In India, street food is a way of life. Every region has its own special delicacies that are adored by the locals, which are made from a diverse range of flavours, spices and textures, giving each dish a unique and delicious taste.
Although most Indian street food dishes are relatively simple and easy to make, they never fail to explode in an array of rich exotic flavours, leaving you craving more.
Indian street food has now become one of the most popular foods worldwide, and is considered by many to be the hidden gem of Indian cuisine. From samosas, to pakoras, to gol guppa, this article will teach you all you need to know about the wonderful world of Indian street food and the best Indian Street Food Edinburgh has to offer.
The Best Indian Street Food in Edinburgh: Radge Chaat
If you are looking to delve into the wonderful world of Indian cuisine, what better place to start than celebrity chef Tony Singh’s very own Indian street food container.
Tony started Radge Chaat during the pandemic, along with his brother Lucky, in order to introduce ‘Chaat’ to the people of Edinburgh. In Punjab, where his family is from, Chaat is more than just a savoury snack; it is a way of life.
Not only does Tony offer all of the most popular traditional Indian street foods that will be listed in this article, but he also has a tendency to give Scottish dishes an Indian twist. For example, he recently served mince pie samosas at Christmas, and a haggis, neaps and tatties inspired Chaat to celebrate Burns Night! All of Radge Chaat’s delicious dishes are also available to order on Deliveroo if you are in the Edinburgh area, and you can view our menu below.
What is the History of Indian Street Food?
Practically every Indian street food has its own fascinating history, which is often contested, colourful and different depending on whom you ask.
On the streets of Delhi today, you can find kebab vendors who claimed their families once served the Mughal kings, while in Kolkata you can taste fusion street food that was created during the colonial times for the British. The country’s favourite sweet, the Jalebi, was brought to India by Persian traders during the middle ages. While Pay Phaji, which is a combination of bread and curry, was said to have originated in the 1800s as a dinner for Mumbai’s factory workers, who would pick up the day’s leftovers on the way home for their nightshift.
Despite the diverse history of Indian Street Food, which is almost as varied as the spices and flavours used to produce it, street food remains at the heart of contemporary Indian life today. It is a core pillar of society, providing an income for over ten million vendors, and providing sustenance for those who cannot afford to cook at home.
What are the Different Types of Indian street food?
With each region of the country serving its own specialities, one of the great things about Indian street food is the sheer variety of options, which cater for everyone, from meat-eaters to vegetarians and vegans. Not only is it affordable, accessible and delicious, but it often comes in appetiser-sized portions, which allow customers to taste a range of the different flavours on offer and gain a thorough insight into the vast world of Indian cuisine.
The list of Indian street food dishes that you must try is long and varied, and we understand that the many different choices can be overwhelming at times, which is why we have put together a list of our top 5 favourites. We serve all of these dishes at Radge Chaat, so come along to try the best Indian Street Food Edinburgh has.
Chaat
Chaat is hands down the best Indian street food there is. It describes an entire category of savoury street foods that is served across India. With its aromatic spices and tangy sauces, Chaat is a great place to start if you are new to the delicious world of Indian cuisine.
The contents of Chaat vary by region, but they all share a common combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy and savoury ingredients. The dish typically consists of a plate piled high with many ingredients, with a starchy base, lots of vegetables, chutney and yoghurt, a crunchy topping and a dusting of Chaat Masala.
While each component of Indian Chaat is relatively simple, when combined they’re pure magic, hitting every flavour note of the taste buds. If you wish to try some truly authentic Indian Chaat, you can find the best Indian street food Edinburgh has to offer at Radge Chaat, which is located in a bright blue shipping container at 5 West Tollcross. View our menu online.
2. Pakoras
Next up is Pakoras, which are delicious fritters that are made by coating mixed vegetables in a spice and chickpea flour batter and then deep-frying. Pakoras come in all different shapes and sizes and are often served with an array of sauces or chutney. They are not only served at street food vendors, but also in homes and restaurants as appetisers.
At Radge Chaat, you can try our delicious Pakora Chaat, which is bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs. The Pakoras are served with coriander and mint chutney, tamarind sauce and rich spiced yoghurt.
3. Samosas
The samosa is arguably the most popular Indian street food snack, and is the most well known globally. They are deep-fried triangle-shaped pockets that can have many different fillings, ranging from ground meat to vegetables such as onions, lentils, spiced potatoes, peas and carrots. These savoury triangles provide a perfect introduction to the world of Indian cuisine for newcomers due to their crunchy texture and a variety of different flavours.
Just like pakoras, while samosas are commonly served at street food vendors, they can also be found in Indian homes and at restaurants as appetizers.
At Radge Chaat, our tasty samosas are served hot, bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs, and topped with coriander and mint chutney, tamarind sauce and rich spiced yoghurt. Come along and ask for our ‘Samosa Chaat’ to taste what our customers have referred to as the best samosas they have ever tried!
4. Gol Guppa
Gol Guppa, which is also known as Panipuri, is a dish made from unleavened deep-fried bread, called puri, which is round and hollow. Once they are fried, the puris are filled with a variety of savoury fillings, starting with a spoonful of imli pani (flavoured water), followed by a mixture of potatoes, chutneys, onions, chillies and chaat masala.
You can try some scrumptious Gol Guppa at Radge Chaat, where we serve these crispy balls, packed with potatoes, vegetables, back salt and spiced sour mango water.
A top tip is to try and eat these tasty balls in one big bite to avoid the filling oozing everywhere! They will burst in your mouth and immerse your taste buds in a delicious explosion of flavours.
5. Chana Masala
Last but not least, Chana Masala is a speciality of Northern India, and is a tangy chickpea curry that can be consumed either as a snack or a main meal. It is the most popular vegetarian dish in India, and can be found in most streets, canteens, or festive occasions across India.
There are different regional versions of the dish, but it is typically made by simmering chickpeas in a combination of spices and herbs, and is often served with rice or Indian flatbreads, and garnished with yoghurt or sour cream.
Why not come along to Radge Chaat, where we serve the best Indian Street Food Edinburgh has, to try some wholesome Punjabi Chana Masala, made with ginger, chillies, and fresh herbs, and finished with citrus and dry mango powder.
Read Radge Chaat’s fantastic reviews to find out why it is The Best Indian Street Food Edinburgh has to offer…
“Finally got there for lunch today and wasn’t disappointed at the mouth watering flavours. The Gol Guppa are little taste explosions in the mouth…sooo delicious. And the Chana Chaat is very tasty and filling.”
- Ewan
“Food from Radge Chaat is amazing! Your taste buds will explode with all the flavours. From the spicy chickpea curry to the freshness of the salad to the chaat. Absolutely delicious! We also managed to get mince pie samosas, which were fantastic! We will be back soon.”
- Lesley
“A must visit when in Edinburgh! The best samosa’s I’ve ever tried!! You can taste the freshness of all the ingredients. I can’t wait to go back next time in town!”
- Georgie
“Amazing super fresh food cooked to order, deliciously tangy but not spicy hot, you can really taste every element in every dish. I've visited Radge Chaat so many times it's almost my second home.”
- Samantha
Come and Try the Best Indian Street Food in Edinburgh Today!
Well what are you waiting for? Immerse yourselves within the rich culinary diversity of India and try some authentic Indian Chaat today.
Come on down to Radge Chaat at 5 West Tollcross, Edinburgh, where we serve the best Indian street food Edinburgh has to offer every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12pm-3pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 12pm-10pm.
And don’t forget to follow us on social media to keep up to date with our latest news, updates and Chaat…