Category: Daily Delhicacies

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OLD DELHI- A FOODIE’S HEAVEN

OLD DELHI- A FOODIE’S HEAVEN

It’s not just about the crowded narrow lanes, the old havelis, nor the Red Fort, but it is so much more than all this. Old Delhi appeals many not only because of the above stated reasons among others, but because of the old world charm it still manages to hold. Purani Dilli is like a crowd-puller which calls people even from far off places. It is a hub of so many cultures, traditions, cuisines and has something for each one.

It is most famous for its street food and welcomes everyone who wants to taste the traditional Indian food in desi style! Where else will it be considered a disgrace to have Pani Puri with mineral water and in an air- conditioned restaurant but in Old Delhi? It knows that Pani Puri tastes the best on roadside!

One of the best things about Old Delhi is its flavour. If you really want to taste was an actual plate of Dahi Bhalla or sewaiyyon ka halwa tastes like, Purani Dilli is the place. It has handled the flavours very well and still manages to keep them intact in the dish. I recommend you treat your taste buds here at least once! There is a lot that Old Delhi offers.

After one hectic day, even I set out to satisfy my hunger along with a friend of mine who had never been to the ever glorified Chandni Chowk. We preferred to stroll in the lanes so we could explore more and after quiet a long walk, we landed ourselves in one of the most popular restaurants in Old Delhi, Shiv Mishthan Bhandar. If you go from Red Fort towards Fatehpuri, it’s located in the end at the right side, near Bikanerwala. We went through the menu after being warmly welcomed by the owner, Raja Bhai. Since he told us that Bedmi Puri is the most popular dish, we ordered the same. We also ordered Chole Bhature. The service was pretty good and the food was served hot and in very little time.

DSC04686Jalebi

Hungry as we always are, we smacked the food. Honestly speaking, the puri was a hit. It was hot, crispy and perfectly fried. This hearty dish is fried puffed bread with a mix of lentils and spices. Urad Dal is the main addition to the puri which also makes the texture a little granulated. It is crispier than the normal puri. Some people also add ‘hing’ to the puri for flavour. The red chilli added to the pitthi of Urad dal makes the puri spicy. I would give 8/10 to the puri but only 6/10 to the subzi, since it wasn’t that scrumptious. Salt was in excess in the subzi and it was not even prepared very well. Overall I would rate the dish at 7/10.

After finishing the puri subzi, we dipped our fingers in the chole bhature, which was a better option than the puri subzi, simply because both the bhature and the chole were perfectly made. The bhature were golden brown and and the chole were aptly spiced. The mango pickle with the chole was a great addition. Chole Bhature would get 8/10 from me.

After the enjoyable lunch, we ordered imartis. They are quite similar to jalebis but not totally. Imarti  is made from a variety of urad flour and deep fried in a circular shape. Saffron is also added for colour and afterwards it is dipped in sugar syrup. They are usually yellow- orange in colour due to the saffron.

Perfectly crisp and sweetened imartis put an end to our foodelicious journey.

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Shiv Mishthan offers a fairly large variety of Indian snacks and dishes at quite reasonable prices. The owner, Raja Bhai told us that they cater around 500 people daily and Bedmi Puri is a favourite with all. Hope you grab of the same too!

Meal for two- Rs. 150-200

For further information you can contact

Raja Bhai- 8376825232

Address- 375, Kucha Ghasi Ram, Chandni Chowk, Delhi- 110006.

By Kashish (Foodie Correspondent)

Photo Credit- Piyush Nagpal

 

 

 

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
http://www.delhifoodwalks.com
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Tikki On My Plate

When was the last time you stepped out of the car just to spend some time out of your busy life savouring roadside flavours of chaat?
Well it shouldn’t be hard remembering if you have Bobby Tikki wala in your vicinity. Situated in the hub of Preet vihar (east delhi), the very promising bobby Tikki (popularly called) offers Chat Papri, Mouth Watering Golgappe (Pani Puri), scrumptious Aloo ki Tikki, Mumbai’s Pav Bhaji, etc. which treats everyone”s taste buds really well.

Calling himself a chaat specialist, its owner Mr. Bobby Gupta, takes special interest in explaining his vision to us behind starting up his own range of shudh vegetarian food prepared in pure desi ghee and typical old Delhi”s Chat. He strongly believes that ‘food should not only fill a man’s stomach, it should satisfy his soul and cheer up his heart!’ And with that he treats me with two scrumptious dishes, both being their specialities, the very famous Aloo ki Tikki (must have!) and the irresistible Gol gappe. Needless to mention, he surely kept up to his words.
Extending its boundaries, Bobby Tikki wala has also made a mark for itself in the catering circle of Delhi & NCR. They offer a large Subscribe to: Most Wished For > buy-detox.com/shop/urine-drug-test-detox-pills & Cleansing DietsAfter viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. range of menus to suit every taste and budget. However, they offer custom-made menus too. For, when it comes to catering they believe that your event is as important to them as it is to you.
Gol Gappe
Authentic Chaat Delicacies:
Aloo ki Tikki, Papdi chaat, bhalla papdi, Stuffed gol gappe, pani puri, Mumbai’s pav bhaji, Raj kachori, Veg kathi kabab with roomali roti and more.

Nonetheless their prices are very reasonable and they even offer their freshly prepared food through free home delivery up to 2 km.
So, if you wish to have a snack but strictly on the streets then this is surely the place to be in.

Navani Satija , Foodie Correspondent

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
http://www.delhifoodwalks.com
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FYI

FYI

This Maggi has more to it…

Are you among those who are obsessed about maggi?  If your staple food during school was maggi then “FYI! IT” MAGGI” is just the right place for you.  Situated at Bungalow Road,  FYI is the latest addition to the scores of popular Maggi points situated in North Campus, Delhi University.

This cozy little maggi lounge with its bright yellow and red walls, low height tables placed on dices is not only visually appealing but also the coolest place to hangout with friends. FYI has not only added new flavours to maggi but has given it a whole new meaning. It offers maggi in 15 different avatars each accompanied online casinos by whacky names such as LOL, OMG, BRB, TTYL, WTF etc. WTF is a crispy, crunchy chinese bhel a treat for your taste buds.OMG! Is a creamy, saucy, cheesy pasta a must have for all the pasta lovers. But the king of all avatars of maggi is PS*(a platter of tangy maggi kebabs. Post script: You”ll love it). Crispy on the outside and spicy, juicy and tasty on the inside…this yummy kebab will linger in your mouth even after you have taken the last place and will leave you craving for more.

The pricing has been done keeping in mind the college crowd so the food is available for as low as Rs.25 to highest of Rs.65, so it does help reduce the guilt of consuming so many calories.

With great flavours, quick service and approachable staff FYI is a must visit for all the die hard maggi fans, so the next time you get that maggi craving dont go the conventional way come to FYI and get an absolutely happy MAGGI experience:)

TY (thank you) FYI for reinventing and adding new flavours to our favourite childhood snack

Surabhi Baksi ( foodie correspondent )

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
http://www.delhifoodwalks.com
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JMC HotSpot

image (1)

Set in the midst of the beautiful campus of Jesus and Mary College, lies the major crowd attracting, jam packed place, full of sounds of hustle bustle coming from ladies of different streams as they ogle at the gigantic Coke menu display of the “College Canteen”.

Yes, this is the place where it’s hard to step foot in during the lunch break time, which lasts less than 25 minutes, and generally stays comparatively full to accommodate a good set of about 100 approx seating. The only food resort at such economic prices gives the girls a good munch or two, as they shuffle between lectures, free time and a hungry tummy!

The place got a makeover last year, seeing a change in the core management and an installed Coke sponsorship, which is easily visible as the new food display board boasts of numerous options of both food and beverage to attract a larger audience.

However, most of the items displayed on the board are either not available or sold out. Out of the available options, the hot favorite among students are the Honey chilli Cauliflower and noodles, which to my taste buds are a bit too much on the chilli side, making them necessary to top up this order with a cup of Nestle Iced tea or Cold coffee. For a sumptuous meal, the top picks are Pao Bhaji, Chole Bhature, Rajma Chawal and Dosa. Rajma Chawal can definitely be starred as a constant winner, for it never disappoints, however Pao Bhaji has mixed reviews, and Dosa’s chutney could surely be improved. But for a price ranging between Rs 35-40, these options aren’t a bad deal at all. The biggest disappointment that I tasted was Pasta with Garlic Bread. I ordered the same, hoping to get something worthwhile, but to my shock it wasn’t pasta at all but macaroni combined with two pieces of roasted “pao” buns. Now, really?! That’s what I kept asking myself as I tried to gulp a few bites of this supposedly good dish. Apart from these usual food items, there have been new additions of packed burgers and pizzas, where both are edible, only if you’re really hungry. Else you can give it a miss.

The magic trick that everyone loves to indulge in are the fun flip chips and other packed junk which costs merely 5-10 bucks. The unconventionally different beverage which was recently introduced is fruit beer, which is a popular option to get a hand on, especially in the head burning heat. The other favorite is the Bhelpuri stall, which is set up on the opposite side of the cash counter, serving Bhelpuri, Sev puri and other mouth watering chaat options. I totally loved the Sev puri, and would love to go back again and again for the same, even though it is priced in equivalence of major food items, in the category of Rs 35-40, which is a bit strange to understand.

Overall, the canteen has pushed itself above its prior standards and raised the bar, but still lacks on major grounds of variety in both food as well as beverages. The place could be painted with lighter colors to remove the “dingy” look, and the service speed could be improved to serve all and avoid an unnecessary large crowd which includes pushing people and getting agitated for not getting food and waiting forever. Also, to add to the basic option of aerated drinks and packaged drinks, there can be an inclusion of a fresh juice and milk shake stall, providing economic healthy options to the students. However, keeping these few things in mind, the canteen surely surpasses the level that generally University college canteens maintain, and is a liked option by the neighboring college students of Maitreyi, as compared to their own canteen. Thus, by adding little yard steps, the college canteen can surely become self sufficient to provide a happy shelter to students as they recharge themselves for the remaining part of the day.

By-Ayushi Teotia, Foodie Correspondent

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
http://www.delhifoodwalks.com
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Door to Happiness: THE BIG YELLOW DOOR

After a really long time, I found a place which left me saying ‘WOW’!

Big Yellow Door, even before its official opening, managed to grab many eye balls. The neon yellow door and the mint coloured entrance is where all the curiosity starts building. First time customers might think twice or thrice before going into this café. Reason being, you will always see a queue of people waiting to be served. That just makes it very evident how popular BYD has become in this short span of time.

Finally, after a little struggle, when you do enter BYD, you see creativity in every little corner. You feel that you are in some top notch café of Hauz Khas Village. The interiors are well designed, with beautiful raw craft work in every nook and corner, that you consciously spend some time wondering how old alcohol bottles, old bulbs, books, fairy lights, basic charcoal wall art and paper lamps make an aesthetically pleasing look.

The restaurant offers a varied menu consisting of Italian, Indian and Continental food. At first, it seems like a tasteful copy of The Big Chill Café. From pastas, juicy burgers, to wraps and shakes, you name it and they have it. It is a place where even weight watching becomes a mouth watering delight. The owner wanted to and has successfully ventured into health food in each category.

Amongst the burgers, the most notable item on the menu was the BYD Chicken Cheese Bomb Burger. In beverages, what caught my eye was the Rocky Road shake. As the description says, it is a Dutch truffle blended with chocolate ice cream. It sounded great! And tasted like heaven! The shake makes you go Mmmm.. The richness of the chocolate makes you crave for more. When the burger came, the presentation completely amazed me. Served in a wooden basket, with chips and sauces in cute bowls, it was flawless. And it tasted as per the expectations. Chicken was perfectly cooked, had a piquant taste, the bread was very fresh, sauces were tangy plus spicy.

Last but definitely not the least, the pricing of the food is according to the young clientele. Prices don’t leave a hole in your pocket, portion size stuffs you to the neck, staff welcomes you with a warm smile and a scintillating ambiance. Everything about this place is awesome and makes you want to come here over again and again.

Vishakha Bhaskar,Foodie Correspondent

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
http://www.delhifoodwalks.com
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North Campus Famous Hangouts

You may have had the best cuisines available in Delhi, may have dined in the most posh restaurants but my foodie friend it’s all incomplete till you haven’t tasted Dilli’s food-Dilli’s way- Street way!

Here’s a quick guide for all fucchas of North Campus to the very famous, very affordable TOP 9 places you must visit to satisfy your taste buds because TOP 10 is too mainstream.

 

 

1- Chacha di hatti– Unlike the ordinary chhole bhature, this plate of delight is non-greasy, looks delicious and is served with perfectly fried potatoes, topped with fresh chilies and onions. Kindly carry some patience along because at most times this place is extremely crowded unless and until it’s a holiday or 3 PM, by which it closes.

Personal Recommendation– Chhole Bhature

Price for 2– Rs 50/-

Rated– 4/5

2-Vaishnav Chat Bhandaar– What is more fun than laughing with a mouth full of golgappas! If you are looking for a similar experience, you must try this place that is famous for its flavor-filled chat menu.

(If you crave for chat like I do, you could also try Bitoo Tikki waala in core Kamla Nagar market and this amazing bhelpuri and chat seller who puts his stand right next to Patel Chest Bus Stop.)

Personal Recommendation– Paneer tikka and kulfi faluda

Price for 2– Rs 100/-

Rated– 3.5/5

3-Brijwasi Sweets– Missing home? Missing out on Indian sweets amongst stuffing on junk food? No more to be said. Visit Brijwasi Sweets. Famous for its bottled milk and Indian sweet delights.
Personal Recommendation– Rasgulla and Rasmalai (that they serve in kulhads)

Price for 2– Rs 100

Rated– 3.3/5

4-Bille di hatti– Straight from Lahore, bille di hatti made me taste the most yummy lassi I’ve ever had in my life. If you want to bring out the true Punjabi in you, this huge glass of lassi is all you need. Don’t worry, there is a small steel tumbler available too for the ones with a tiny appetite.

Personal Recommendation– Sweet lassi

Price for 2– Rs 100

Rated– 3.2/5

5-Delhi School of Economics Canteen– Canteen is the best place to find cheap food and happening crowd. A lecture bunked will be worthwhile for mutton cutlets and hot delicious noodles from this canteen. (Other canteens you may try are Rajma Chawal from Ramjas Canteen, Mince cutlets from Stephen’s, IRCTC (Indian railways catering and tourism corporation) food at Arts Faculty college.)

Personal Recommendation– Mutton Dosa and Jelly-cream

Price for 2- Rs 60/-

Rated– 3.5/5

6- For Your Information– For Your Information, For Your Information (FYI) is a Maggie serving point with interesting items on menu that amuse the taste buds and the eyes. Before letting words like TTYL and LOL slip from your tongue, mind it or a waiter might bring forward a bowl of noodles. You guessed it right, these are some entertaining names on the menu.

Personal Recommendation– Anything with Maggie in it

Price for 2– Rs 150

Rated– 3/5

7-Try some Cafes’:

-Chill-m on bungalow road, let’s you chill with board games if your bill crosses Rs 300.

Personal Recommendation– Shooters and mocktails

-Kori’s is a Korean joint on Hudson lake which is famous for its quick grabs, ranging from Rs 50-Rs 200.

Personal Recommendation– Burgers

-Big Yellow Door is yes a big yellow door on your way to Vijay Nagar Market which is famous for its quirky décor and reasonable prices.

Personal Recommendation- Sandwiches and Wraps

8-J.P. Tea Stall and Nandu ki chai– Jai Prakash Tea Stall outside the Delhi School of Economics is the place you’ve been in lookout for if you have uncontrollable urges for Tea and the best part is your non tea drinker friends can also join in for a refreshing Banta. Whearas Nandu is no longer available but as an ode to all the chuski’s of chai sipped there (and ofcourse to mint money), another chai stall famous is outside Law Faculty college, entertaining students and professors alike.

Rated– 3.7/5

9-    Majnu ka teela – Not really sure of why it has been named so but you will surely become a majnu of this Tibetian Market. Spare lots of time and do try Hot Yak Cafe, Tee Dee and Ama Restaurant when you visit there.
Personal Recommendation– Thukpa, Chicken Sausages and fruit beer

Price for 2– Rs 250

Rated– 4/5

– Sanskriti Nagar, NIFT

Foodie Correspondent

 

 

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“Purani Dilli”

Nahari - Delhi Food Walks

For a long time, I have been discussing with my friends about the mouth watering food at Zakhir Nagar. Today, I satisfied my hungry soul after visiting Zakhir Nagar.

I visited “Purani Dilli restaurant” with one of my German friend who is a great foodie. He is studying medicine in Munich but loves oily and spicy food without caring about his arteries. The best way to be at Zakhir Nagar is by rickshaw from Jamia University or Maharani Bagh. The lanes of Zakhir Nagar are engulfed with famous Non- vegetarian eateries.

Nahari - Delhi Food Walks

Purani Dilli has entered into its sixth glorious year in serving mughlai food. The menu starts with “cooking is an art”……and we possess the instinctive art of cooking. Our delicious and mouth watering recipes will bring back the memories of “shahjahanabad”to you. Carefully prepared using original recipes and authentic spices, food at “Purani Dilli” Restaurant is an exquisite treat for a person of refined taste like you.

It indeed was delightful to taste the food of “Purani Dilli”.It was also a pleasant surprise to see the son of the owner of this restaurant , who studies in a school,gracefully eating chicken fry with rumali roti.

Haleem - Delhi Food Walks

We asked for half plates of nahari,haleem and chicken achari. Haleem and Nahari were of Rs 135 each..Haleem was topped with green coriander leaves, crisp onion strips and ginger pieces. They served a plate full of crisp onion strips,gingerpieces,green chillies,lemon and masala, which you can add to Haleem according to your taste. The nahari and Haleem is truly delectable. The spices were up to the mark and one can digest it comfortably without causing harm to the stomach and intestines. Moreover, the meat served over there is soft and it melts inthe mouth like anything.

Kheer - Delhi Food Walks

We rounded up our meal with one of my favourite dessert (Kheer),which was again great in taste.

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Ramzan Food Walk @ Delhi 6

Ramzan Food Walk @ Delhi 6

RAMZAN FOOD WALK

Sudipto Das

The cacophony of sounds and a myriad collection of colours is what surround you when you enter the walled city. Come the holy month of Ramzan and the streets seem drunk with religious fervour.
Pretty eyes looking behind veils, there is a certain mysticism and charm that this place holds on to me. Whether it is the old havelis or the narrow lanes or the enormous number of shops selling food, there is something here for everyone.

Any visit to Ballimaran is incomplete without a visit to the haveli of Urdu poet Mirza ghalib, arguably one of the finest poets to have ever roamed the streets of Delhi. The old haveli has been renovated housing some of the replicas of Ustad’s old belongings as well as a few verses from his shayaris reminding me of a simpler yet bygone era which still feels as if alive in the small rooms.

Stepping out of the haveli and the maddening crowd and the incessant honking of the two wheelers whizzes me back to reality. Walking on in Ballimaran we reach Sapna restaurant, plonking on the seats was a huge relief from the humid weather. We ordered some fried chicken, crispy sesame crusted chicken pieces with green chutney tingled the taste buds. We helped ourselves to some hot taftaan from the shop opposite to Sapna, hot, fluffy, sweet and doused with ghee these were the perfect accompaniment.

On we went to Kabul Zaiqa restaurant, walking down the long narrow passageway, I stop in front of a small room with a wood fired oven and trays of hot bread, upon asking I’m told these are paape, accompaniment to teas. Just out of the oven these are golden brown, fluffy, mildly sweet a perfect teatime essential, which can be the Delhi’s equivalent of Mumbai’s bun. At Kabul Zaiqa there is a sit-down meal in a traditional manner and the menu as to what is prepared for the day. The chicken curry and mutton curry are ordinary at best but what they pride over is the Afghani pulao, flavoursome, not at all spicy and the swollen raisins popping in the mouth with a delicious sweetness. But, the tender meat from the lamb shanks were just melt in the mouth, soft and juicy and truly was a highlight to the meal.

Now was the long walk to Lal kuan for a visit to the famous Ustad moinuddin, famous in the foodie circles and the ustad title given as a mark of reverence to the kebabchi. But en route we stopped to have besan pakode dipped in tamarind chilli chutney titillating the senses. With pakode the older members of the groups longed for their evening cup of chai. And everyone munched on bakery biscuits with their frothy cuppas.

Ustad moinuddin, sells buff kebab opposite to the Hamdard dawakhana. Even after buying a shop he prefers to sit by the sidewalk and sell his kebabs. Succulent, spicy kebabs with the grizzled fat are topped with sliced onions and ginger slivers with a fiery chutney, jumpstarts the palate. Come 7:30 pm, Ustad moinuddin is a must visit for a taste of the old world.

One of the disappointments of the evening was to find Bade miyan kheer shop closed. So twisting and turning our way through the maddening crowd and stopping along to keep count of the people with us and mppve along as a group, we made our way to Aslam’s in matia mahal. With half of the eatery being under renovation, there was a maddening rush at the counter, with orders being shouted by the hungry horde at the top of their voice. We managed to get our order but with lack of seating decided to eat in front of the shop, with grilled chicken in a yoghurt and masala, topped with a generous helping of golden melted butter. The buttery, tangy, spicy goodness just hits the spot. This butter chicken is bound to put a smile across anyone’s face.

Travelling back towards Jama masjid, we stopped for shahi tukda and kheer. The sweet burnt caramel crusty tukda delicious in its entirety, made me go on for more bites giving me asbestos tongue for the remaining evening. The kheer mildly sweet and cold was a saviour for the warrior tongue.

Walking towards chawri bazar crossing and squeezing between cars and trucks. We stopped for kuliya ki chaat, assorted fruits and vegetables hollowed out and filled with spices, boiled chickpea and pomegranate. One bite and what hits you is the sour salty lime and the sweetness coming through later. Having tried earlier the novelty of eating kulle has died down for me and I don’t find them extra ordinary but, for the uninitiated it is a welcome surprise.

On we went to kucha pati ram, and finding the Kuremal shop closed, anubhav called on one of the numbers on the billboard hanging over the shop, and the store owner opened up the shop for us, to smaple all that he had to offer. We tried akmost all they had to offer aam panna, mango, jamun, imli, litchi, chickoo , pachranga. With the kulfis brimming with the freshness of the fruits, Kuremal is an institution when it comes to savour some cold desserts in Delhi, holding on to their own against the onslaught of frozen mass produced ice cream brands. My personal favourite was the Paan with betel leaves and refreshing paan flavour. It was the proverbial end of a meal stretching across the breadth of chandni chowk.

All in all going during ramzan to chandni chowk is an altogether different experience than any other day. Whether it be the call of the muezzin or the Gareeb Niwaz restaurant serving the poor and the needy or a tired lonely figure trying to sort out a bottleneck jam, or the humongous mounds of sevaiya. A walk in the chandni chowk is always a unique experience. So after 6 hours, with a walk started with strangers we part as friends.

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