Do you know what the best thing about Delhi? Every nook and corner here scream of food. Delhi is now home to people from all over the country, and it is this fact that makes Delhi a great place for foodies. It is due to this fact that one can’t categorise Delhi in some specific food bracket. Delhi is an amalgamation of North Indian, Mughlai, Punjabi, Chinese, Lucknowi, South Indian and many other cuisines. Such is the craze for food among Delhiites, that you would find every single person’s love list having one common word and that is food. It is because of this that you would discover Delhi hoarded with one of the most excellent restaurants, hotels, budget eating places and at the same time an infinite number of hawkers and vendors each selling a delicacy to satiate the hunger pangs of Delhiites.
So, when in Delhi, you’re supposed not just to marvel the tourist spots, but also hog on the food that Delhi offers you until you’re full up to the brim.
Punjabi cuisine is one of the most important and widely found cuisines in Delhi. Right from Chole Bhature to Butter Chicken, Stuffed Parantha to Kadi and Rajmah Chawal, Chicken Tikkas to Makki ki Roti and Sarson ka Saag, Lassi to Buttermilk, one can find that Punjabi cuisine has secured it’s placed right in the heart of Delhi. Be it places like Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Paranthe wali Gali, etc. you can find these delicacies nestled at every nook and corner, and each treat is splendid as compared to the previous place where you had tasted it.
Next in the line is our very own Mughlai cuisine. Once upon a time, Mughals ruled the whole of Delhi, and since that period we were hooked to their food. Kebabs, Biryani, Gilouti Kebab, butter paneer masala, soya chaap, kulfi and gulab jamun are few delicacies that you will find in every menu. Such is the craze for this cuisine that every Delhiite at least once in his or her lifetime has tasted all of these dishes and must have said yum… So, don’t forget to check out Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and Dayraganj for these dishes.
Another cuisine that has a presence in the menu cards of Delhi food life since the days of yore is Chinese. Ah! Those mouth-watering Momos, Hakka Noodles, Manchurian, Manchow Soup, Spring Rolls… I mean, who can ever get enough of them. With Delhi becoming a hub for professionals, one can find numerous food trucks that sell these delicious dishes and trust me; they’re as good as any Chinese Dish from a fancy restaurant. After all, who would mind having their share of China in the Capital City? Isn’t your mouth watering already?
Ok, be honest and tell me how many times in a month you have a craving for crispy dosas, steamed idlis, crunchy medhu vada, piping hot sambhar and that yummy coconut chutney? Well, I eat South Indian cuisine at least thrice a month. And I can never get enough of it. Even though places like Saravana Bhawan, Sagar Ratna, Carnatic Café and Naivedyam serve the most delicious South Indian cuisine, it is the kiosks at roadsides where you should try these delicacies at least once in your life. Delhi is full of such kiosks, and their preparation is just beyond words. You can taste the flavours dripping in your every bite.
Apart from this, you would also find the cuisines of other states like Rajasthani cuisine (Gatte ki sabzi, Dal baati churma), Mumbai delicacies (Vada Pao, Pao Bhaji, Golgappe), Bengali cuisine (Rosogulla, Doi Maach) are some dishes that are worth mentioning.
So, this is all about Delhi’s food culture. A food culture that is rich and unique in its way. It has something for everyone. You would find something to satisfy your hunger pangs. Delhi food culture is all about the traditions and customs that have mixed over a while, and this is what makes Delhi and the Food Culture of Delhi loved all around the world. Hence, just like it’s essential to visit the place once, you should also make it a point that you eat here. After all, isn’t Delhi all about food?
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