The 7 Must-Try Street Foods In India

Street food in India is an essential part of experiencing the country and culture. When it comes to street food, each Indian city has its own specialty. From chole (chickpeas) in Punjabi to Pani Puri in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, you’re spoilt for choice.

There’s hundreds of regional dishes, but we’ve rounded up the most commonly found and delicious Indian street food dishes that you simply have to try when in the country. Use common sense and buy from vendors who are cooking things fresh to order and you should be just fine.

The 7 Must-Try Street Foods In India, How do these rankings work?

1. Chhole Bhature

This popular dish in the Punjab region is a mixture of a spicy chickpea curry and fried flat bread. Chhole bhature is often eaten as a breakfast dish.

2. Lassi

Lassi is refreshing drink that you’ll find all across India. It’s a blend of yoghurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit. You can have salted or sweet lassi, as well as a tasty mango version.

3. Momos

Momos are Tibetan dumplings that are popular in northern India. The options are are endless – momos can be meat, vegetarian, steamed (the most popular), fried, or even cooked in soup.

4. Dabeli

This is a popular street snack in Banglore and Kutchh, Gujarat. It’s a sandwich where a spicy potato mix with different chutneys is between soft Indian buns (lav). It’s topped with crispy fried noodle bits, chopped onions, spicy peanuts and pomegranate seeds.

5. Dosa

Dosas are crispy, savoury pancakes from South India. Go with a traditional spicy potato filling, or pick toppings of your choice (you can usually choose from peppers, baby corn, spinach, mushroom, peas, cauliflower, or paneer.)

6. Aloo Chaat

Aloo chaat is one of the most popular street foods in India, with potatoes, sweet sour spicy chutneys & sev (crispy fried rice noodle pieces). It’s one dish you’ll see in pretty much every city in India. It’s perfect for any time of day and is super delicious.

7. Galouti Kebabs

Head to Lucknow for its most famous street food: these tender, spicy meaty kebabs. The word ‘galouti’ means “the thing that melts in the mouth” and that’s just what they do. Street vendors mince and spice the meat before shaping it into a flat ball and frying it.