Mumbai vs Delhi: The Great

Street Food

Debate

Quick Summary

Every great universe requires two things - a loyal fan base and an epic rivalry. The superhero universe has Marvel vs DC. The K-pop fandom had ARMY (BTS) vs BLINK (Blackpink). And the Indian street food universe has Mumbai vs Delhi. Mumbai and Delhi have been pitted against each other on everything, from long jams to famous attractions. But the Mumbai street food vs Delhi street food is one rivalry where flavour and nostalgia colour every battleground. 

Deep Dive

When it comes to street food, there is no fixed criterion on what makes it tick. And yet, people are known to vow allegiance to a street vendor, or even turn a roadside eatery into a landmark, especially in India. The good thing about Indian street food is that every city, region, and area has its own charm - from the Lucknowi kebabs to egg rolls from Kolkata. But few regions lock horns and fight to bag the top spot like Delhi and Mumbai. Now, if you’ve had Delhi street food, you know that chole bhature, momos, and chaat are food for the soul. And if you’ve tried Mumbai street food, you know that vada pao, pao bhaji, and bhel puri can carry you through the never-ending nights in the city that never sleeps. But if the competition is about Delhi vs Mumbai street food, can there be a clear winner? Dig in to find out.

Delhi Vs Mumbai Street Food: The History

Delhi may not have been India’s first capital, but it has always been an epicentre of influences. And nowhere is that more evident than in its street food. Today, the dishes that make up Delhi’s street food—the kebabs, chaats, chole bhature, parathas, and momos– have been passed down from the royal kitchens of the Mughals, the hearts (and memories) of Punjabi immigrants, and the resourceful meal prep from Tibetan and Nepali kitchens. 

If Delhi street food is a melting pot of influences, justifying its catchphrase, “Dilli dilwalon ki” (Delhi belongs to the large-hearted), then Mumbai street food is tied to quick sustenance. The 19th century marked the mill era for Mumbai (and most of India). Short on time and funds, the mill workers needed quick, affordable meals that could sustain them for longer. Dishes like pao bhaji, vada pao, misal pao, bhel puri, and others married simple ingredients with quick prep, feeding a growing working class. Slowly, as the city dwellers explored other cuisines and the city’s population diversified, items like sandwiches, frankies, dabeli, etc., entered the mix.

What Sets Delhi & Mumbai Street Food Apart?

It’s not just their origins that set apart Mumbai and Delhi street food. It’s the purpose they serve and the flavour they champion:  

Purpose: Soul vs Speed

Delhi enjoys its street food. Whether it’s eating crispy aloo chaat at a busy corner or sharing a table with five strangers to enjoy chole bhature on a Sunday morning, you don’t rush street food in Delhi. Because it’s soul food. 

Mumbai is always on the run. Here, the street food is quick to consume. A vada pao is over in 4 to 5 bites, no matter how slowly you eat it. Bhel puri is a fueling pitstop in between shopping trips. And Frankie is designed for portability!

Flavour Profile: Rich & Bold vs Zesty & Standard

Ghee-laden kebabs that melt in your mouth, paranthas stuffed with spiced filling and deep fried in hot oil, piping hot momos with a fiery chutney, and daulat ki chaat that feels lighter than air — that’s the range of Delhi’s street food. It’s bold in taste, flavoured with a medley of spices, and meant to be enjoyed. And at every street corner, the taste changes slightly; a hyperlocal world of flavour. 

Mumbai street food, on the other hand, favours a tangy burst in most dishes, from sev puri to kanda poha. The flavours are compact and packed in sandwiches and rolls; no runny sauces and thick gravies here. Even the trademark red colored garlic chutney defines vada pao with its powdery twist. And despite the multiple stalls in the city, the flavours largely remain the same. It’s familiar and comfortable. 

Must-Have Dishes From Must-Try Joints

If you’re yet to sample the street food from both, or any of these metros, then we’ve got you covered. Here are the top street food dishes that you must try when you visit Delhi or Mumbai.

Delhi Street Food Items

• Chole Bhature: Chickpea gravy served with deep-fried and puffed flatbreads. Chole Bhature has a special place in the heart of most Delhiites. It’s also why everyone has a favourite joint they swear serves the most drool-worthy combo. But some of the top spots are Sita Diwan Chand in Paharganj, Baba Nagpal in Lajpat Nagar, and Chache Di Hatti in Kamla Nagar.
• Daulat ki Chaat: While chaat is mostly savoury and spicy, Daulat ki Chaat is a sweet, seasonal street food available during winters in Chandni Chowk. Milk is churned for hours on a bed of ice to create a foamy, frothy dessert commonly served with dry fruits. 
• Paranthe: Paratha is a famous Indian flatbread, usually made with a wheat flour dough. The most famous versions in Delhi are found in Chandni Chowk, where flatbreads with every stuffing you can imagine, from peas and bottle gourd to khoya and rabri, are sold. The trick is that instead of just cooking on a tawa, these paranthas are also fried. They’re heavy on calories, taste, and nostalgia. These paranthas are the reason “paranthe wali gali” is synonymous with Old Delhi. While these are a special type of parantha, you can find simple but delicious stuffed flatbreads at many street stalls. 
• Momos: If you know a person from Delhi, you know they love momos. Even though these steamed dumplings with minced meat or chopped vegetable fillings have not always been around, they have now seeped into the Delhi culture. You can spot a momo stall on most streets in Delhi, but areas like Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Satya Niketan, and Connaught Place are usually favoured over others. 
• Kathi Rolls: Wraps filled with various ingredients, usually soft, meat kebabs, make up kathi rolls - a popular snack in Delhi, especially because of Nizam’s Kathi Kabab. Serving rolls since 1975, the food joint is as much a part of Delhi’s legacy as the Qutub Minar and India Gate. 
• Nihari: Come Ramzaan, and you will find the area beside Jama Masjid crowded with food lovers. While it’s tough to compete with kebabs and mohabbat ka sherbet (rose-flavoured sherbet), Nihari has a separate fan base. You have to rise early in the morning to enjoy this slow-cooked meat stew. Originally a breakfast dish served in the royal kitchens of the Mughals, it’s cooked overnight at many places even today. By the time the morning bustle starts, the dish is over, and the satiated stomachs are enjoying a mid-morning nap.
• Golgappe and Aloo Tikki: Few combos scream street food like golgappe and aloo tikki. Golgappe are crispy, hollow puris filled with spiced water, chutneys, and potatoes. Aloo tikki is a fried potato patty, served with yoghurt and chutneys. Most vendors sell both items, and while locals have their favourites, Bittu Tikki Wala in Netaji Subhash Place is one of the most well-known joints.

Mumbai Street Food Items

• Vada Pao: Dubbed as India’s answer to the American burger, vada pao includes a well-spiced potato fritter and dry chutney stuffed in a soft bun that feels good anytime of the day, whether you use it to break your fast or end your night. You’re likely to find a vada pao vendor at every street corner in Mumbai, but the most popular spots are Ashok Vada Pav in Dadar, Aaram Vada Pav near CSMT, Graduate Vada Pav in Byculla, and Anand Stall near Mithibai College.
• Pao Bhaji: A rich, mashed vegetable curry served with lightly buttered buns, pao bhaji is a staple street food of Mumbai. While the stalls at Juhu Beach remain the undisputed king of pao bhaji, Maruti Pav Bhaji in Vile Parle, Lalta Pav Bhaji in Ghatkopar, and the multiple outlets of Amar Juice Centre are also worth visiting.
• Bhel Puri: A light snack made with puffed rice, raw onions, chutneys, and spices, bhel puri may sound similar to Kolkata’s jhalmuri. But what sets it apart is the small papdi crumbled into the mix. Sev puri is a close cousin, imitating the same flavours. However, instead of mixing the padi into the mix, the rice mixture is placed on individual papdi, ensuring each bite comes with a satisfying crunch. Bhelpuri stalls are a dime a dozen in Mumbai, but Bhelpuri House in Colaba and stalls on Chowpatty and Juhu beach are crowd favourites.
• Bombil Fry: While most of Mumbai’s street food favours vegetarians, Bombil Fry stands tall on its own. A must-have for lovers of seafood and fried delicacies, Bombil Fry features Bombay duck fish, marinated with spices and coated with semolina, then shallow-fried to perfection. Highway Gomantak in Bandra and Maasoli Lunch Home in Shivaji Park are famous for serving a crispy dish every time. 
• Frankie: Mumbai’s answer to Delhi’s kathi rolls, frankie is a kind of wrap or Indian roll with Indian gravy, vegetables, and secret masala rolled in a paratha. Inspired by the Lebanese pita roll, Amarjit Singh Tibb invented the dish in 1969 in Mumbai. Today, Tibbs Frankie is considered the OG roll of Mumbai and can be found in multiple outlets across the city. 
• Bombay Sandwich: At first glance, the Bombay sandwich may look like any other sandwich. But like every other dish, it’s also a marriage of speed and flavour. Thick, coriander chutney, thinly sliced potatoes, cucumbers, onions, beetroots, and tomatoes are placed inside lightly buttered bread. Butter is used to grill the sandwich to a crisp. Some variations include cheese or capsicum in the mix. 
• Gola: Much like pao bhaji, gola is also famously found at the Juhu beach stalls. Crushed ice is mixed with flavorful syrups and served on a stick. Coarser than an ice lolly, it’s a dish that goes against the Mumbai spirit of speed. For it’s meant to be slowly savoured and enjoyed. The syrup ends far before the ice melts, prompting a revisit to the vendor for an extra topping. 

This list is just the start. Delhi is also home to Ram Laddus, samosas, shawarmas, kulfi-faluda, and street-style Indo-Chinese dishes like chowmein and spring rolls. And Mumbai readily serves dhokla, aam ras, bheja fry, and bun maska with chai. 

You could take on food walks, bookmark every weekend in a month, or dedicate an hour every day to exploring the popular street food joints across the two cities. And you might still not be able to cover them all. And that’s the joy of street food – you can never get enough of it. 

Can There Only Be One Winner?

Mumbai and Delhi’s culinary legacies stretch beyond borders. Both cities have adopted each other’s star dishes, experimented with flavours, and yet, preserved the original recipes. This is why, even though the Delhi vs Mumbai street food debate occurs time after time, the winner remains the same - the end consumer. Because the food may be served on the street, but its taste, joy, and memory linger in the hearts of users.