Popular Seasonal Food Dishes of Delhi

Delhi is a magical city and has always kept me wondering on what new will I unravel. Whenever somebody talked about Delhi or Dilli (as we, Delhiites say), the conversation has always included a topic about food. No doubt that this city has flavours coming from every corner of the nation and that is why this it is a bliss for food lovers. Every explorer who has been busy scouting this foodland, would have tasted the street food but isn’t it something which is available throughout the year? I understand that urge which deals with doing something out of the box, so here I am, talking about foods which are seasonal and ranking in the list of exceptional food dishes of Delhi. With this blog, I really want to let you know that the city offers more than just Daulat Ki Chaat in winters or seasonal fruit chaat. To know what kind of treasure this city holds, come along and let me tell you the actual and must-try seasonal dishes of Delhi.

In Summer Season…

Delhi has always been a city of extremes, and if you are in the city from March-June, you might be welcomed with sunny summer days. And to beat that heat, you might just want to have something cool to drink. But I say why just drinks when you can have something refreshing to eat also, so read along where I have mentioned some must-try food items and beverages to enjoy the summers of Delhi:

1. Fall in Love with Mohabbat Sharbat

Imagine a drink where some freshly cut watermelons are mixed in a rose flavoured milk. Yes! This one of a kind drink exists and is really famous in Delhi during summers. Located in the lanes of Jama Masjid, a shop has become a famous spot for the Delhiites to have a cooling escape from the scorching heat. Something which is different in this pink drink containing sugar, rooh afza and milk is sum freshly diced watermelon with loads of love. So make it a point to have a taste of this refreshing drink when you are exploring the city.

Where to have it?

• Pyaar Mohabbat Sharbat Waale, Meena Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk

2. Get Refreshed in the old lanes of Dilli with Gur Ka Sharbat

Another favourite drink of Delhi is Gur Ka Sharbat. Gur or Jaggery has some top medicinal benefits and is considered as the best replacement for sugar. During summers, our body has high chances of experiencing low blood pressure and sugar level, to maintain a normality in the levels, this drink is mostly opted by the locals. In the old lanes of Delhi, the given shop is helping people quench their thirst with this inexpensive, simple yet tasty drink and enjoy the summer season.

Where to have it?

• Akhil Ahmad’s Gur Ka Sharbat (Near Jama Masjid)

3. Aam Panna

Summers and mangoes are the obvious and the perfect combination that one could imagine. Aam Panna is a simple drink made from raw mangoes which totally compliment the summer mood. A drink which has a tangy and sweet taste to it, is the perfect remedy to relish the hot season. To enjoy your summer, head to the given addresses and have a cool drink.

Where to have it?

• Adarsh Stores- Janpath Bhawan, CP
• Hori Lal Paan- Near Punjabi Bagh
• Holistic Food Centre- Chhatra Marg, Arts faculty, University Enclave
• Kent’s Fast Food- Defence colony main market

4. Kanji Vada

Apart from all the mouth-watering chaat served in this city, ‘Kanji Vada’ is yet another popular delight which is made from tangy mustard flavoured fermented drink. The Vadas are made of moong dal which after frying are soaked in the prepared tangy mustard drink.  Kanji Vada is believed to be good for digestion and despite being a Rajasthani street food, it has become a must-have food item in Delhi which is enjoyed by people all throughout the year but the most in summers.

Where to have it?

• Shri Shyam Kanji Corner, near Ghantewala, Chandni Chowk

5. Chuski

This summer cooler has been in our lives since our childhood and nothing else can replace it. The grated ice on a stick with different flavours where we chose to either mix one flavour with other or just have a single flavour. You miss it, don’t you? Well the good news is that you don’t have to end your nostalgic trip rather you can revisit your childhood at the given addresses. Let go all your tensions and be a child again, enjoy one of those days of your summer holidays!

Where to have it?

• Chuski da chaska- Aggarwal Millenium Tower 1, G-16, Netaji Subhash Place
• Chatkara- S-26, Opp. Domino’s Pizza, Green Park Market
• DN Shukla Odeon Paan Palace- D-1, Middle Circle, Near Odeon Cinema Hall, Connaught Place

6. Kulfi

The scorching heat really makes you run towards the ice-cream, but what if I tell you that you can enjoy something more tastier and healthier? Well, to give your sweet tooth an explosion of sweet flavours, the city has few favourites. The best part about these places is that they have given a great twist to the traditional Kulfi. I am sure you would have never imagined kulfi with fruits. I am not talking about flavours but rather having kulfi with actual fruits. Yes actual fruits!!! These few shops have invented a new yet healthy way to serve kulfi. They stuff the fruits with the kulfi and ice it. So whatever fruit you need, you can have a kulfi with it! Obviously the seasonal fruits are the market owners.

Where to have it?

• Kuremal MohanLal Kulfiwale- Sitaram Bazar, Chawri Bazar
• Ravi Raj Di Kulfi- 13/31, Bawa Plaza, Opposite Gaffar Market, Arya Samaj Road, Karol Bagh
• Siya Ram Nannumal Kulfiwale- 629, Kundewalan Chowk, Kucha Pati Ram, Ajmeri Gate
• Ram Bharose Gupta’s Stall- Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar IV
• Roshan Di Kulfi- 2816, Ajmal Khan Road, Karol Bagh

In Winter Season…

We all have experienced the shivering cold weather of Delhi and to fight this, we always find tea stalls or coffee shops flooded with customers. But we, Delhiites, have the capability to enjoy even the tiniest of happiness, and this cold weather is nothing different. To enjoy the amazingly cold weather of Delhi, here is a list of what to have when in Delhi during winters:

1. Litti Chokha

Temperature during winters in Delhi often drop down to 2 degrees celsius and with the cold weather outside we crave for some hot food inside our homes. Litti Chokha is one such food which has a fan following from the state of Bihar to the National Capital of India. Known as a regional delicacy, this food has the ability to keep your body warm and make your immunity system stronger. Dipped in Ghee, the Litti is made out of flour which consists a mixture of ground pulses and cereals served along with Chokha which is prepared with mashed brinjals or potatoes mixed with Indian herbs and spices. To experience the best of Delhi winters, this is a must have delicacy.

Where to have it?

• Bihar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri
• Mr. Littiwala, Laxmi Nagar
• Skim, Shahpur Jat
• Potbelly Rooftop Cafe, Shahpur Jat
• Cafe Wanderlust, Dlf Galleria Mall

2. Gajar Ka Halwa

Winters mark the season of Gajar ka Halwa and let us all agree that this is one of the reasons why we love Dilli ki Sardi. Hands down, Gajar ka Halwa makes us wait for the winters to come so that we can hog on this seasonal sweet dish *hearty eyes*! Dripping with desi ghee, loaded with rich dry fruits, carrots, and khoya that just make you go OH MY GOD, Gajar ka Halwa is one delicacy you must not miss when in Delhi. Go ahead and have this heavenly sweet dish at these places below and thank me later!

Where to have it?

• Shiv Misthan Bhandar, 375, Kucha Ghasi Ram, Chandni Chowk
• Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners, 6499, Fatehpuri Chowk, Chandni Chowk
• Anupama Sweets, HS-13, Kailash Colony Main Market
• Kanwarji’s, 1972-1973, Corner Gali Paranthe, Chandni Chowk

3. Makke Di Roti and Sarson Da Saag

The Punjabi in all of us needs to be kept alive and that is what this dish does! The winters in Delhi are not only about garam garam chai rather it is more about the places where we could find this authentic Punjabi dish. Am I right or am I right? We miss the Makke di roti and Sarson da saag the moment winters are over and wait until next time *teary eyes*. These locations serve the ‘best’ versions of this dish and I ask you to visit these if you have not yet!

Where to go?

• Made in Punjab, Shop No 5 & 6, Ground Floor, Delhi Cyber Hub, 8th Road, Sector 24, Cyber City, Gurugram
• The Masala Trail, 52, Janpath, Connaught place
• Garam Dharam, M-16, Ground Floor, Outer Circle, Connaught Place
• Dhaba by Claridges, 2nd Floor, DLF Place Mall, Saket

4. Thukpa

One of the best dishes of the Tibetan cuisine, Thukpa has gotten more love right after momos. But today we are talking about Thukpas. So this dish is basically the soupy heaven for every kind of eater, be it vegetarian or non- vegetarians. A single slurp of this soup and you are taken back to the hills. If you have a craving for this delicacy, please visit these places.

Where to have?

• Rigo Restaurant, 180, Tibetan Old Camp, Majnu Ka Tila
• Tibet Kujing, 125, Block C, Mukherjee Nagar
• Lama Kitchen, 50A, 2nd Floor, Hauz Khas Village
• Yeti, M-20, M Block Market, Greater Kailash
• Ama Restaurant, 40, Majnu ka Tila
• Wangchuk’s Ladakhi Kitchen, Jalsa Building, Opposite Arjun Marg, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon
• Dilli Haat, INA

5. Kharode Ka Soup

Soup and winters go hand in hand and to enjoy the best of this season, I recommend having Kharode ka Soup. This goes by many names like paya,tangri soup or shorba. Made from chicken, mutton, pork or beef, it is rich in flavours and amongst the must have food in winters. The secret of this ah-mazing soup is that it is slow cooked overnight in the spices and herbs. Since this soup is available in the morning only, we sure know how crazy the crowd gets. So now you know what to do in the foggy morning of Delhi winters.

Where to have it?

• Pahalwan Da Dhaba, Paharganj

6. Nihari Kulcha – Jama Masjid

Be it a festive season or not, I know that we Delhiites will always crave for Nihari. Aroma of this food makes you excited for the dish and the moment you look at it you just want to dive in it. With the first bite itself, you experience the burst of flavours in your mouth *dreaming about it*. The reason this is available early morning is that it gets finished by the time clock strikes 12! I would suggest like any other blogger who has experienced the heartbreak of not being able to make it to the shop on time that try to get to the places serving it early in the morning.

Where to have it?

• Haji Shabrati Nihari wale, Jama Masjid, Chitli Qabar Area
• Saeed Nihari, Baradari, Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk
• Kebab Gali, 7-8, Corner Market, Malviya Nagar
• Karim’s, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid
• Delhi Nihari, 24/18, Main Road, Okhla

In Monsoon Season….

Delhi has always been an epitome of beauty, but it looks incredibly alluring during monsoon season. The slightly cold air, you are sipping on chai or coffee accompanied with pakoras and enjoying the rain. Sounds kind of typical, no? So what are the other options of food during the monsoons in Delhi? To answer your question, I am presenting you a list of variety of food items to have that will add that extra spice while you enjoy your monsoon of Delhi.

1. Corn/ Maize

Considered as one of the healthiest alternatives to have while it’s drizzling and the city is looking alive. Gradually becoming a favourite street food amongst Delhiites, it is sold in variants like boiled corn on the cob, roasted corn on the cob, boiled without the corn ear (sweet corn). So, when you see stalls all lined up on the side of the road, you know what to do *evil smile*.

Where to have it?

• Across Delhi; available on road side

2. Shakarkandi Chaat- Heera Lal’s Kulle Chaat, Chawri Bazar

We all know that Dilli ki Chaat is famous for a sole reason, i.e., the mouth-watering mixture of various flavours presented on a single plate. We know aloo chaat, tikki chaat, fruit chaat and what not but there is one different kind of chaat which is becoming favourite of ours- Shakarkandi chaat. A blessing for health-conscious freaks who have strong willpower and have evacuated oil from their lives. Healthy in nature, sweet and tangy in taste, this chaat has made every one of us go gaga.

Where to find it?

• Heera Lal’s Kulle Chaat, Chawri Bazar

3. Ghewar

We have always been great fans of delicious food but I also know that our love for sweets have never been less. We have the capability to gobble up more than a single piece of any kind of Indian sweet in a sitting. That is the kind of affection we have with Indian sweets but Ghewar is that sweet which always wins in the fight of food v/s man. This honeycomb style, Rajasthani sweet is covered in a layer of malai, made out of sugar and crisp in texture and is truly divine.

Where to have it?

• Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners, Chandni Chowk

Even though, I’ve tried to include seasonal dishes from the best of my knowledge, but I know there are various other foods which I may have missed. So let me know by mentioning them in the comment section below. We at Tour My India also provide some amazing holiday packages for Delhi where you can explore the unexplored side of the city and get a chance to eat some ah-mazing food.

Call us at +91-9212553106/07 or write us at info@tourmyindia.com to get to know more about Delhi tour packages. If you liked this blog, kindly share it with your friends and family and let them know about these delicacies!