Street food has always been a huge hit among the masses. Travel back in time and remember the good ol’ days when your grandmother narrated those tales of food at bedtime. Those were the days of road-side vendors selling ‘Paan Kulfi’ on a betel leaf placed on an ice brick or a ‘Bheega Kulcha’ – a spongy bread with a generous topping of Punjabi Chole or chickpeas gravy garnished with coriander leaf and onions.
Indian street food has traveled a long way in the post-Independence era and has enticed foodies all over the world mainly for its spiciness and tanginess. From Bhelpuri and Gol Gappa to Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji, popular road side snacks have a tongue-tingling effect on food lovers’ palettes.
Over the years, street food culture in India has evolved – the food carts are sturdier, the turban-clad man has been replaced by the young boy and there have been foreign inclusions in the family. And of course, the new members of the Indian street food clan are yummier, tastier and completely irresistible!
Here’s a sneak peek into the world of new-generation street food:
Momos
Whether fried or steamed, they are one of the most loved street foods of Generation X. Popularly also known as, ‘Dumplings’ in many fancy restaurants, Momos originate from our neighbor country, Nepal. Usually stuffed with meat, veggies or cheese, these tiny dough pockets are zesty, wholesome and the perfect comfort food. Highly popular inNorth India, hot steaming momos are a favorite among college students primarily because of the pocket-friendly pricing. And if you want to dig further, ask any Delhite who will swear to the classic combination of Momos with fruit beer at Dilli Haat!
Burger
This Continental mouthful of indulgence of cheese, potatoes, meat and mayonnaise was first rolled in the Indian market by food giants like McDonald’s, Wimpys and Nirula’s. Today – believe it or not – these juicy wonders have a desi replica too. Sold as ‘hot dogs’ in major parts of Uttar Pradesh, Indianised burgers are laced with green mint chutney, meethi saunth, jam and of course the potato patty. For all those who crave a deadly combo of juicy burger and flavorsome street food, this is the perfect treat!
Chowmein
This Indo-Chinese dish is as easily available at a posh restaurant as it is at your local Chinese van and is relished by all with equal gusto. These food vans are similar to a modern day ‘chaat thela’ serving a host of Chinese delicacies like chowmein, spring rolls, chopsuey and manchurian etc. Considering the extreme popularity among foodies, this lip-smacking Chinese version of fast food is one of the most popular quick bites in India today.
Sandwiches
Now if you have never eaten a Mumbai Sandwich, then you are missing out on some serious food fun! Ideal for breakfast, afternoon snack, lunch or dinner, these sandwiches are small pieces of heaven. A typical sandwich usually has tangy coriander chutney on one slice, butter on the other, a filling that includes tomatoes, onion, potatoes and cucumber and just a hint of chaat masala. And if you are a bit picky, then the Sandwichwallah will even customise it for you. What more do you need? Try it out sometime!
Pizza
The last in the food chronology is ‘Italian pizza’. A house-hold word today, Pizza has various interpretations in the Indian kitchen. Be it the oven-baked flat base Indian toppings pizza or south Indian styled Pizza dosa, this one is a mouthwatering twist to popular Italian dish. So, bake it or shallow fry it, we Indians simply love it cheesy!
With so many gastronomic additions to Indian street food in the recent past, the foodnomics of the country is getting bigger and better by the day. So, hold steady, buckle up and tuck into this yummy food. And of course there’s always room for more foreign food on Indian streets!
By: Neha Saraiya
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