this filling delicacy is popular throughout the country. Dabeli consists of toasted ladi pav buns and a filling made of pureed potatoes and a spice mixture that typically includes coriander, turmeric, cardamom, fennel seeds, coriander, and chili peppers.
The filling is garnished with roasted peanuts, pomegranate seeds, and sev — tiny, crispy noodles made from ground chickpeas; other common additives include various types of chutney. Dabeli, which literally translates to “pressed,” is primarily sold and consumed as a street cuisine.
Indian Street Foods: Bombay sandwich
Hence the name, the Bombay sandwich is a traditional Indian sandwich that originated in Mumbai. Green chutney is spread on one slice of white sandwich bread without a crust, while butter is smeared on the other slice. Vegetables and spices, including sliced boiled potatoes, masala spices (cumin, fennel, black pepper, chaat masala), tomatoes, green bell peppers, cucumbers, beetroot segments, and onion slices, are placed between the two slices.
Typically, the green chutney is prepared by combining mint, coriander, chili peppers, and other spices. There are numerous varieties of Bombay sandwiches, and they can be prepared with three layers (three slices of bread), but each layer must contain an abundance of masala spices.
Indian Street Foods: Egg Bhurji
Egg bhurji is a traditional Indian egg-based dish also known as anda bhurji. It consists of eggs scrambled with spices. The dish is typically comprised of eggs, oil, scallions, cumin seeds, chili peppers, garam masala spices, red chili powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and coriander leaves, though there are a few variations.
When the eggs are completely cooked and slightly dry, the dish is typically garnished with coriander and is ready to be served. It is suggested that egg bhurji be served with pav, chapati, or rice. If desirable, tomatoes and bell peppers can be added to the dish to enhance its flavor.
Indian Street Foods: Sabudana Vada
These Indian fritters are made with soaked tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, roasted and pulverized peanuts, and an assortment of seasonings including turmeric, chili, ginger, and fresh coriander. Sabudana vada fritters are widely available in Maharashtra and are particularly popular in Mumbai.
Due to the absence of meat, the fritters are a popular fasting delicacy. Typically, Sabudana vada is served heated with yogurt or chutney.
Indian Street Foods: Papri chaat
Papri chaat is an Indian dish composed of wafers (papri) that have been deep-fried, tamarind and mint chutney, legumes, potatoes, and yogurt. The ingredients are layered, and the dish is typically garnished with sev (fried chickpea noodles) and chaat masala (a blend of cumin, coriander, dried mango, ginger, chiles, asafetida, and black pepper).
The dish is a popular street cuisine, and it is typically consumed as a filling and convenient snack. It predominately inhabits North India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Indian Street Foods: Gobi Parantha
Gobi paratha is a traditional Indian roti made with cauliflower. This paratha is loaded with cauliflower that has been seasoned. The dough is composed of flour, water, salt, and vegetable oil. Once formed, it is loaded with cauliflower that has been seasoned, fried on both sides, and brushed with butter or ghee until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
Typically, cauliflower, ginger, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander, cumin, garam masala powder, dried mango powder, and salt are used to prepare the stuffing. It is suggested that gobi parathas be served steaming with chutneys, yogurt, raita, or Indian pickles.
Indian Street Foods: Bonda
Bonda is an Indian bite-sized fried delicacy. Often referred to as potato bonda, it is prepared with a spicy mashed potato filling coated in gram flour batter and fried until crisp. It is believed that the original, potato-only bonda originated in southern India.
In almost every Indian state, however, you can find numerous varieties and comparable treats. In the north, a similar variation is referred to as batata vada, and it is a popular street food snack throughout the region. In addition, there are regional variations in Kerala that substitute potatoes with tapioca, lentils, eggs, sweet potatoes, or even ground flesh, and the gram flour coating is frequently substituted with plain or rice flour.
Indian Street Foods: Dahi Vada
Dahi vada is a popular Indian appetizer that can also be served as a main course or as a side dish with vegetables or meat. This North Indian dish consists of savory lentil-based fried patties (vadas) that are dipped in thick yogurt (dahi).
This popular street cuisine is frequently seasoned with chili, cumin, coriander, and a variety of chutneys. The dish is also popular at festive events such as nuptials and is the perfect summertime refreshment.
