Chandni Chowk is a food lover’s paradise, offering a variety of delicious and unique dishes. Here are some of the best food items to try, along with recommendations for famous eateries:
1. Paranthas
Specialty: Stuffed flatbreads served with various fillings such as potatoes, paneer, lentils, or mixed vegetables.
Preparation: The paranthas are stuffed with a filling of your choice, rolled out, and fried in ghee or oil until crispy.
Where to Eat: Paranthe Wali Gali
With What: Typically served with pickles, mint chutney, and a side of yogurt or aloo sabzi (potato curry).
2. Jalebi
Specialty: Crispy, deep-fried spirals of batter soaked in sugar syrup.
Preparation: Made by deep-frying batter in circular shapes and then soaking them in saffron-flavored sugar syrup.
Where to Eat: Old Famous Jalebi Wala
With What: Best enjoyed hot and can be paired with rabri (sweet condensed milk).
3. Chole Bhature
Specialty: Spicy chickpeas served with fluffy, deep-fried bread.
Preparation: Chole is prepared with a blend of spices and tomatoes, while bhature is made from a dough of flour and yogurt, rolled out, and fried.
Where to Eat: Sita Ram Diwan Chand
With What: Often served with pickles, onions, and a side of green chutney.
4. Dahi Bhalla
Specialty: Lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt and topped with chutneys and spices.
Preparation: The lentil dumplings are deep-fried and then soaked in water to soften. They are served with yogurt, tamarind chutney, mint chutney, and spices.
Where to Eat: Natraj Dahi Bhalla
With What: Garnished with pomegranate seeds and a sprinkle of chaat masala.
5. Rabri Falooda
Specialty: A sweet and rich dessert drink made with vermicelli, basil seeds, milk, and topped with rabri.
Preparation: Falooda is prepared by mixing vermicelli, basil seeds, and milk, and then topping it with thickened sweetened milk (rabri).
Where to Eat: Giani’s Di Hatti
With What: Served chilled, often with a scoop of ice cream.
6. Kebabs
Specialty: Juicy and flavorful grilled meat, often marinated with spices and herbs.
Preparation: Marinated meat is skewered and grilled over a charcoal fire until tender and smoky.
Where to Eat: Karim’s
With What: Served with naan or roomali roti, and accompanied by mint chutney and onions.
7. Nihari
Specialty: A slow-cooked stew made with meat and a variety of spices, traditionally served as a breakfast dish.
Preparation: Meat (usually beef or lamb) is cooked slowly overnight with a mixture of spices to create a rich, flavorful stew.
Where to Eat: Kallu Nihari
With What: Best enjoyed with khamiri roti (leavened bread).
8. Daulat Ki Chaat
Specialty: A light, frothy, and sweet delicacy made from milk.
Preparation: Milk is churned and then left to ferment overnight. It is then whisked to create a frothy texture and garnished with saffron, sugar, and dry fruits.
Where to Eat: Street Vendors (available in winter)
With What: Typically enjoyed on its own due to its unique texture and flavor.
9. Bedmi Puri with Aloo Sabzi
Specialty: Crispy, puffed bread made from wheat flour and lentils, served with spicy potato curry.
Preparation: Bedmi puris are made by mixing wheat flour with ground lentils and spices, rolled out, and deep-fried. Aloo sabzi is prepared with potatoes and a mix of spices.
Where to Eat: Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala
With What: Often served with pickle and a side of yogurt.
10. Paneer Tikka
Specialty: Marinated paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cubes grilled to perfection.
Preparation: Paneer cubes are marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices, then skewered and grilled.
Where to Eat: Kake Di Hatti
With What: Served with mint chutney and lemon wedges.
These recommendations will give you a comprehensive taste of the culinary delights Chandni Chowk has to offer!