A Guide To Street Food In India
India’s street food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavours and culinary traditions that produced some of the most delicious dishes we have ever tasted! However, concerns about food safety often hold people back from fully experiencing this mouthwatering aspect of Indian culture. That’s why we wanted to create this guide to help you navigate the exciting world of Indian street food while minimizing the risk of the dreaded Delhi Belly! Below, we highlight 10 top tips to help you avoid Delhi Belly while enjoying all the delights Indian street food has to offer!
We Value Your Time
We value your time! Use our table of contents above to navigate our guide easily, and if you’re short on time right now, feel free to pin this guide on Pinterest for later!
Pin It On Pinterest
You Can Also Check Out Our Firsthand Street Food Experience In Delhi On YouTube!
Understanding Delhi Belly
Delhi Belly is a colloquial term for travellers’ diarrhoea and is a common concern for visitors to India. It’s typically caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites that our immune systems are not accustomed to handling. This can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. While it can be unpleasant, following some simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk.
10 Top Tips To Enjoy Street Food In India
1. Choose Busy Stalls
The absolute number one tip we can give to avoid Delhi Belly is to opt for busy stalls with a high turnover! This is one of the most effective strategies to enjoy street food in India safely. Here’s why choosing bustling food vendors can enhance your street food experience:
Freshness of Ingredients
Busy stalls typically have a high customer turnover, meaning the food is prepared and served quickly. This high demand often leads to fresher ingredients as items are less likely to sit out for long periods. This minimizes the risk of foodborne illnesses caused by stale or improperly stored ingredients.
Quality Assurance
A crowded stall often indicates the vendor has a good reputation among locals. When you see many people waiting in line, it’s a strong sign that the food is not only delicious but also safe to eat. Locals tend to know which vendors maintain high hygiene standards and serve quality food, so their presence can serve as a form of quality assurance.
You may need to wait in line a little longer if you choose a busy stall, but we think its worth it to avoid the dreaded Delhi belly!
2. Book A Guided Street Food Tour
Booking a street food tour can significantly reduce your risk of Delhi belly from street food in India. Tour guides are local experts and understand which stalls maintain the best food preparation techniques. A tour can, therefore, help you navigate the street food landscape with confidence.
We highly recommend booking a tour that has lots of great reviews! If many other tourists have completed the tour and avoided the dreaded Delhi belly, chances are you will too!
Here are our top street food tour recommendations in Delhi and Jaipur, all with many great reviews:
Best Delhi Street Food Tours
Best Jaipur Street Food Tours
3. Observe Hygiene Practices
Pay attention to the cleanliness of the food preparation area. Look for vendors who:
- Wear gloves or wash hands regularly
- Keep the cooking area tidy
- Handle food and money separately
4. Seek Local Recommendations
As with many things when travelling, the locals always know best!
Don’t hesitate to ask for their favourite street food spots. They often know the most delicious and safest places to eat, helping you discover hidden culinary gems. A lot of locals in larger cities such as Delhi speak English, so you shouldn’t have any issues communicating.
5. Start Small
When trying a new dish, we recommend starting with a small portion, especially if you have not tried much street food abroad before. This allows you to gauge how your stomach reacts before indulging further.
Are You Keeping Up With Our India Series?
Check out our full collection of India Travel Guides here:
India Travel Guides!
6. Prioritize Fresh Ingredients
Choose items that are made to order or prepared in front of you. This ensures that the ingredients are fresh and reduces the risk of contamination from prolonged storage.
7. Stay Hydrated Safely
One of the biggest risks of Delhi Belly isn’t actually from street food in India; it’s from the water! We have several top tips to avoid Delhi Belly from water:
- ALWAYS drink bottled water instead of tap water.
- Be very cautious with ice in drinks, especially when getting street food and drinks in India, as the ice may be made from tap water! If in doubt – leave it out!
- Always check your bottles are sealed!! There are several scams running where used bottles will be refilled with tap water and sold again. Our best advice is to always check the seal clicks when you open a new bottle.
- An additional tip is to always scrunch up your used bottles before throwing them away. This stops the bottles from being reused and helps others out in the future!
8. Avoid Raw Foods
Speaking of water, it is a good idea to steer clear of raw salads or unpeeled fruits that may have been washed in tap water. Cooked foods are generally safer options as high temperatures kill harmful bacteria.
9. Go for Well-Cooked Items
Opt for thoroughly cooked foods such as:
- Samosas
- Pakoras
- Grilled items
- Breads like naan or roti
These items are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria due to the cooking process.
10. Be Mindful of Spices
Indian street food can be intensely spicy. If you’re not accustomed to spicy foods, ask for milder versions to avoid digestive discomfort. You can gradually build up your spice tolerance throughout your trip.
11. Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn’t look or smell right, it’s best to avoid it. Trust your gut feeling when it comes to food safety. It’s better to be cautious than to risk illness.
12. Go Veggie
One of the most significant risks of food poisoning from street food is from undercooked or improperly stored meat. Therefore, opting for vegetarian dishes can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing Delhi belly. Additionally, many vegetarian street foods in India, such as samosas, pakoras, and various chaats, are freshly prepared and served hot, minimising contamination risk.
India has one of the largest vegetarian populations in the world, so the food is always delicious and supplied everywhere!
Pin It On Pinterest
Must-Try Street Food In India
Here are some of our favourite Indian street foods:
- Paratha’s: Flatbreads made from whole wheat flour and cooked on a hot griddle. They are stuffed with various fillings, such as spiced potatoes (aloo), paneer (Indian cottage cheese), or mixed vegetables, making them versatile and perfect for every taste. Parathas are typically accompanied by yoghurt, pickles, or curries and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Samosas: Golden-brown thin pastry dough stuffed with a savoury filling. Typically shaped like a triangular pocket, they are most commonly stuffed with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat.
- Nankhatai: A delicious shortbread cookie made primarily from all-purpose flour (maida), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and a pinch of cardamom, Nankhatai has a rich, buttery flavour and a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
- Aloo Tikki: Crispy potato patties served with chutneys and yoghurt.
- Jalebi: A sweet, deep-fried batter soaked in sugar syrup.
- Dahi Bhalla: A crispy fermented rice and lentil crepe, often served with sambar and chutney.
- Pani Puri: Crispy hollow puffs filled with spicy water, tamarind chutney, and chickpeas.
Top Tip: Be mindful of Pani Puri; while delicious, you need to check if the water they are filled with is thoroughly boiled before use or bottled water.
Conclusion – Street Food In India
Exploring street food in India can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your trip. We hope this guide can help you minimise the risk of Delhi Belly and fully immerse yourself in the country’s rich culinary traditions. Remember, being cautious doesn’t mean missing out – it means enjoying the vibrant flavours of India’s street food scene with peace of mind. So venture out, try new dishes, and let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey through the streets of India!
Don’t hesitate to let us know any questions you might have in the comments below!
Big Love
Beth and Denz