“There is no sincerer love than the love of (street) food.” – George Bernard Shaw
Hello Local Guides around the world.
Every traveler has a desire to taste the most famous street food of different cities or localities. One cannot ignore the street food of wherever city they visit. Usually it is ready-to-eat food or drink sold by a hawker, or vendor, in a street or other public place, such as at a market or fair. It is often sold from a portable food truck and meant for immediate consumption. Some street foods are regional, but many have spread beyond their region of origin. Most street foods are classed as fast food, and are way cheaper than restaurant meals. According to a 2007 study done by Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food every day.
People may purchase street food for a number of reasons, such as convenience, to get flavourful food for a reasonable price in a sociable setting, to try ethnic cuisines, or just for nostalgia.
There can’t be a single famous street food of a country. It depends upon the diversification of the nation. Like in India which is a much diverse country as per culture, language, religion etc there are several street food of the different cities / localities. Indian street food is as diverse as Indian Cuisines. Every region has its own specialties to offer. Like Mumbai has Vada Pav, Delhi has Chhole Kulche, Ludhiana has Parathas, Kolkata has Gol Gappa, Chennai has Idli Sambar and there are many more Aloo Tikki, Chaat, uttappam, Dosa, Samosa, Band Makhan, Bread omelette, Pav Bhaji, Pakora etc.
Here I want to share the famous regional street food of my city / locality. Mumbai is a dizzying, dazzling metropolis, a city that never tires and never sleeps. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps this Indian megacity going, you’ll find the answer in its buzzing streets, filled with a thousand hawkers dishing out cheap eats. Locals always find time to pause at rickety carts in narrow by-lanes for a street-food treat or a glass of ‘cutting chai’ (the city’s famous half-measure of tea) helping a million-strong workforce get on with their day.
Vada Pav
Also referred to as a ‘poor man’s burger,’ Vada Pav is one thing that you will find in every street, corner, crossroad and turn. Pav is Indian for a bread bun, and a fritter stuffed with mashed potato in between the bread is called ‘Vada’. This mouthwatering dish is served with spicy and sweet chutneys, fried chilies and garlic powder chutney. Mumbai vegetarian burger, vada pav consists of a spiced mashed potato mixture, which is deep fried into a patty, packed into a white fluffy bun, and garnished with a variety of different chutneys and spices for seasoning.
Although it sounds rather simple, and it is, it’s one of greatest tasting vegetarian burgers you’ll likely ever eat. The chutney makes all the difference. And also, don’t miss those fried chilies on the side to give you a kick of heat and flavor.
There are more than 50000 Vada pav stalls in Mumbai but some of them stand out for their distinctive styles.
Popular Variants: Schezwan, cheese, and grilled Vada Pav
Also Try: Samosa Pav, Bhajiya Pav, Kheema Pav and Dabeli
