Street Food India: The best of local delights from all over the country

 India is a diverse country boasting of various cultures and communities. A product of this culture is the food we have. It is rightly said that street food of every area is a representation of the culture of that place. It is the food of the local people and of each city across our country, who is proud of their roadside delicacies. Here are food items picked from states across India, that you will definitely want to add to your eating bucket list.

Chhole Bathure

We can all agree on how Delhi has the best street food in India. But the winning food item is probably chhole bathure. Chane in spicy sauce and crisp, hot puris; accompanied with pickle, onion and lemon. Isn't only the mention of it enough to bring water to one's mouth?

Chow Mein

Chow Mein basically includes desi chinese, whose taste and ingredients are only 20% Chinese and 80% Indian. It comprises of hakkah noodles, fried rice, manchurian balls and schezwan appetizers. Chow Mein is found across all cities in India though it is dominant in Delhi, Mumbai and North Eastern states.

Poha Jalebi

This scrumptious treat is Madhya Pradesh's highlight and the best thing Indore has to offer. Usually savoury and sweet doesn't go together but they manage to create an artful dish out of it. You can't afford to miss this lip-smacking delicacy if you visit the heart of India as the streets are filled with poha and jalebi shops.

Litti Chhoka

Litti Chhoka comes from the states of Jharkhand and Bihar. Litti is a dough ball dripping with ghee while Chhoka is a blend of eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes and other veggies. This culinary delight is the signature dish of the states it belongs to.

Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki is mostly a North Indian dish but has gained prominence all over India. It is that street food which has reached abroad as well. Spicy, zesty and one you can never get enough of, aloo tikki is a favourite among many people.

Vada Pav

If one had to show one food item to depict Mumbai, it would be a vada pav. Hot, potato vadas in pav with green chillies, salt, and various chutneys are lunch, dinner and a snack for a majority of Mumbaikars.

Kachori

Two states that can be credited for the creation of this yummy food are Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Hot, crispy puris with delicious chutneys: we have a lot to thank for to our local ancestors who made these dishes.

Dabeli

From the state of Gujarat comes this dish which is one of the most popular street foods. It is a spicy snack made by mixing boiled potatoes with a special dabeli masala, and putting the mixture between the pav and served with chutneys made from tamarind and dates and garnished with pomegranates and roasted peanuts.

Akki Rotti

Akki rotti is a rice-based breakfast item unique to the state of Karnataka, India. It means rice bread in the native language. Accompanied by green chutney and dripping with the richness of ghee, it is a much sought after dish.

Pani Puri

Also known as puchka in Bengal and Gol Gappa in Punjab, pani puri is one of the most popular street foods in India. It has a lot of variations but what doesn't change is the crispy puri and the green chutney popularly known as 'teekha paani'. 

Momos

Coming from the seven sisters, momos originated in the Tibetan region. They have other versions like dumplings and rice balls, but the essence remains the same. They have spread to other parts of the country and taste best with schezwan and mustard sauce.

While we go and hog on some amazing street food, you comment and let us know which one is your favourite.