From spicy snacks to satiating sweet treats, Indian street food is as vibrant and diverse as the country itself. Here are ten epic Indian street foods you need to try.
There are a few things India is known for rich and diverse culture, deep-rooted spirituality, breathtaking nature and landscapes, and, of course, great food.
Some of the best food can be found from humble street vendors that line the city streets. You’ll be blown away by the sheer amount of epic spots serving up a delightful array of treats and snacks that are sure to satisfy your tastebuds.
From filling lunchtime bites to delicious sweet snacks, you’ll be overwhelmed by the diverse range of flavours on offer. To help narrow down your options, we’re revealing the top ten best Indian street foods you need to try.
10. Lassi – a delicious creamy yogurt drink
Kicking off our list of epic Indian street foods you need to try is a popular yoghurt drink that you’ll find all across the country.
Known as lassi, this satisfying dessert-style drink is traditionally made with a sour buttermilk-style curd and water, served either sweet or salty.
Sweet versions are also available with popular flavourings such as rose, mango, and strawberry.
10. Vada Pav – a Mumbai staple
At lunchtime in Mumbai, you’ll find locals flocking to the nearby Khau gallis for some freshly cooked Vada Pav. This traditional snack originates from the region of Maharashtra and consists simply of a deep-fried potato patty, known as a vada, served in a fluffy white bun, known as a pav.
To add some flavour, Vada Pavs often come with a selection of chutneys of varying spice levels. To get delicious street foods in Mumbai, here are five epic spots you should check out.
8. Kachori – a festival staple and lunchtime favourite
Originating in Rajasthan, Kachori is another hugely popular lunchtime snack across India.
Consisting of a deep-fried pastry filled with a spicy mix of lentils, vegetables, potatoes, and peas, this tasty snack can be found at most street vendors nationwide.
7. Aloo Tikki – India’s answer to a hash brown
Aloo means potato, and it’s one of the most popular ingredients in Indian cuisine. Particularly across the north of the country, you’ll find also it as a staple part of everything from curries to savoury snacks and even bread.
Aloo Tikki is a delicious fritter-type dish made from deep-fried mashed potatoes mixed with various herbs and spices. It is often served with spicy dipping sauces and chutneys.
6. Chaat – refers to a wide variety of savoury snacks
Browsing the snack shops and street food vendors, you’ll be greeted with a vast variety of chaat. This refers to delicious savoury snacks made from ingredients such as potato, chickpea, and deep-fried dough.
One of the most popular chats is bhel puri, which features crunchy puffed rice, fried chickpea noodles, puri, chana dal, vegetables, and spices. You can also find sev puri, chole chaat, and papdi chaat.
5. Samosa – one of the most iconic Indian street foods you need to try
If you’re a fan of Indian food, even in the West, this is one snack you’ll probably recognize. An Indian samosa is a triangular-shaped pastry packed with a variety of delicious fillings, most often aloo and matar with spices, and deep-fried.
A great afternoon snack or small lunch, samosas often have delicious spicy chutneys for dipping.
4. Jalebi – perfect for the sweet tooth
If you’ve got a penchant for the sweeter things in life, then you’ll be more than happy with the selection of sweet treats available from India’s best street food vendors.
One of the most popular sweet treats you’ll find at stalls across the country is jalebi, a sweet and crispy fried batter soaked in a rich and flavourful sugar syrup. Delicious!
3. Pav Bhaji – another Maharashtra favourite
If you’re browsing Mumbai’s iconic street food stalls, you won’t be hard-pressed to find a portion of pav bhaji.
This popular dish is a top choice among locals looking for a cheap and tasty lunch. Spicy and flavourful, pav bhaji features a tasty vegetable mash made with various spices and served with a fresh and fluffy buttered bread roll.
2. Masala Chai – you’ll find the best chai at the side of the road
The national drink of India, Masala Chai, is enjoyed in the morning, afternoon, and night. A delicious mix of Assam black tea and milk with various aromatic herbs and spices, including ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon, it’s not hard to see why chai is so beloved across the country.
Sweet and spicy, you’ll find the best examples of this delicious, warming beverage from roadside vendors brewing pots full of the stuff all day.
1. Pani Puri – a little snack that packs a punch
Also known as puchka or golgoppa, depending on where you are in the country, pani puri is undoubtedly one of the best and most popular Indian street foods.
Made from a hollow, crispy semolina ball deep-fried with spicy and tangy tamarind water, potato, chickpeas, and spices, this snack is designed to be eaten in one go. It offers an explosion of flavour in your mouth and makes the whole experience one you won’t forget.
We agree that street foods in India are spectacular! But these fantastic, sumptuous street foods aren’t the only things to enjoy when you visit India. So, check out these 20 best things to do in India before you die.
Related: Top 10 best cities for street food