Get ready to embark on a delectable culinary adventure as we dive into the world of famous street food in India!
From sizzling snacks to mouthwatering treats, India’s streets are a treasure trove of flavours that will awaken your taste buds and leave you craving more.
List of Famous Street Food in India
Find the list of 21 famous street food in India from south India to North India cuisine .
1. Chole bhature
One of the most popular street food in India is chole bhature, which consists of spicy chickpeas (chole) served with deep-fried bread (bhature). It is often garnished with onions, green chillies, and coriander and served with a side of yoghurt.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR
2. Samosas
Samosas are a renowned Indian street food loved not only in South Asia but also the Middle East. These triangular pastries are filled with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or other ingredients and deep-fried to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior.
Samosas are a popular snack in India, served with chutney or ketchup, and can be found at stalls, shops, and outdoor events. They come in various shapes and sizes, with regional variations in fillings.
Samosas are enjoyed hot or cold, making them a convenient and delicious treat available at restaurants, cafes, and festivals.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Lucknow
3. Aloo tikki Chat
Aloo tikki chat is a popular street food snack in northern India. It features small, spiced potato cakes called aloo tikki, which are deep-fried and served with various toppings and accompaniments.
The potato cakes are made by mashing boiled potatoes with spices, shaping them into patties, coating them in breadcrumbs, and deep-frying until golden brown.
They are then garnished with toppings like chutneys, diced onions, coriander leaves, and sev. Aloo tikki chat is enjoyed as a snack or light meal and is an essential part of Indian street food culture. It is also referred to as aloo tikki chaat or aloo tikki chole.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Lucknow
4. Pav Bhaji
Pav bhaji is a popular snack in India and is often enjoyed as a quick and affordable meal on the go. This street food snack is very popular, particularly in the western state of Maharashtra. It is made with a mixture of vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes, cooked with spices and served with a soft white roll, known as pav.
The vegetables are mashed together to form a thick and flavorful curry, known as bhaji, which is served with the pav.
It is often served with various accompaniments, such as diced onions, lemon wedges, and coriander leaves, and is often garnished with butter. Pav bhaji is a popular snack at outdoor events and festivals and is also served at restaurants and cafes.
- Cuisine: South India
- Famous in: Mumbai
5. Golgappa
Golgappa, also known as Pani puri, is a popular street food in India that consists of small, crispy, deep-fried balls filled with a mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, and spices, and served with spicy water (pain).
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, Mumbai, NCR, Lucknow
6. Momos
Momos steamed dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, are also a popular street food in India, as are various types of kebabs. it is a very famous street food in North India.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Laddakh, Himachal, North East of India
7. Kebabs
Indian kebabs are a beloved street food consisting of grilled or roasted small pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables on skewers or over fire. They are accompanied by dips, sauces, and side dishes like chutneys, raita, and naan. Varieties include chicken tikka, lamb, and paneer kebabs.
Often served with rice or vegetables, kebabs are cherished at street stalls, markets, and festivals. Tourists and locals relish them, and Indian restaurants feature them as appetizers or main dishes. With their aromatic spices and flavours, Indian kebabs offer an authentic taste of the country’s cuisine.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Lucknow
8. Kathi Roll
Kathi roll is a popular street food snack in India, particularly in the eastern state of West Bengal. It is made by wrapping a variety of fillings, such as spiced vegetables, chicken, lamb, or paneer (Indian cottage cheese), in a thin and crispy flatbread, known as Kathi.
The roll is then grilled or fried until the bread is crispy and the filling is hot and flavorful. Kathi roll is a popular snack in India and is often enjoyed as a quick and affordable meal on the go. It is often served with a variety of accompaniments, such as chutneys, sauces, and vegetables, and is often garnished with diced onions and coriander leaves.
Kathi rolls are a popular street food snack in India and are also served at restaurants and cafes. They are convenient and tasty snacks that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Kolkata, Lucknow , Delhi, NCR
9. Bhel puri
Bhel puri is a popular street food snack in India. It is made with a mixture of puffed rice, vegetables, and spices served on a cone-shaped paper or leaf.
The ingredients of bhel puri vary from region to region, but the most common ones include puffed rice, boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes, chilli peppers, and cilantro, mixed with a variety of chutneys and spices.
The snack is usually served cold and is popular as an evening snack or a light meal. It is often enjoyed at outdoor events and festivals. Bhel puri is also sometimes referred to as bhel, bhelpuri, or bhel puri chaat.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, NCR
10. Vada pav
Vada pav is another popular street food, especially in the western state of Maharashtra. It is made by deep-frying a spicy potato mixture, known as vada, and serving it in a bun or bread roll, known as pav.
The vada is typically made with boiled, mashed potatoes mixed with spices and herbs, formed into a ball shape and coated in gram flour before being deep-fried. The pav is a small, soft white bun that is lightly grilled or fried before the vada is placed inside.
Vada pav is often served with various chutneys, such as garlic chutney or tamarind chutney, and is often garnished with diced onions and coriander leaves. It is a popular snack in India and is often enjoyed as a quick and affordable meal on the go.
- Cuisine: South India
- Famous in: Mumbai, Pune
11. Jalebi
Jalebi is a popular snack in India. it is a sweet snack. Jalebi is made by deep-frying a wheat flour batter in a circular shape and then soaking it in a sugary syrup. The result is a crispy, golden-brown snack with a soft, gooey centre.
Jalebi is often served hot and is typically enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack. It is often garnished with dried edible rose petals or saffron and is sometimes served with a side of rabri, a thick and creamy milk-based dessert.
Jalebi is a popular sweet during festivals and celebrations and is often sold at street food stalls and sweet shops. Indore city of Madhya Pradesh know for its famous street food Poha & jalebi.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: MP, UP, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, NCR
12. Dosa
Dosa is a popular South Indian delicacy made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Cooked on a hot griddle, it turns crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Dosas are served with accompaniments like sambar, chutney, and potato curry. They can be filled with vegetables, paneer, or spicy potato masala. Enjoyed as breakfast or snack, dosa is cherished in South India and worldwide, especially in regions with a significant South Indian community.
- Cuisine: South India
- Famous in: Kerala, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai
13. Bread pakora
Bread pakora is a snack made by dipping slices of bread into a spiced gram flour (chickpea flour) batter and deep-frying them until they are crispy and golden brown. It is a popular snack in India and is often served as a breakfast or evening snack, accompanied by chutney or ketchup.
The bread used for bread pakora is typically white bread, but other types of bread, such as brown bread or whole wheat bread, can also be used.
The pakoras can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as boiled potatoes, onions, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), or spicy masala. They can be served plain or with a variety of dips or chutneys. Bread pakoras are often enjoyed at outdoor events and festivals and are a popular street food snack in India.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, NCR,
14. Idli
Idli is a popular South Indian dish made with a fermented batter of ground rice and lentils. The batter is steamed in small, round moulds, resulting in soft and spongy cakes that are usually served as breakfast or snack food. Idlis are often served with a variety of accompaniments, such as sambar, a lentil-based soup; chutney, a condiment made from ground spices and herbs; and ghee, a clarified butter.
Idlis are a staple food in South India and are also popular in other parts of the country. They are a common breakfast food and are often served with a cup of hot chai (tea).
Idlis are also popular in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with a significant South Indian diaspora.
- Cuisine: South India
- Famous in: Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai
15. Soya chap
Soya chap is a snack made from soya bean chunks that are coated in spicy gram flour (chickpea flour) mixture and then deep-fried. It is a popular snack in India and is often served as street food or as a snack at home.
Soya chap is often served with a variety of accompaniments, such as chutney, a condiment made from ground spices and herbs; or ketchup. It is a popular snack in Northern India and is often enjoyed as a light meal or an evening snack.
Soya chap is a healthy snack option as it is high in protein and nutrients. It is a good snack option for vegetarians and can be made in a variety of ways, including as a dry snack or as a cutlet.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Gurgaon
16. Poha
Poha is a popular breakfast dish in India, particularly in the Western and Central regions of the country. It is made with flattened or beaten rice, known as poha, which is cooked with a variety of spices and ingredients, such as onions, potatoes, peanuts, and raisins.
Poha is a quick and easy dish to make and is often served as breakfast food or as a snack. It is a popular street food snack in India and is often enjoyed with a cup of chai (tea). Poha can be made in a variety of ways, and the ingredients and spices used can vary depending on regional preferences.
It is a versatile dish that can be made with different types of poha, such as thick or thin, and can be served either dry or with a light curry. Poha is a healthy and nutritious snack that is high in carbohydrates and provides a good source of energy.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Indore, Raipur, Nagpur
17. Indian Tea
Indian tea, known as chai, is a beloved beverage in India and South Asia. It involves brewing black tea leaves with a medley of spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Milk and sugar are added to taste. Served hot, Indian tea is a refreshing drink enjoyed throughout the day.
It is often served in kulhars (ceramic cups) or chai glasses. Prepared by boiling tea leaves, spices, water, milk, and sugar, it is simmered until it reaches the desired flavor. I
ndian tea is a popular choice for people of all ages and is also cherished in countries with South Asian communities.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR,
18. Kachoris
Kachori is a popular snack in India, particularly in the northern and western parts of the country. It is made by deep-frying a small, round pastry dough filled with a mixture of spiced lentils, onions, or other ingredients.
Kachoris are a popular snack in India and are often served as an evening snack or a light meal, accompanied by chutney or other dips. They can be made with a variety of fillings, such as moong dal (split mung beans), chana dal (split chickpeas), or aloo (potatoes).
Kachoris are often garnished with spices and herbs, such as coriander leaves and chaat masala, a spice blend commonly used in Indian cuisine. Kachoris are a popular street food snack in India and are also served at restaurants and cafes. They are a convenient and tasty snack that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, Rajasthan,Gurgaon
19. Dabeli
Dabeli is a famous street food from Gujarat, India. It features a soft pav bun filled with a mixture of boiled potatoes, onions, peanuts, chutneys, and spices. Topped with sev (fried chickpea flour noodles) and pomegranate seeds, it is served hot.
Dabeli is a popular and affordable on-the-go meal, enjoyed with various accompaniments like chutneys, sauces, and veggies. Garnished with diced onions and coriander leaves, this convenient and flavorful snack can be relished hot or cold. It is found on the streets, as well as in restaurants and cafes throughout Gujarat.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Ahmedabad,
20. Dahi Bhalla
Dahi bhalla is a cherished Indian snack, especially in the north. Round, fried dough balls called bhalla are soaked in a spiced yoghurt mixture called dahi. Made with urad dal, the bhallas are immersed in the dahi for hours before serving.
Dahi Bhalla is a favored evening snack or light meal, often accompanied by chutney and garnished with spices like chaat masala and fresh coriander. Found on the streets, as well as in restaurants and cafes, dahi bhalla is a convenient and flavorful snack that can be savoured hot or cold.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, MP, Chhattisgarh
21. Bread Omelet
Bread omelette is a beloved snack in India, especially in urban areas. It involves whisking eggs and combining them with diced onions, tomatoes, and vegetables, before cooking the mixture with slices of bread.
The bread soaks up the flavorful egg mixture, turning soft and delectable. This popular snack is commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as an evening treat, often served with chutney or ketchup.
It’s a quick and convenient snack, perfect for those on the move. Found on the streets, as well as in restaurants and cafes, bread omelette is a convenient and scrumptious option that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
- Cuisine: North India
- Famous in: Delhi, NCR, Mumbai
Read More: Famous food of Rajasthan
