If you are traveling to India and want to experience the country’s culture and traditions, it is vital that you taste the local cuisine. One of the best ways to savor authentic Indian delicacies is to try street food. It has the original flavors, is really affordable, and has an amazing variety. It also gives you an interesting insight into the ingredients and process of preparing the local dishes. When you step out to eat street food, you get an opportunity to come in contact with the locals and imbibe the sounds and sights of the crowded lanes.

Sadly, most travelers to India are afraid to experiment with street food as they have heard of the famous ‘Delhi Belly’- traveler’s diarrhea. The fear is understandable, as no one wants to suffer from an upset stomach when you are holidaying in a foreign land, especially when the washrooms leave a lot to be desired. However, if you really want to eat mouth-watering local food, save money, and experience the local food & culture, then you must try street food in India. That doesn’t mean that you should rush to every makeshift stall that you come across. Follow these tips and basic guidelines so that you can eat street food in India without falling sick.

Best Street Food in India:-

India is a huge country and you are bound to be impressed by the diversity of street food you can find here. Each region has something different to offer that is going to tantalize your taste buds. It is humanely impossible to check out the wide range of street food available, as the selection changes at every turn. Follow the below-mentioned tips and try to taste the most popular street food options. 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, Aloo-Kachori, Misal-Paav, Sprout-chaat, roasted corn, slushies, paan, lassi, milkshakes, fresh juices, etc.

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 eye. It should be fully cooked and served hot. Freshly made food is tastier and safer. Pakoras, jalebis, dosas, etc, are low-risk. Many times, the vendors will refry the snack to re-heat it. The process will help in killing the bacteria, so there is no harm in that. If the oil smells foul, avoid that food. The oil has gone rancid due to overuse and it could 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 is having a great turnover, so the food must not be lying for long in the hot and humid conditions. It also guarantees that the stall is popular and harmless as people are unlikely to queue for unhygienic or bad food. If you can spot the elderly or kids in the queue, all the better. We can infer that the food can be digested by sensitive stomachs.
3. Eat where and when the locals eat – The local population is in the best position to know where good food is served. They visit the areas on a daily basis and would have checked most of the vendors. If the locals are staying away from a stall, there must be a reason for it. So, instead of following tourists, follow the locals. It is also a good idea to eat when the locals have their meals, as the food would be freshly cooked and hot during that period. If your mealtime does not match with the locals, you might be served leftovers.
4. Avoid drinks that are cold – In India, it is very unsafe to drink tap water. Most of the tummy problems can be traced back to contaminated water. So, it’s best to avoid all non-packaged cold drinks as they might be using adulterated water or ice made with tap water. Keep away from drinks like lassi, slushies, milkshakes, fresh juice, cold coffee. Go for tea and coffee. They are hot and the water has been boiled at high temperatures. Ask the tea to be served in paper cups or earthen kulhads. The stomachs are of the local people are used to unfiltered water, so don’t blindly follow them.
5. Stay away from fruits and salads – As the tap water is unsafe, it is better to give cut fruits and raw vegetables a miss as they are likely to be washed with unclean water. If you want to avoid food poisoning, eat cooked vegetables and peel-able fruits. The safest fruits are ones that can be peeled like a banana, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, melons, etc. Eating grapes, strawberries, apples, Jamun, cherries can be a bit dangerous in a polluted country like India. In fact, salads and fruit platters should not be eaten 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, skip eating at that stall. Dirty utensils can be a source of contamination, even if the food is freshly prepared. Always carry sanitizing wipes with you so that you can wipe the plates and cutlery of the residue water left on them during cleaning. If possible, carry your own disposable cutlery. All food items in the stall should be covered. Joints that are plagued by mosquitoes, rats, and flies should be avoided at all costs. And don’t forget to check if the hands of the stall owners are clean as they don’t use any gloves while preparing dishes. If things look unhygienic, move on to the next cart.
7. Turn Vegetarian – if you are really bothered about food poisoning, focus on vegetarian food while traveling to India. The street vendors generally buy meat from butchers who keep the flesh hanging outside their shops. The water is contaminated, the street vendors don’t have refrigeration facilities and you don’t know how long has been the meat sitting there before it is finally used. It makes sense to avoid meat when looking for cheap food options. In India, the majority of people are vegetarians and you can gorge on mind-boggling vegetarian dishes. So, keep your love for non-veg food at bay for few days and become vegetarian in India.
8. Avoid some food items – There are few items that are always suspect and best avoided. Chutneys are mostly uncooked and may contain tap water. Dairy products are also risky, especially in summers and monsoons – so no Dahi-Papdi, Dahi-vada, etc. Even eating potato-based products can be harmful in summers. This means you may have to give vada-pav, samosas, Pao-bhaji, etc. a miss when the temperatures are soaring. The problem is that the street vendors have no refrigerators with them. If the food items, that need to be refrigerated, are kept at room temperature for a considerable amount of time, they become a breeding ground for bacteria. That can be dangerous and lead to a bad case of food poisoning. If you have acidity problems, stay away from tamarind or raw-mango-based chutneys. They are cooked, but the sweet and tangy taste may give acid reflux if your stomach is sensitive. 
   
   Another very popular street food, Pani Puri, is also not for travelers. The crispy, round, hollow puri is filled with a mixture of tamarind chutney, potatoes & spicy water – not a very safe combo. So, resist the temptation unless you are sure the vendor is using packaged water.
9. Go easy with spices – Indian food is spicy and oily, so keep that in mind. Spices can act as mild laxatives and it is not something that we are aiming for. Start with steamed dishes like poha, Momos, Dhoklas, Idlis (sans the chutney), and then slowly build up your spice tolerance. You can even ask the vendor to tone down the spice level of the dish. Accompany it with rice, bread, chapatti, dosa to bring down the impact of the spicy curries.
10. Do not overeat – Indian cuisine is delicious and tempting, but you should never overeat. Your digestive system will never be able to handle this overdose of fried, spicy, and unknown food items. Overeating street food is definitely a recipe for disaster. 

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 fine. Wash your hands before eating, keep a sanitizer handy, check the seal of your bottled water, always carry Imodium with you, and be on guard. If the food doesn’t feel, taste, or smell good, just leave it. You may still fall ill as getting sick from food is inevitable if you travel frequently. If it happens, don’t fret unnecessarily. Take a break from sightseeing, visit the doctor, take fluids, and rest in your hotel. You can have rehydration powder, toast, packaged curd, rice, and bananas. You will soon be fine and will continue with your plans.