Chaats: Some Delectable Street Foods of India that You Must Try

Chaat is supposed to be the hot favourite Indian street food that has made its way to the overseas shores without any effort. The amazing taste and the unique flavours have made chaats the obvious choice for all those people who love tangy, sweet, hot, and spicy elements all in one lip-smacking dish. A number of delicacies could qualify as chaat. However, the most popular chaats would include Papdi Chaat, Paani Puri, Aloo Tikki Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Bhel Puri, Sev Puri etc. to name just a few.

Even though chaats originated in the streets of India today, you would find them on wedding party menus, birthday celebration menus, and even on the menus of some of the posh Indian restaurants in Toorak. Different types of chaats had their origin in different parts of India. Most chaats are supposed to be served cool. As such they are much preferred and palatable during the sultry summer days.

Bhelpuri

This originated in Mumbai and people in Mumbai love to munch on it and enjoy walking or relaxing on the Juhu Beach in Mumbai. Bhelpuri has become one of the most popular chaats in all parts of the country and also in a foreign land.  Bhel Puri is known for its finger-licking goodness and is made of puffed rice, sev, chopped boiled potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and green chilies, coconut slices, garnished with coriander leaves and drizzled generously with sweet and sour chutneys. This is a delightful snack from the lovely beaches of Mumbai. You could enjoy this lip-smacking street food from India even in the top Indian restaurants based in Toorak.

Aloo Tikki Chaat

This is another popular chaat from India that is loved by both adults and young alike. Aloo tikki chaat consists of a potato patty that is made from mashed potato with some delightful Indian spices, chopped coriander, and green chillies. The aloo tikkis or the patties are drizzled generously with thick curd or dahi and lots of yummy chutneys including the sweet and tangy tamarind chutney and green coriander or mint chutneys. The dish is finished and presented with sev sprinkled on top.

Papri Chaat

Papdis or tiny deep-fried flat bread are mixed with chopped boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coconut slices, garnished with coriander leaves and drizzled generously with nicely beaten thick yogurt, sweet and sour chutneys including the sweet and tangy tamarind chutney and green coriander or mint chutneys. Sev is sprinkled generously for the slightly crunchy feel just before serving so that it does not become soggy by the time it is eaten.

Paani Puri

This dish is known for its magical combination of spicy, tanginess, sweet, and crunchiness. Paani Puris are also referred to as puchkas, gup chup and gol gappas depending on which part of india they are being served. Today you could enjoy having the finger-licking paani puris even in some of the best Indian restaurants located in Toorak, Australia. This is a sweet and sour dish that comprises of little golf ball-sized deep-fried balls made from refined flour. Then the top of the hollow ball is slightly pierced with fingers and then stuffed with mashed boiled potato filling that is delicious thanks to varied desi masala powders, green chillies, coriander, chick peas, and tamarind pulp etc. Once the puris are stuffed with the filling, tamarind soaked spicy water is added to the balls for an extra punch.

Samosa Chaat

This is a hot favourite chaat and is found everywhere across the world even in renowned Indian restaurants based in Toorak. Samosa is a popular Indian savoury dish and is a popular street food in India. These samosas are actually stuffed and deep-fried triangular snacks. Samosas are smashed flat and drizzled with thick beaten curd or dahi, sweet and tangy tamarind chutney and the green coriander or mint chutneys. Just like any other chaat it is sprinkled with sev.

Enjoy mouth-watering chaats if you are in Toorak by reserving a table in any one of the Indian restaurants.