Get a taste of Old Delhi street food right here in Mumbai

For Mumbaikars who’ve only heard about Delhi being a gastronome’s paradise, here’s your chance to check it out for yourself.

But, you don’t have to go all the way to the capital for that. Just hop across to the Peshwa Pavillion at ITC Grand Maratha, Andheri, where you can tuck into bharwa golgappas, kullas (scooped out vegetables filled with chickpeas, pomegranate, mint and lemon), parathas, dahi gujiyas (soft vadas made of pulses and topped with yoghurt, mint and tamarind chutney), tantalising beetroot kanji (digestive drink made of mustard powder, beetroot and radish) or the yummy Daulat ki chaat (sweet milk froth garnished with almonds and pistachios).

The festival is on until February 28.

“Old Delhi’s street food is distinct from the rest of Delhi. It has recipes that have been handed down through generations and have retained their integral flavour,” says Gunjan Goela, founder and owner of Dilli Ka Khana who has flown down with her team to host the Purani Dilli Ka Khana, an Old Delhi food festival in the city.

According to her, “It is the flavour, cooking technique and presentation that lends the street food its distinct taste.” For instance, the golgappas in old Delhi are crispy shells stuffed with potatoes, saunth (dried ginger) chutney, tamarind and mint chutney are unlike the usual golgappas with the potato, mint and a tamarind concoction.

“Street food vendors in old Delhi serve it the way it should be had. Till date they refuse to use onion and garlic, despite the trend. It is this authenticity and delightful combination of chaats, parathas, drinks and desserts from old Delhi that Goela has brought to Mumbai.

At least 25 of the 45 dishes lined up by Goela are served here every day and comprise 12 chaats, seven to eight varieties in the main course and three to four sweet dishes and drinks.

Popular ones like golgappas, kamak (papri with green peas), dahi vada, moong dal halwa, Daulat ki chaat remain constant, many other dishes are served on rotation. Most of the spices and ingredients have been brought down from old Delhi to add to the authenticity.

A specialist in the cuisine, Goela, who hails from the royal family of Alwar, has been promoting the street food of old Delhi for years. Goela has a cookbook titled The Baniya Cookbook (since most such food sellers in old Delhi belong to the Baniya community) out soon.

Speciality bites
Aloo ka Kulla: Scooped out potatoes filled with gram, pomegranate, mint chutney and lemon juice

Bharwa golgappa: Crispy flour shells filled with potatoes, dry ginger (saunth) chutney, mint and tamarind chutney