Old Delhi Food Trail
Old Delhi Food Trail: Hop, Scotch & Jump!
A day in the life of gastrointestinal and gustatory cells JJ
Ye dilli hai meri jaan….
Yahan ishq, mohabbat, pyaar…
That is what Dilli – 6 reflects; in its meandering by-lanes, of mysterious stories that old walls speak of an era of Shahjahanabad, the tinkle of rainbow coloured bangles with its tell-tale story of love – Old Delhi releases its fragrances not only from the itr (perfume), but also from the food trail that can be traced back to 18th century.
The right way to walk straight into the century, is to begin your “ 5 AM Club” at Paranthewaali galli with Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan – which is not the man himself, but a legacy of about 60-70 varieties of delicious paranthas, a savoury of every Punjabi household culture
Order as you like it
“ Karela (Bitter gourd) parantha”, “ Nimboo (Lemon) Parantha”, “Mixed vegetable”….well, the list is as endless as your taste buds.
Beware of your desires: Do not load yourself full, as there is yet a long trail ahead!
THIS IS THE WAY TO FRY, FRY & DEEP FRY ……
Long and meandering bylanes not only offer a search for authentic street food, but give a glimpse of colour symmetry of bangles, hair adornments, footwear and all the “dilli 6 maal” (goods) – in case they can tempt to divert your attention for a stopover.
Although your belly needs the parantha break, but dil maange mor as your nose buds get lured into flavour of pure desi ghee at the most famous Shiv Misthan bhandar, where the queque is endless – both, of jalebis and foodies.
YOU ARE AS PROLIFIC AS THE JALEBI YOU EAT…
Your gastrointestinal cells (stomach) and gustatory cells (taste buds) have put a full stop, but your desirous needs burp ahead, as the clock strikes 1, and your passion catches 1942’s King of Naan at Kake di Hatti dangling its 18 inches deliciously cooked Naan in front of your voyeuristic taste buds.
Kake di Hatti is a small one storeyed food joint, where one finds intellectual slogan-eering hanging across its walls, giving you food and thought for life while you wait for that longest in size served naan with varied fillings that range from potatoes, paneer and a mix of onion. Not to miss the special “Maa (mother) ki daal (black lentil)” (I have often wondered, what has motherhood got to do with naming this black lentil anyways??! Answer perhaps lies in the bed of heaviness one feels after devouring it – as if you need to lie in your mum’s lap with as an immediate effect!).
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While you can barely manage to climb downstairs, with your eyes drooping, there is a nudge that lifts up your chin to catch Giani’s since 1956 that pulls your body parts with the eyes wide open to halwas – the moong daal ( a kind of lentil), gajar (carrot) and what not…..making it almost criminal, if not tasted!
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With packed bags of food hanging on a weight – loaded body, you feel almost nostalgic with pain ( is it your stomach or the heart) bidding adieu to Dilli 6 – till we eat and meet again!
Section:: Journey
