Delhi

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Local street stalls

More Photos
Sharon
Sharon
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
1
Photo

Local street stalls

  • July 10, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Sharon from Lancaster, Ontario
Local street stalls

Eating in India can present a challenge! For health resons a vegetarian diet is wise, as sanitation for meat is doubtful. Obviously, as the cow is sacred, you beef eaters will have to make do with buffalo if the cravings get too bad! Actually buffalo is not too bad, a little tough, but tasty. There are many small street stalls/restaurants in every town in India, and I highly recommend patronizing them. Many people who get sick in India have done so by a false feeling of security that 'upscale' restaurants give. If you think about it, the food was grown, slaughtered, refrigerated, etc. in the same place no matter where you eat. I mean the suspect ice cream that costs 10 cents off a street stall costs $3 at the Hyatt, and comes from the same dairy, and was transported in the same semi-refrigerated truck! At street stalls you see the cooking, so you can judge the cleanliness by the cook, the utensils, and also by the number of locals patronizing the business...not so at the five star restaurants! My father got deathly ill once from a pricey dinner at the Bombay Oberoi, and we never got sick eating street food. Selection at these places is great, rice and nan bread) are staples, but a wide variety of lentil and vegetable concotions are available to round out your meal. Beverages include tea (chai), bottled water, pop, and that great Indian drink, the lassi. Lassi is a mixture of yogurt and fruit/spices, very thirst quenching and nutritious, just make sure there's no ice! Some basic rules apply to eating/drinking in India, eat nothing raw, unless you can wash it in bottled water and peel it yourself(oranges, bananas etc.). Cooked food must be hot, not tepid. Beverages must not contain ice, make sure your water bottles haven't been re-filled with tap water, and your chai is hot. As mentioned before you most likely WILL get delhi-belly at some point, but by eating in busy spots, being smart and avoiding meat, you should minimize your troubles! India is basically 'dry', and you won't find alcohol on many menus! But if you'd like a Tiger beer or rum and cola, simply ask and someone will be sent running to find you some..almost always succesfully! So my recommendations for Indian cuisine, don't be afraid to try new stuff (it's pennies a serving), use your head, and enjoy.

From journal India with the kids

Compare Delhi Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Delhi Travel Deals