Parathas — The quintessential ghee-loaded methods Indian moms categorical love by means of. The place phrases fall in need of conveying an ‘I like you, beta’, these flaky flatbreads do the needful. They’re synonymous with childhood; their layered fillings kind the core of a North Indian’s growing-up years.
Be a part of us on an auto rickshaw journey by means of the colored markets of Delhi. We’re winding by means of Chandni Chowk, Shaheen Bagh, and Paranthe Wali Gali, scouring the town’s profile to nail the finest paratha spots. No wild goose chase right here!
Our GPS comes within the type of suggestions by foodies and cooks, who — whereas clarifying that nothing remotely resembles their moms’ aloo parathas (paratha with potato stuffing) — have managed to search out eateries they maintain to the identical requirements.
Let’s transfer.
1. Balli Lane
Among the many eclectic fare that Delhi’s gastronomy guarantees, the paratha has held its personal. It’s a fixed characteristic; from rickety tables in ramshackle shops to lace-covered teakwood in 5 stars. If uncompromised flavour and authenticity are in your guidelines on the subject of paratha binging, Delhi’s foodies recommend you discover solace within the menus at Balli Lane close to Amity College.
Meals blogger Sukrit Jain has spent many afternoons (and nights!) gorging on the parathas doled out right here. “We would go away from Gate 2A after which head on to Balli. Generally it will be not one however 4 parathas directly,” he smiles.
2. Pandit Ji Parantha Hut
For a lot of Indians, parathas make for an unparalleled feast; the last word prize. Just lately when Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Manu Bhaker was quizzed how she would ring in her victory, she responded, “with an aloo paratha”.
The desi flatbread is an undoubted crowd favorite. And Pandit Ji Parantha Hut in Delhi’s Ashok Vihar finds a candy spot with its patrons by means of its choices. However for meals blogger Tanmay Sharma, his annual pilgrimage to the outlet owes to extra than simply the meals. “I proposed to my then girlfriend, now spouse at this spot. We go to the place to have a good time and benefit from the parathas,” he explains.
True to its phrase, the fare right here is grand and guarantees to lull you right into a meals coma. However, the satan is within the particulars, Tanmay notes, dissecting what makes the parathas right here a standout. “The griddle is manner heavier than traditional, which ensures they prepare dinner superbly. Mockingly, although I’m a meals blogger, I don’t like experimenting with my favourites and, so, through the years, my order has remained the identical — ek aloo paratha aur ek chai (one paratha with potato stuffing and one cup of tea).”
3. Moolchand Parantha
The 49-year-old justifiably legendary eatery is a part of the town’s social material. It accounted for a significant a part of chef Ishijyot Surri’s household holidays. The chief chef of SJI Hospitality and Meals fondly reminisces, “My grandparents, mother and father and cousins would collect right here and we’d get pleasure from piping scorching and scrumptious aloo and paneer (cottage cheese) parathas served with tangy pickle and curd.”
Hefty servings smothered in ghee are what you’ll be able to anticipate from the menu and meals creators Mehak and Rituraj are all for it. “This was a cherished spot for us after lengthy hours of courses and late-night research periods. We vividly bear in mind one wet night, when drenched and hungry, we walked in craving one thing heat and comforting. The new, crispy aloo pyaaz paratha (paratha with potato and onion stuffing) with a beneficiant dollop of butter and spicy pickles was extra than simply meals; it was a second of shared consolation and bonding,” Mehak shares.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan, too, is claimed to have feasted on the parathas right here throughout his Delhi days.
4. Pt Gaya Prashad Shiv Charan
Anybody who frequents the eponymous Paranthe Wali Gali is urged to make a cease at Pt Gaya Prashad Shiv Charan, touted because the oldest paratha store in Delhi. They provide mouthwatering spins on the same old favourites; mint-stuffed parathas, radish and potato parathas, and papad parathas (parathas with stuffing of fried lentil dough) are fairly the appetisers.
Anubhav Sapra of Delhi Meals Walks personally loves the rabdi paratha (paratha with thickened, sweetened milk), which he has been savouring for the final 15 years.
Don’t head residence when you’re carried out along with your rendezvous at Pt Gaya Prashad Shiv Charan. Linger and pattern the parathas alongside Paranthe Wali Gali. On a latest journey, the karela paratha (paratha with bitter gourd stuffing) and mawa paratha (paratha with stuffing of milk solids) drew Dhruv Oberoi, govt chef of Olive Bar and Kitchen, Delhi.
Chef Dhruv’s fondness for the flatbread stems from his childhood reminiscences of Sunday breakfasts. “My mom would make a Punjabi baingan bharta paratha (paratha with smoked and mashed brinjal), primary desi ghee-drenched namak ajwain ka paratha (paratha with carrom seeds) with our household recipe of khatta mitha tel wala garlic ka aachar (candy and bitter garlic pickle). The present stopper although was dessert — Amul milk powder stuffed paratha.”
The paratha has bravely weathered the altering culinary traditions of the town’s meals panorama. And one spot the place that is evident is the foodies’ paradise ‘Shaheen Bagh 40 Foota Highway’ the place it stands its floor amid Mughlai, Turkish, and Italian meals.
Just lately, Anubhav Sapra was surprisingly amused when the rooster Lahori paratha he sampled right here made it to the highest of his favourites chart. “The paratha was full of minced rooster. Although not finely minced and as a substitute just a little grainy, it was scrumptious. I like how the filling was cooked in tandoor (clay oven) and butter cubes and served with chutney.”
As you amble by means of the khau galli (foodies’ lane), you may additionally wish to pattern the nalli nihari (meat cooked in a thick, spicy gravy), Afghani rooster samosa (savoury pastry), rooster kathi rolls (a model of the frankie), Turkish kebab (minced meat grilled on skewers) platter, and the haleem (a thick stew constituted of a mixture of wheat, barley, lentils, and meat).
6. Dadu Cutlet Store
Providing a bevvy of delicious paratha varieties to its patrons has made Dadu Cutlet Store — one of many oldest eateries in C R Park — a family title. It’s nearly hypnotic to observe as balls of dough undergo a collection of heavy-handed patting in clarified butter, remodeling earlier than your eyes into a beautiful paratha.
A failsafe order right here, meals author Sadaf Hussain recommends, is the Mughlai paratha with egg. “You make the paratha, then make a gap in it, then stuff the egg in and seal it once more. It’s considered one of my absolute favourites.”
7. Kake Di Hatti
The paratha has usually been known as the “under-appreciated cousin of the world-famous naan”. However it’s all up for difficult this. Throughout the globe, cooks are waking as much as the golden pan-fried magnificence. From chef Yotam Ottolenghi creating za’atar paratha with grated tomato to The New York Occasions that includes the Mughlai paratha, the flatbread is sort of the foodies’ pet, giving its cousin naan severe competitors.
Right here’s an eatery that has been doing justice to each since 1942. Whether or not it’s the hariyali paratha (paratha ready with greens), aloo pyaaz paratha, garlic paratha, paneer paratha, or the pliable naan, you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
Sources
The Below‑Appreciated Cousin of the World‑Well-known Naan by Saba Imtiaz, Revealed on 9 November 2015.
Moolchand Parantha: South Delhi’s Favorite Late-Evening Consuming Joint by Sushmita Sengupta, Revealed on 13 September 2017.
Finest parathas in Delhi, as picked by the town’s high foodies by Ria Gupta, Revealed on 9 November 2022.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
