India's vibrant street food culture, renowned globally for its irresistible offerings, has encountered a twist with the unveiling of TasteAtlas' latest compilation - the '10 Worst Rated Indian Street Foods'. The nation's street food tableau caters to diverse palates, from the tantalising chaat of Uttar Pradesh to Delhi's hearty chole bhature, Mumbai's iconic vada pav, and South India's crispy fried idli. TasteAtlas, a travel and culinary guide platform, has published this intriguing list, prompting a closer examination of the perceived culinary blunders that have earned their place. It is important to note that TasteAtlas emphasises that their rankings are based on their "audience" and "do not represent an ultimate global judgement" on these dishes.
Securing the dubious pinnacle in this list is Maharashtra's "Dahi Puri". The dish presents a puri shell, replete with a filling of potatoes, masala, and optionally onions, infused with an array of chutneys. The creation is then crowned with whipped yoghurt, crisp sev, and a garnish of fresh coriander leaves.
Madhya Pradesh's distinctive sev is the next entry, featuring noodle-like strands of fried dough. The term "sev" draws from the word "siv," connoting sewing due to its thread-like appearance. Prepared from gram flour and seasoned with ajwain and turmeric, this savoury delight is bestowed with a satisfying crunch after deep-frying.
Gujarat's renowned "Dabeli" clinches the third position on this ranking. Comprising toasted ladi pav buns housing a mashed potato filling infused with an aromatic spice blend of coriander, turmeric, cardamom, fennel seeds, pepper, and other spices, Dabeli finds its culmination in an assembly of roasted peanuts, pomegranate seeds, and a sprinkling of sev.
The quintessentially popular Bombay sandwich claims the fourth position in this roster, presenting a twist to the traditional culinary narrative. Following suit is the omnipresent egg bhurji, a scrambled egg dish savored across every corner of the city.
Continuing the enumeration are North India's "Dahi Vada", a tantalizing yoghurt-laden indulgence, and Maharashtra's sabudana vada, featuring deep-fried sago fritters.
For enthusiasts of "Papdi Chaat", an archetypal favourite, the news might be disheartening as it finds its place in TasteAtlas' list of '10 Worst Rated Indian Street Foods'. Concluding this catalogue are Punjab's "Gobi Parantha", enriched with butter or ghee, and South India's diminutive yet flavourful "Bonda" - a spicy potato mixture encased in a crispy fried exterior.
Check out the full list here.