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Exploring the markets in Chandigarh? Well, irrespective of what you buy and don’t, indulging in street food in Chandigarh is a must. This bustling capital city has a lot to offer in terms of the food and dishes that are available from the local street vendors. Be it some tangy and crunchy chaat or some appetising chole and kulcha, the list of foods that you can try is quite long. The street food options truly bring out the rich culinary heritage that prevails across North India.
Top 10 Street Foods In Chandigarh
It doesn’t matter if you’re strolling through bustling markets or enjoying a quiet evening, the street food scene is an
integral part of Chandigarh’s charm.
1. Aloo Tikki
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Aloo Tikki is a beloved snack in Chandigarh, known for its crispy exterior and soft, spiced potato filling. It is made using boiled potatoes mixed with green chillies, coriander, and spices. These patties are deep-fried until golden brown. Once the tikkis are fried to golden perfection, they are then topped with tangy tamarind and refreshing mint chutneys. Depending on where you are eating it, some even have yoghurt on top. It’s a common sight to see people enjoying these at roadside stalls, making it an iconic street food staple. In most cases, there are chaat and tikki combinations available in every corner of Chandigarh.
Where To Try: Roadside vendors in Sector 22
Cost: ₹30 – 50 per plate
2. Chole Bhature
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Chole Bhature is a quintessential North Indian dish that has found its way into the hearts of Chandigarh’s residents. It is one of those dishes that you can enjoy for breakfast or as a quick snack after exploring the local markets. This dish features spicy chickpeas, cooked with an array of spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala, which provide a rich, robust flavour. The bhature, deep-fried bread made from fermented dough, is light, fluffy, and the perfect accompaniment to the spicy chole. The dish is typically served with sliced onions and a side of pickles, so you do get to indulge in a lot of flavours at a time.
Where To Try: Nagpal’s Chole Bhature, Punjabi Chole Bhature, Kaaku
Cost: ₹80 – 100 per plate
3. Golgappa/Pani Puri
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Golgappa, known as Pani Puri in many parts of India, is a must-try street food in Chandigarh. These crisp, hollow puris are filled with a mixture of spiced water, chickpeas, and potatoes, creating a burst of flavour with each bite. The tangy, spicy water is a refreshing contrast to the crispy puris, making this dish a favourite, especially during the warm months. The best place to try Gol Gappa in Chandigarh is on the roadside stalls. The rustic flavour and the experience of enjoying it at a roadside “thela” is what adds to the experience further.
Where To Try: Roadside vendors in Sector 14
Cost: ₹30 – 50 per plate
4. Dahi Bhalla
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If you are in the mood for something cooling yet delectable for your stomach, Dahi Bhalla is the perfect option. It is a popular snack and street food in Chandigarh and is a refreshing dish perfect for the hot summer months. This delightful snack features soft lentil dumplings soaked in creamy yoghurt and topped with tangy tamarind chutney and spicy seasoning. The dahi Bhalla is usually served with some sweet tamarind chutney on top, masala and some sev sprinkled on top. Some vendors even sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top of the dish, adding to the taste and crunch.
Where To Try: Sector 17
Cost: ₹40 – 60 per plate
5. Pav Bhaji
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Pav Bhaji is a spicy vegetable mash that is served with buttered bread rolls. Originating from Mumbai, this dish has become a favourite in Chandigarh as well. The bhaji, made from a medley of vegetables, is cooked on a flat griddle and seasoned with spices, resulting in a rich, flavourful dish. You can’t cut out the butter from this dish though, even if you want to be healthy. The butter is where the main flavour lies, so don’t compromise on that at all. The pav, typically slathered with butter, complements the bhaji beautifully. It’s a filling and satisfying meal that appeals to both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.
Where To Try: Sector 15, Chandigarh
Cost: ₹70 – 90 per plate
6. Kachori
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Kachoris are deep-fried pastries filled with spiced lentils or peas, making them a delicious and satisfying snack. Their crispy exterior gives way to a soft, flavourful filling, often accompanied by tangy chutney. Kachoris are especially popular for breakfast or as an evening snack, and they pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai. The best place to try some food kachori in Chandigarh would be at the popular sweet shops. Many people enjoy it as a snack during the evening, pairing it with some chai, aka tea. Some enjoy it during breakfast, pairing it with some jalebi for a sweet and spicy combo.
Where To Try: Shiv Misthan Bhandar, Pandit G Kachori Wale
Cost: ₹20 – 30 each
7. Samosa
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Samosas are a quintessential Indian snack that is loved across the country, and Chandigarh is no exception. These triangular pastries are stuffed with a savoury filling of spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes lentils, then deep-fried to achieve a golden, crispy exterior. They are quite popular across the city, especially during the evening, when people gather around the outside of the sweet shops to buy some piping hot samosa. Samosas are usually served with a side of tangy tamarind chutney, which further enhances the taste of the dish.
Where To Try: Samosa Junction, Saini Samosa Corner
Cost: ₹10 – 15 each
8. Tandoori Chicken
Photo: Rajeeb Dutta / wikimedia commons
If you are looking to try some non-vegetarian snacks and street food options across Chandigarh, Tandoori Chicken is a great option. The charred meat has robust flavours, which stick to your tongue long after you are done eating it. One of the main attractions of this dish is the marination. The chicken is usually marinated in a blend of spices and yoghurt and left overnight. The next day, the marinated chicken is skewered and then roasted inside a tandoor, which is where the dish gets its name from. Often served with mint chutney and onion rings, Tandoori Chicken is a must-try for meat lovers visiting Chandigarh.
Where To Try: Baba Chicken in Sector 35
Cost: ₹200 – 300 per plate
9. Jalebi
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For travellers who are hunting for some good dessert options on the streets of Chandigarh, Jalebi is a great choice. These spiral-shaped sweets are made from a fermented batter that is deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup, resulting in a crispy exterior and a sticky, sweet interior. Often enjoyed hot, Jalebi is a delightful treat that pairs well with a cup of chai, making it a favourite for both locals and visitors alike. You can also top the piping hot jalebi with some cold rabri on top, further adding to the contrast of flavours and textures.
Where To Try: The Gulati’s Jalebi & Rabri Junction, Gopal’s Sweets
Cost: ₹50 – 70 for a plate
10. Bhalla Papdi
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Bhalla Papdi is a refreshing dish that combines crispy papdis with soft bhallas, yoghurt, and a variety of chutneys. The bhallas, made from lentils, are soaked in yoghurt and topped with a sprinkle of spices and sev. This dish is not only visually appealing but also offers a burst of flavours and textures that delight the palate, making it a popular choice for street food lovers. If you are tired of eating the same kind of chaat dishes across Chandigarh and want to experience something new, Bhalla Papdi is a great alternative to try.
Where To Try: Burger Engineer, Sector 32
Cost: ₹40 – 60 per plate
There are different types of street foods in Chandigarh, each catering to the unique palate of every traveller. Be it
homely dishes like Dahi Bhalla to something with robust and complex flavours Tandoor chicken, you can find it all. So, without any further delay, sort out your next vacation to Chandigarh with TripXL to experience this culinary scene for yourself.
Cover Photo: Sutapa Pal / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
