City Food - White Rasgulla + Double Roti, Around Town

City Food – White Rasgulla + Double Roti, Around Town

An unusual pairing. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Lalta Prasad has been selling this unusual combo of white rasgulla-and-double roti (white bread) that obviously appeals. As a street vendor he’s hawked the specialty for more than 20 years…

City Food - Vanshas Candy Cart, Sadar Bazaar, Gurgaon

City Food – Vanshas Candy Cart, Sadar Bazaar, Gurgaon

Childhood rekindled. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Some experiences belong to only premillennial childhoods. Like being able to spend, and enjoy, an entire day without the smartphone. Or, being addicted to unbranded candies, mouth fresheners and spicy churans…

City Food - Devi Prasad’s Chai Stall, Paharganj

City Food – Devi Prasad’s Chai Stall, Paharganj

The ideal tea stop. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Finally found! The pavement chai shop that arguably serves the town’s very best chai. But, first, let’s make something clear. There is no “best” chai shack in Delhi, because…

City Food - Baiju Tea Stall, Naya Bazar, Gurgaon

City Food – Baiju Tea Stall, Naya Bazar, Gurgaon

Bihar calling. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Baiju Tea Stall in Gurgaon’s Naya Bazar has all the romance of standard street-side chai shacks littered across the National Capital Region—the friendly owner, the chipped kettles, the tangy scent of…

City Food - Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale, Kinari Bazaar

City Food – Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale, Kinari Bazaar

Sweet leftover. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Khurchan means ”scraped leftovers” in Hindi. The preparation sounds simple: boil the milk, scrape off the cream as it appears on the top, and eventually mix it with “bhoora”, or powdered…

Julia Child in Delhi - Ayeshe Sadr's "Awesome Chocolate Cake", Mehrauli

Julia Child in Delhi – Ayeshe Sadr’s “Awesome Chocolate Cake”, Mehrauli

The great chef’s life in Delhi. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] As the possessive owner of 50 gorgeous saris, a beautiful silver “sari-belt” and a much-loved cake recipe, Ayeshe Sadr seems to be enjoying a reasonably contended existence…

City Food - Unusual Tikki, Gupta Chaat Corner

City Food – Unusual Tikki, Gupta Chaat Corner

A popular snack’s strange adaptation. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Nobody can object to the fact that deep-fried aloo patties soused in a cold gravy of dahi and chutneys make up the essentials of a respectable plate of…

City Food - Chuski, Around Town

City Food – Chuski, Around Town

Season’s ice candy. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Of course, there are more sophisticated options to beat this horrible Delhi heat— smoothies, gelatos, cold-pressed juices and coconut water. But sucking on chuski, perhaps, is the rawest way of…

City Food - Bel Sherbet, Galli Suiwallan Street

City Food – Bel Sherbet, Galli Suiwallan Street

Shiva’s drink. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He sells only one kind of sherbet, but on the other hand it’s said to be Lord Shiva’s favourite. Bel or wood apple sherbet, dispensed at Nafees Khan’s stall, is also…

City Food - Summer Water & Snacks, New Colony Road, Gurgaon

City Food – Summer Water & Snacks, New Colony Road, Gurgaon

Summer’s friend. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s miserably hot. The blinding white sun is showing no concession. The very air seems to be slowly boiling. A thirsty man is walking on the street when, suddenly, a voice…