The first step to our journey to ChompSlurrpBurp has to be our first ever Old Delhi food walk. Yes, it was a part of my curriculum in college but the calling for food was above all that. And it is amazing how far we have come from the scrawny shots and hitting the classis corners. Old Delhi has a charm of its own, it is a way of life, and you can’t be a true Dilliwala if you haven’t got lost in the meandering streets of Chandni Chowk and discovered something incredible on the way.
And as much as we love the place, we don’t get to visit as often as we would like. We started early on a Sunday morning to uncouth some newbies (for us of course). We started with a long standing walk to the super famous Lotan ke Choley Kulche wala. The place is buried inside the streets and you will have to make a few stops and trust the locals for directions (and trust me, they will be spot on) we were super excited to have found the place, but thanks to our choice of day (MCD elections) he hadn’t showed up. Bummer!
Now, starving we took respite in a small kiosk just outside the main street from the famous choley kulche wala. An old man heading the stall with such finesse and with piping hot samosas, kachoris and bedmi poori and aloo ki sabzi.
But we had eyes and appetite only for the delectable looking bedmi poori and aloo ki sabzi – bedmi is like a cross between poori and kachori. Poori is deep fried without any kind of stuffing and kachoris most commonly are stuffed with either urad ki dal or aloo. Bedmi however is made when urad ki dal ir ground and kneaded into the dough which makes it crunchy and still a lighter option than kachori. This street option is a delectable classic preparation – totally oil free bedmi pooris, served with a spicy and flavoursome aloo ki sabzi and achaar.
We next made a stop over at Shyam Sweets – famous for Nagori Halwa, Matar ki kachori and lassi. The sweet lassi is served in a kulhad and is super refreshing spiked with a hint of rose.
Kachori stuffed with matar and masala and served with aloo ki sabzi. The unlikely combination makes for a breakfast option for innumerable people and bodes amazingly well together. Will definitely try their Nagori halwa on our next visit.
Pick a plate of paneer wale bread pakore or moong dal vada on your way to your next stop.
We wandered through to Jama Masjid and landed in the land of meaty goodness. Karim’s, Al Jawahar and numerous other joints tucked together in a street. We halted at Al Jawahar for some mutton korma and khamiri roti. The mutton was drenched in oil and a gravy so delectable with a sweet aftertaste thanks to the brown onions. The khamiri was slightly disappointing but the experience was golden.
Our last stop was the Old Famous Jalebi Wala – the shop has been there for years now and the taste hasn’t wavered. The Jalebis are thick and huge, each piece weighing upto 100grams, and yet they are surprisingly fluffy and crispy.
Next Foodwalk soon, because can’t stay away from these delicacies for too long.
Pro Tip – Carry lots of water and preferably plan your trip early in the morning to beat the heat.
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