Chhole bhature, rajma chawal, butter chicken, kadhai paneer- these are the items we *think* Delhi has to offer. But the capital city’s food culture is truly vast and if you move past the cliches, you will be rewarded with a unparalleled feast. Apart from the popular niche cuisine restaurants serving gourmet food from different parts of the world, Delhi has some amazing and unique food experiences to offer. Here, we list the best of them.
Laping in Majnu Ka Tila
Laping is a Tibetan cold soup consisting of noodles made of soyabean flour paste or potato starch and mung bean paste. A spicy summer food which you will get addicted to, it is sold for around 30 rupees by street vendors. Containing soy sauce and chilli paste, among other oils and condiments, it is just the quick bite you need when you’re broke.
Phuchkas and other Bengali food in CR Park
Chittaranjan Park is the like a mini Bengal, with sweet shops, fresh fish sellers, and mom and pop shops selling egg rolls and fish cutlets. For lovers of Bengali food, this is the ultimate destination. However, even if you aren’t a fan of that, the delicious spicy and flavourful chaat, especially phuchka, is the most crunchy, potato-packed, tangy bite you can’t miss from CR Park.
Daulat ki chaat in Chandni Chowk
Ever heard of this fabled frothy and creamy dessert “Makhan Malai” from parts of UP? Well, you can sample some of the deliciousness in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk during winter, when it is traditionally made in earthen pots. Melting into the mouth, it is like a foamy kesar pista kulfi with just the right amount of sweetness.
Mutton biryani in Jama Masjid
Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kerala, and countless other parts of India have their own kind of biryani. Mughal culture, which was intrinsic to Delhi’s history, also has its own variation of biryani, which is why there are numerous places to sample it in the city. Among them, an inexpensive plate of Taufeeq’s biryani is famous among those acquainted with the narrow bylanes of the crowded Jama Masjid area.
Authentic Vietnamese delicacies in Green Park
Delhi is not exactly teeming with non-Indianised, non-Chinese, non-spicy Asian food options. That is why the food at Little Saigon, a small restaurant run by a Vietnamese chef and her family, is an experience. From summer rolls to fresh specials everyday, the tiny place is an honest expression of Vietnamese culture beyond pho.
Cheap continental food in Paharganj
Pizza, falafel, sizzlers, schnitzel- you name it and it is there in Paharganj at outrageously cheap prices. Despite the ambience being an acquired taste in most places, the rooftop views, bohemian fairy lights and rustic décor, and well-prepared food is hugely popular.
Momos at Yashwant Place
Right in front of the snazzy Chanakya Mall are rows of small food stalls with a variety of momo options for every palate. The mutton and pork momos are juicy, huge, and well worth the wait. Good luck finishing a plate and not falling into a food coma!
Shawarmas at PVR Anupam
The most popular shawarma joint in Delhi, the small Lebanese shawarma stall in this complex in Saket is always crowded. The salty and tangy mayo and pickled radishes are great addition to the meat-loaded bites which are famous all over Delhi for their unique seasoning.
Spicy Naga curries and other North Eastern delicacies in Humayunpur
A string of North Eastern restaurants in this part of Safdarjung Enclave give Delhiites a taste of epic smoked pork, red rice, snail curry (for which you need to hit up Categorical Eat Pham) and even chicken and fish curries cooked with greens common in parts of the North East. If you’re heading to the area, make sure to demand extra spicy and sour aloo chutney!
South Indian food, ranging from pure veg meals to meat-filled ones, in Munirka
While most people know of the quick and reliable Udupi in Munirka, few are aware of the Kerala fish fry and coastal food available there. The place to hit up for fresh, authentic, and inexpensive South Indian food in a variety of regional variations, it is quite a surprise.
Korean joints in Safdarjung Enclave and Green Park
Kori’s, Gung the Palace, and Restaurant De Seoul in Ansal Plaza nearby are just some of the many Korean restaurants in Green Park. Tuna kimbaps, Korean barbecues, delicious bulgogi, and healthy bibimbap are just some of the many bites of Korean food you get here.
Waffles in GTB Nagar
The student hub in Delhi University’s North Campus, GTB Nagar, is FULL of places offering a variety of waffles. From entire shops dedicated entirely to waffles, to multi-cuisine joints famous for their take on the item, there is no way you can live there and not have enjoyed a few too many crunchy waffles.
Authentic Japanese in Gurgaon
Delhi has a host of sushi places, but most people in the city are woefully unaware of the existence of a variety of Japanese restaurants in Gurgaon, where Japanese businessmen bring their friends and family for a taste of home food.
