How to eat Street Food in India without getting sick?

If you are traveling to India and want to experience the country’s culture and traditions fully, you should try the local cuisine. Street food in India is one of the most interesting ways to sample traditional Indian delicacies – it offers authentic flavors, is incredibly affordable, and boasts a fantastic variety. As you explore the crowded lanes, you get a chance to come into contact with the locals and absorb the sounds and sights of the buzzing streets. It also provides a fascinating insight into the ingredients and the process of preparing local dishes.

Sadly, most travelers to India are hesitant to try street food, as they have heard of the infamous ‘Delhi Belly’-traveler’s diarrhea. The fear is understandable, as no one wants to suffer from an upset stomach while holidaying in a foreign land. The state of public washrooms in India is causing greater concern. However, if you want to enjoy delicious street food, save money, and experience traditional culture, you must visit India. That doesn’t mean that you should rush to every makeshift stall that you come across. Follow these tips and basic guidelines to enjoy the scrumptious street food in India without falling ill.

Best Street Food in India:-

India is a vast country, and you are bound to be impressed by the mouth-watering street food you can find here. Each region offers something unique that will tantalize your taste buds. It is impossible to sample the wide range of street food available, as the selection changes at every turn. To help you decide what to taste, here is a list of the most popular Indian street food: Pani Puri, Dahi Papdi, Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji, Chana Kulcha, Chole Bhature, Rajma Chawal, Thali, Dosa, Idli, Poha, Mumbai Sandwich, Momos, Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, Omelet, Jalebi, Kathi Roll, Kachori, Samosa, Misal-Paav, Sprout-chaat, Parathas, roasted corn, slushies, Paan, Lassi, milkshakes, fresh juices, etc. 

Interestingly, the names and flavors of a few of these delicious snacks vary by region. For instance, Mumbai’s Pani Puri becomes Gol Gappe in Delhi, Phuchka in West Bengal, Paani ka Bataashe in Rajasthan, and Gup Chup in Odisha. The recipe is almost the same, but the taste, flavors, and spice level vary.

Ten Tips to follow while eating street food in India:-

1. Make sure that it’s freshly cooked – Focus on the street food that is prepared in front of your eyes. It should be fully cooked and served hot. Freshly made food is tastier and safer. Pakoras, jalebis, omelets, dosas, etc, are low-risk. Often, vendors reheat snacks to serve them again. The process helps kill bacteria, so you don’t need to be concerned. If the oil smells foul, avoid that food. The oil has gone rancid due to overuse, which can be harmful to your stomach.
2. Look at the length of the queues – The stalls with the longest queues are the safest bets. The vendor has high turnover, so food must not be left out for extended periods in hot, humid conditions. It also guarantees the stall is popular and hygienic, as people are unlikely to queue for contaminated or unpalatable food. If you spot elderly people or children in the queue, all the better. Safe to assume that sensitive stomachs can digest the food.
3. Eat where and when the locals do – You can trust locals to find good street food. They visit the areas daily and have checked most vendors. If locals are avoiding a stall, there must be a reason. So, instead of following tourists, follow the locals. It is also a good idea to eat when locals do, as the food is freshly cooked and hot then. If your mealtime doesn’t match the locals’, you might be served leftovers.

   

4. Avoid cold drinks – In India, tap water is unsafe to drink. Most tummy problems can be traced back to contaminated water. Therefore, it’s best to avoid all non-packaged cold drinks, as they may be using adulterated water or ice made with tap water. Avoid drinks such as lassi, slushies, milkshakes, fresh juice, and cold coffee. Go for hot tea and coffee. They are harmless because the water was boiled at high temperatures. Ask for the hot drinks to be served in paper cups or earthen kulhads. The digestive systems of local people have adapted to drinking unfiltered water, so don’t blindly follow them.
5. Stay away from fruits and salads – As the tap water is unsafe, cut fruits and raw vegetables a miss. They are likely to be washed with unclean water. To avoid food poisoning, opt for cooked vegetables and peelable fruits. The safest fruits are those that are easy to peel, such as bananas, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, and melons. Eating grapes, strawberries, apples, Jamuns, and cherries can be risky in a polluted country like India. Salads and fruit platters should not be consumed anywhere in India, including the high-end hotels & restaurants.
6. Pay attention to cleanliness – This is a no-brainer. If the cutlery, plates, chopping board, knives, pans, glasses, etc., are not clean, do not eat at that stall. Dirty utensils can be a source of contamination, even if the food is freshly prepared. Always carry sanitizing wipes to wipe down plates and cutlery, and remove any residual water left during cleaning. If possible, bring your own disposable cutlery. All food items in the stall should be covered. Joints that mosquitoes, rats, and flies plague should be avoided at all costs. The stall should not be located near a garbage dump or a dirty drain. And don’t forget to check that the stall owners’ hands are clean, as they don’t wear gloves when preparing dishes. If the cart appears unhygienic, move on to the next one.

   

7. Turn Vegetarian – if you are really bothered about food poisoning, focus on vegetarian food while traveling to India. Street vendors typically purchase meat from butchers who hang the meat outside their shops. The water is contaminated, street vendors lack refrigeration, and you don’t know how long the meat has been sitting before it is used. It makes sense to avoid meat when seeking affordable food options. In India, a large chunk of the population is vegetarian, and you can find a mind-boggling variety of vegetarian delicacies. So, keep your love for non-veg food at bay for some days and become a vegetarian in India.
8. Avoid certain food items – There are a few that are consistently problematic and best avoided. Chutneys are mostly uncooked and may contain tap water. Dairy products are also risky, especially during the summer and monsoon seasons, so no Dahi Papdi, Dahi Vada, etc. Even eating potato-based products can be harmful in summer. This means you may have to skip Vada-Pav, Samosas, Pao-Bhaji, etc., when the temperatures are soaring. The problem is that the street vendors lack refrigerators. If food items that need to be kept cool are left at room temperature for an extended period, they become a breeding ground for bacteria. That can be dangerous and lead to food poisoning. If you have acid reflux, avoid tamarind- or raw mango-based chutneys. They are cooked, but the sweet and tangy taste may give acid reflux if your stomach is sensitive.

   

   India’s all-time favorite street food, Pani Puri, is also not recommended for travelers. The crispy, round, hollow puri is filled with a mixture of tamarind chutney, potatoes & spicy water – not a very safe combo. Resist the temptation unless you are certain the vendor uses packaged water.
9. Go easy with spices – Indian food is spicy and oily, so keep that in mind. Spices can act as mild laxatives, which is not something we are looking for. Start with steamed dishes such as poha, Momos, Dhoklas, and Idlis (without chutney), then gradually build your spice tolerance. You can also ask the vendor to reduce the dish’s spice level. Accompany it with rice, bread, chapati, and dosa to mitigate the heat of the spicy curries.
10. Do not overeat – Indian cuisine is delicious and tempting, but you should never overeat. Your digestive system will not be able to handle this overload of fried, spicy, and unfamiliar foods. Overeating street food is a recipe for disaster.
11. Stay Away in Rainy Season – One of the worst times to eat street food is during monsoons. During the rainy season, numerous flies, mosquitoes, and other insects proliferate and hover over food left out in the open. The damp weather promotes bacterial growth. This can be dangerous. Eating street food in peak summer also carries risks, as perishable items spoil easily in hot temperatures. Winters are the safest time to gorge on street food in India.

Final Thoughts:–

Eating street food in India or anywhere in the world comes with risks. However, if you are vigilant and trust your instincts, you should be able to avoid any issues. Wash your hands before eating, keep a sanitizer handy, check the seal on the bottled water, and be vigilant. If the food doesn’t feel, taste, or smell good, just leave it. Carry tablets for fever, diarrhea, and vomiting with you at all times. You may still fall ill, as foodborne illness is common when traveling frequently. If it happens, don’t fret unnecessarily. Take a break from sightseeing, visit a doctor, drink fluids, and rest at your hotel. You can have rehydration salts, toast, packaged curd, rice, and bananas. Most importantly, don’t panic.