Food I Miss in Delhi
It's been
1.5 years since I moved to Delhi post marriage. While I conveniently settled to
my new life and norms (while sorely missing Bombay at every step) there was something I
really needed to adjust to, the food. You guys might wonder, what is so
different since Delhi is blessed with some great restaurants and cafes. Let
me tell you, the style of cooking is very different. Ghee is predominantly used
here, street food is different, palates are different, no udupi restaurants
etc. to name a few.
When you visit for a few days, you might be bowled over by the choices but, when you start living here you will miss what Bombay has to offer. I do. Let me tell you the reasons why,
When you visit for a few days, you might be bowled over by the choices but, when you start living here you will miss what Bombay has to offer. I do. Let me tell you the reasons why,
No Wada Pav: Can you believe that. This fiery snack is missing in Delhi. I have friends in Delhi who love wada pav but, have to settle
down with a substandard version of it. There are outlets of Goli Wada Pav here,
which sell wadapavs at exorbitant prices with sweet pav (not the salty version
you find in Bombay). When I asked the guys at the outlet as to why they don't
get the salty pav, they said that people in Delhi prefer this pav. Trust me, it's
disappointing.
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Image Courtesy: Nukkadwala |
No Bhajji: Yes, also fondly called as kanda bhajji or
batata bhajji, you won't find it here. There is something called as moong dal
pakoda but, it is nothing compared to the bhajjis.
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Image Courtesy: Indianaffair.co.nz |
No authentic Pav Bhaji: No, I dont mean the scary red version served in Bombay, I mean the nice one like from Badshah in Crawford
Market or at some local Udupi restaurant that is dripping with Amul butter. The pav bhaji you find here is usually mashed potatos with some masala, that's it. And
yes, its served with the sweet pav.
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Image Courtesy: Chattering Kitchen |
No Sandwich Stalls: The sandwich stalls dotted outside college or
railway station used to be my savior during college as they used to be pocket
friendly, filling and tasty. So, if you wish to have sandwiches in Delhi then
either head to a cafe or Subway, in no way you are going to find it anywhere
else. Miss the spicy aloo sandwich with sev sprinkled on top.
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Image Courtesy: Indian Food Network |
No Anna selling idlis/wadas/dosas: Yeah, this literally aches my
heart. You will never find Anna selling steaming hot idlis or dosas on the
roadside over here. Rule out any possibility of finding this healthy, cheapest and
filling breakfast option but, if you do let me know.
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Image Courtesy: Metrognome |
No Sev
puri/Ragda Pattice/no Bhel puri: While I am not a huge chaat person, if there
are days I crave for one, I won't find these varieties. I will have to settle
down for golgappa (it's really nice here) or dahi papdi chaat (didn't like) or
dahi bhalle (never tried). Sev puri being my favorite chaat, I try to make it
at home and have it, to tame my temptation.
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Image Courtesy: Kalchul.com |
Very Few Udupi/Shetty Restaurants: Like the Shiv Sagars or Shivprasad found in Bombay. People in Bombay will know how the preparations at Udupi/Shetty restaurants are always so different. Be it the local chats or the vegetarian dishes like Mushroom Masala and Paneer Butter Masala, the peculiar taste is unmatched for.
Very Few Bakeries: No Monginis, no Theobroma, no Birdy's, no
Irani cafes, so no baked goodies, no good-quality pastries, cakes, puffs etc. There
are local bakeries which bake cakes and stuff but nothing worthy. But, there is
The BIG Chill Cakery in Khan Market, which is simply out of this world. Me and
Mr.Mode do indulge in their spread once in a while and always look forward to
our visits...this place surely 'takes the cake'.
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Image Courtesy: So Delhi |
This almost ends my list. There are tons of amazing places to eat in Delhi, after all it is known for its food; I will be talking about it mostly in my next post.
Till then don't forget to comment down below and let me know what you think of this new section and what would you like to read.
DISCLAIMER:
This blog is just an account of what I miss eating in Delhi. That's it. Take it
with a pinch of salt.
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