If you are from Delhi, chances are pretty high that food forms an important part of your daily routine. No, it’s not just eating for survival or for the sake of killing time when you are bored or to comply with your daily calorie intake. It’s just an innate quality in you to look out for and appreciate good food. That’s how all of us hailing from the capital have been brought up.
And it’s not just our local cuisine that interests us, mind you. We have our taste buds set in appreciation for tasty treats from all corners of the country. If there is one place where you can find the best of all the regions of the country, that place probably has to be Dilli Haat. Nowhere else will you find such an awesome amalgamation of the north with south, and the east with west. Dilli Haat is an open-air food plaza and crafts market, which is located in South Delhi. It is a perfect place for die-hard foodies who also love shopping.
Here are the top four dishes to try from the four different corners of the country. Visit Dilli Haat and take your taste buds to the corners of the country in a matter of a few minutes!
1. Rogan Josh (Kashmir: North)
I know the dish’s name alone is drool-worthy and there’s no need for enunciation. Rogan Josh is to Kashmir what pasta is to Italy and burgers are to the USA, quite simply put. If there has to be one dish that embodies the rich culture and varied heritage of the state, it has to be Rogan Josh.
The sheer quantity and variety that you get here is unbelievable. And of course, it’s a treat for all the carnivores out there. Try the Goshtaba, succulent mutton balls laced with lamb fat and cooked to perfection over low heat. The danya Korma is worth slowly losing yourself into the paradise that Kashmir is.
2. Kerala Fish Fry (Kerala Food Stall: South)
A vacation down south would be incomplete without touching Kerala. In gastronomy, it’s the same with your taste buds. If you are looking for good South Indian food, it would be a sin to not look out for some good Keralite dishes first. Be it the humble Idli-Vada-Sambhar or the relatively exotic Kerala fish fry, Dilli Haat offers you the best of both worlds. What really caught my attention is how they have not ‘North Indianized’ the flavors just to make some dough. It’s simple South Indian food, just as it should be.
3. Momos and Fruit Beer (Nagaland Kitchen: East)
There are a lot of momo stalls that throng Dilli Haat. This humble steamed dough of happiness came to Delhi, won its heart, and has now invaded it thoroughly. Nagaland Kitchen offers some really good steamed and deep fried momos. Be it the vegetarian momos or the chicken momos, they all stand out. Also, it would be the biggest mistake of your life yet if you come here and don’t order fruit beer to wash down the momos. This is a match made in heaven!
4. Rajasthani Thali and Desi Ghee Jalebi (Rajasthan: West)
This list would have been incomplete without mentioning the infamous Rajasthani Thali. Known for its sheer size and magnanimity, the Rajasthani Thali will feed itself to you, until your stomach gives up and walking becomes as arduous a task as fasting (foodies will understand).
The Rajasthan stall offers authentic, ‘real Indian soul food‘. Out here, you will also find the best Pyaaz Kachori that you have ever had. It’s the perfect blend of onions, lentils, and Rajasthani spices, neatly tucked inside the crispy covering of a kachori.
As for desserts, desi ghee jalebi shall be your date for the night. You will love it and you will want to take it home, that’s all I can say!