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Thursday, 31 January 2019

Old Delhi - The vegetarian street Food hub of Delhi

Old Delhi is a paradise for Indian street Food lovers. I recently made my customary winter trip to Old Delhi and just freaked out gorging on delicious food and incorporating the calories on my waistline.

If you are a foodie and hav not been to old Delhi yet, you don't know what you are missing out on. Whether it is chaat or falooda or cholley Puri or kheer or even kachaudi and lassi Old Delhi has it all.

I have compiled for you a list of places not to Miss in Old Delhi. Especially around Chawri Bazaar and Chandni chowk. I have purposely left the parathe wali gali out of this list because I feel their food is just over rated.

Start your trip with Chawri Bazaar Metro Station

1. Ashok Chat Corner - start your trip here since this shop is just outside the Metro Station. Famous for their Kalmi vada they also sell kachalu ki chat, gol gappey, papdi, dahi bhalla and tikki

2. Standard sweets - Just a lane ahead of Ashok chat is this shop renowned for its Nagori Halwa, cholley poori, and sweets. An absolute must visit place

3. Jain Coffee shop - Famous for its fruit sandwiches this shop is located near the PNB ATM their buttery sandwiches are a delight

4. Sudarshan - do not miss their Badam milk and kachaudi. Located a little ahead of Jain coffee shop this place will titillate your taste buds.

5. Shyam sweets - located across Sudarshan this is your perfect breakfast spot. Famous for their delicious lassi and Bedmi poori and sabzi this place is an absolute must visit

6. Daulat ki chat stalls - do not miss daulat ki chat, a winter delicacy on stalls across old Delhi.

7. Shakahaari restaurant - do not miss their soya Kathi kebabs and roomali

8. Old Kheer shop - located opposite chawri bazaar police station this place has kheer cooked for 8 hours at just 30/- bucks a plate. Just delicious beyond imagination.

9. Naan khatai vendors - this hand made biscuit is available across Old Delhi being sold by multiple street vendors. It's soft and mushy and better than the biscuits from the best bakeries

10. Kuremal Mohan Lal kulfi Wale - located in Kucha pati Ram in chawri bazaar across the lane opposite Ashok chat, this place is famous for their fruit stuffed kulfi , Paan kulfi and other kulfi. Must haves are Jamun kulfi, orange kulfi, coconut kulfi and malai kulfi

11. Natraj Dahi bhalla corner - famous for its dahi bhalla and tikki this place is just outside Chandni chok Metro Station. Personally I thought their food is over rated. But you can't ignore the fact that this place is legendary.

12. Old famous Jalebiwala - some delicious jalebi awaits you here. Have either a jalebi solo orix and match it with a spoonful of Rabdi in Chandni chowk.

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Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Dilli Haat -Your Regional Cultural stop in Delhi

Delhi winters are just perfect to visit this colourful destination that defines what India is -a melting pot of cultures. Dilli haat showcases the actual regional artisans who sell some superb regional Indian handicrafts, jewellery and fabrics. This is just the perfect weather to go browse this place and pick up some great stuff. If you are not a local and are visiting Delhi you may want do all your souvenir shopping from here.

Dilli Haat is being run by the delhi Tourism Board and is a great craft bazaar which also showcases some great regional foods. The Delhi Tourism board organises various craft festivals periodically so that artisans from across the country can visit and showcase their craft. The craftsmen keep circulating and pay a nominal fee since this is a Govt run establishment.

When one visits Dilli Haat one is transported to a different world in the hustle and bustle of this fact paced city. You can savour some some regional food at various state food stalls and pick up some great show pieces and also enjoy some great cultural dance and music shows at th same time. What's great is that Delhi Tourism has opened a couple of more Dilli Haats in the city for the lovers of regional crafts and regional food. Besides INA, Delhi has two more Dilli Haats in Janakpuri and Pitampura.

The flagship Dilli haat in INA market still remains the most popular one amongst patrons of Delhi and those visiting Delhi. There's a nominal entry fee of INR 30 making it affordable for everyone. One can visit on a Weekend afternoon and enjoy not only some great regional food and family time together but also shop for some authentic regional goods.

Since this is an open air place, winters or months when the temperatures are bearable are perfect to visit. The place is well connected by Delhi Metro too so you don't have to worry about parking.

Whether you are a lover of Papier mache from Kashmir or Madhubani art work from Bihar or some great Bamboo artefacts from the North east this is your one stop shop. Shop for some pure cashmere or pure pashmina or some great regional jewellery or some great Fabrics from MAHESHWAR Madhya Pradesh or shop for Banarasi, Tanchoi, patola or chanderi Saree's and you can vouch for this authentic stuff. You can shop for some great rugs, carpets, duvet's, mat's, comforters, bed covers at great prices. The tip however is to visit during a crafts Festival like Dastkaar Haat and you are bound to get a great deal.

I have always loved the food at Dilli haat whether it's the Pav Bhaji, the momos the waazvaan, the fruit beer, the vada pav, dabeli, Rajasthani Thai, mirchi vada, dosas and everything else. Get some Mehandi / henna tattoo made or enjoy a puppet show or bioscope

This vibrant cultural hub in the heart of the capital city of New Delhi should be your prime attraction for an outing to see the handicrafts from across India. In short this place gives access to India on a platter so what are you waiting for? Take a trip to Dilli Haat real soon.