The first time I tasted street food in India, I was standing in Mumbai’s Khao Galli, clutching a ₹15 vada pav as rickshaws whizzed by. I’d just arrived on a ₹200 train from Pune, my ₹500 daily budget already feeling the pinch after a ₹150 hotel breakfast flop. That vada pav—spicy, soft, and dirt cheap—changed everything. Over months of wandering India’s streets—from Delhi’s dusty lanes to Chennai’s humid corners—I became a street food junkie, hunting down the best bites for ₹10–₹50. These weren’t just meals; they were stories—messy, flavorful, and wallet-friendly.
This isn’t just a list—it’s my personal odyssey to uncover the best street foods in India you must try on a budget, packed with every sizzle, crunch, and rupee-saving tip I’ve learned. My goal? Help you eat like a local for pennies—whether you’re a backpacker, a food lover, or chasing millions of Google clicks to your site (like I dream for mine). Let’s hit the streets and dig into India’s tastiest, cheapest eats.
The Street Food Awakening: Why It’s a Must
That Mumbai moment flipped a switch. I’d been wasting ₹200 on tourist traps—overpriced, underwhelming—while locals thrived on ₹20 plates. Street food wasn’t just cheap; it was India’s pulse—raw, vibrant, and unfiltered. My ₹200 daily food budget stretched further—₹50 covered a day of feasting—leaving cash for trains and hostels. From spicy chaat to steaming idlis, these bites became my travel fuel. Here’s my top 10, born from sweat, spice, and a lot of haggling.
1. Vada Pav – Mumbai (₹15)
Mumbai’s Khao Galli near CST was my street food baptism. I’d stumbled off a train, parched and peckish, when I saw a cart swarmed by commuters. For ₹15, I got a vada pav—spicy potato fritter in a soft bun, slathered with chutney. I ate standing, dodging a rickshaw, the heat waking me up—₹15 bought me Mumbai’s heartbeat. Later, I found ₹10 versions in Dadar—proof this “Indian burger” rules the budget game.
Mumbai Hack: Skip Colaba—CST or Dadar carts offer ₹10–₹15 vada pavs.
Explore More: Best Day Trips from Mumbai.
2. Pani Puri – Delhi (₹30)
Delhi’s Chandni Chowk was my chaat crash course. I’d taken a ₹20 metro, weaving through rickshaws, when a vendor’s “pani puri, ₹30!” hooked me. Eight crispy puris filled with spicy water and chickpeas—₹30 for a tangy, messy explosion. I stood under a tree, water dripping down my chin, as vendors shouted—₹30 was chaos and joy in every bite. Old Delhi’s ₹20–₹40 range beats Connaught Place’s ₹100 plates any day.
Delhi Tip: Avoid posh areas—Chandni Chowk’s ₹20–₹30 chaat reigns.
Stay Cheap: Best Budget Hotels Near Varanasi Ghats Under ₹800.
3. Masala Dosa – Bangalore (₹40)
Bangalore’s VV Puram Food Street woke my taste buds. I’d hopped a ₹15 bus, the city stirring, when I found a dosa cart—₹40 for a masala dosa, crisp and golden, stuffed with spiced potatoes. I sat on a bench, chutney dripping, the crunch echoing—₹40 crushed MG Road’s ₹150 versions. South India’s street dosas—₹30–₹50—became my budget obsession.
Bangalore Hack: Skip Koramangala—VV Puram’s ₹30–₹50 dosas win.
Stay Nearby: Top Budget Hotels in Pondicherry Under ₹1000.
4. Pav Bhaji – Ahmedabad (₹50)
Ahmedabad’s Manek Chowk at night was a budget jackpot. I’d wandered from a ₹300 dorm, the market glowing, when a pav bhaji stall called—₹50 for spiced veggie mash with buttery buns. I ate standing, the chaos of vendors around me, that ₹50 plate messy and divine—Gujarat’s street soul. Daytime carts near Law Garden offered ₹40 versions—proof ₹50 goes far here.
Ahmedabad Tip: Night markets over cafes—₹40–₹50 pav bhaji rules.
More West: Top Budget Hotels in Udaipur Under ₹1000.
5. Kachori – Jaipur (₹20)
Jaipur’s Johari Bazaar fed my snack cravings. I’d haggled for trinkets, then spotted a kachori cart—₹20 for a flaky, lentil-stuffed ball with chutney. I ate by a shopfront, the spice hitting hard—₹20 was a Pink City steal next to Hawa Mahal’s ₹80 snacks. Morning vendors near Tripolia Bazaar dropped to ₹15—budget bliss.
Jaipur Hack: Bazaar carts over forts—₹15–₹20 kachoris shine.
Explore More: Jaipur During Pushkar Fair.
6. Idli – Chennai (₹25)
Chennai’s Mylapore taught me simplicity. After a ₹20 bus ride, I found a stall near Kapaleeshwarar Temple—₹25 for two idlis with sambar and chutney. I ate by the roadside, bells ringing, the soft cakes soaking up gravy—₹25 was Tamil Nadu’s warm hug. Beach stalls charged ₹50—street idlis stayed my ₹25 hero.
Chennai Tip: Temple areas over beaches—₹20–₹30 idlis win.
More South: Kerala Backwaters for Budget Travelers.
7. Egg Roll – Kolkata (₹40)
Kolkata’s New Market was my roll revelation. I’d stepped off a ₹20 tram, hungry, when an egg roll cart beckoned—₹40 for a paratha wrapped around a fried egg and onions. I ate under string lights, the flaky roll dripping—₹40 beat Park Street’s ₹100 wraps. Street corners near Esplanade offered ₹30 versions—Bengali street magic.
Kolkata Hack: Avoid malls—New Market’s ₹30–₹40 rolls rule.
Stay Nearby: Top Budget Hotels in Darjeeling Under ₹1,000.
8. Aloo Tikki – Lucknow (₹30)
Lucknow’s Hazratganj fed my chaat fix. I’d wandered from a ₹400 guesthouse, the aroma pulling me to a tikki stall—₹30 for crispy potato patties with chutney. I ate on a stool, the tang waking my senses—₹30 was Awadhi love on a budget. Chowk’s ₹25 tikkis later confirmed—Lucknow’s streets don’t disappoint.
Lucknow Tip: Hazratganj over hotels—₹25–₹30 tikkis shine.
More North: Top Budget Hotels in Rishikesh Under ₹1000.
9. Poha – Indore (₹20)
Indore’s Sarafa Bazaar was my breakfast haven. I’d arrived on a ₹300 bus, the night market buzzing, when a poha stall offered—₹20 for flattened rice with spices and sev. I ate standing, the crunch addictive—₹20 was Madhya Pradesh’s morning gift. Daytime carts near Rajwada hit ₹15—budget perfection.
Indore Hack: Night bazaars over cafes—₹15–₹20 poha wins.
Stay Cheap: Top Budget Hotels in Bhopal Under ₹1000.
10. Momos – Darjeeling (₹40)
Darjeeling’s chill demanded warmth, and Chowrasta’s momo carts delivered. I’d trekked from a ₹500 dorm, fog rolling in, when I grabbed ₹40 veg momos—six steamed dumplings with fiery sauce. I ate by a railing, Kanchenjunga peeking through—₹40 was Himalayan comfort. Street stalls beat cafes’ ₹100 plates—my budget savior.
Darjeeling Tip: Chowrasta over Mall Road—₹30–₹40 momos rule.
Stay Option: Top Budget Hotels in Darjeeling Under ₹1,000.
Cost Snapshot: My Street Food Savings
| Food | City | Cost | Restaurant Alt. | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vada Pav | Mumbai | ₹15 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹85–₹135 |
| Pani Puri | Delhi | ₹30 | ₹80–₹120 | ₹50–₹90 |
| Masala Dosa | Bangalore | ₹40 | ₹150–₹200 | ₹110–₹160 |
| Pav Bhaji | Ahmedabad | ₹50 | ₹120–₹180 | ₹70–₹130 |
| Kachori | Jaipur | ₹20 | ₹60–₹100 | ₹40–₹80 |
| Idli | Chennai | ₹25 | ₹80–₹120 | ₹55–₹95 |
| Egg Roll | Kolkata | ₹40 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹60–₹110 |
| Aloo Tikki | Lucknow | ₹30 | ₹80–₹120 | ₹50–₹90 |
| Poha | Indore | ₹20 | ₹60–₹100 | ₹40–₹80 |
| Momos | Darjeeling | ₹40 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹60–₹110 |
Daily Savings: ₹50–₹150—₹1,500 monthly for extra adventures!
My Pro Hacks for Street Food Success
- Morning Rush: ₹15–₹20 breakfasts beat ₹50 lunches—Indore’s poha trick.
- Busy Carts: Crowds mean fresh—Delhi’s pani puri rule.
- Haggle Light: ₹50 to ₹40 works—Jaipur’s kachori win.
- Local Ask: “Best chaat kahan?”—Lucknow’s tikki tip.
- Watch Prep: Clean hands, hot griddles—Chennai’s idli safety.
- Small Bites: Mix ₹20–₹30 items—₹50 feasts in Kolkata.
FAQ: Expert Answers to Street Food Questions
What are the best street foods to try in India on a budget?
India’s street food is a budget traveler’s dream—vada pav (₹15, Mumbai), pani puri (₹30, Delhi), and masala dosa (₹40, Bangalore) top my list. I savored poha (₹20, Indore) and momos (₹40, Darjeeling) too—₹10–₹50 buys bold flavors. These beats restaurant ₹100+ plates—my ₹200 daily budget thrived on them.
How much does street food cost in India?
Street food ranges from ₹10–₹50—₹15 vada pavs in Mumbai, ₹30 aloo tikkis in Lucknow, up to ₹50 pav bhaji in Ahmedabad. Tourist zones jack it to ₹80–₹150—my ₹150 Goa mistake taught me that. I averaged ₹50 daily—₹20 breakfast, ₹30 lunch—stretching ₹200 further than ₹300 restaurant meals.
Is it safe to eat street food in India as a tourist?
Yes, with care—I ate ₹40 egg rolls in Kolkata and ₹25 idlis in Chennai, no issues. Pick busy stalls—high turnover keeps food fresh, like Bangalore’s dosa carts. Avoid flies or raw water—my ₹30 Delhi chaat flop was a lesson. Clean hands, ₹5 RO water—never got sick after that.
Where can I find the cheapest street food in India?
Mumbai (₹15 vada pav, Khao Galli), Delhi (₹20 kachoris, Chandni Chowk), and Indore (₹15 poha, Sarafa) lead—bazaars and old cities rule. I found ₹25 idlis in Chennai’s Mylapore and ₹30 rolls in Kolkata’s New Market—away from tourist traps. Morning carts drop prices—₹15 vs. ₹30 by noon.
What are the must-try vegetarian street foods in India?
Veggies shine—pani puri (₹30, Delhi), masala dosa (₹40, Bangalore), and poha (₹20, Indore) were my staples. Kachoris (₹20, Jaipur) and aloo tikkis (₹30, Lucknow) added crunch—₹20–₹40 kept me full. Restaurants charge ₹100+ for less—street carts won my veggie heart.
How can I enjoy street food in India without overspending?
Stick to ₹20–₹50 bites—mix ₹15 vada pavs with ₹30 rolls, like my Mumbai-Kolkata days. Avoid tourist zones—₹80 beach idlis vs. ₹25 Mylapore ones hurt. Haggle gently, hit mornings—₹15 poha in Indore—and ask locals—saved me ₹50 daily, feasting for ₹100 total.
The Street Feast Continues: Your Turn
India’s street food turned my budget travels into a flavor explosion. From Mumbai’s vada pavs to Darjeeling’s momos, I ate like a king for ₹10–₹50, saving ₹1,500 monthly and tasting the real India. It’s not just food—it’s a cheap, chaotic love affair. Next, I’ll chase ₹20 kebabs in Hyderabad—join me? Got a street bite? Share below—I’m starving for more!
Happy munching!