Indian street food
Indian street food for beginners.
Start with something familiar and add one adventurous dish. Samosa chaat, vada pav, pani puri and a cup of chai make an easy, satisfying first visit.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Start with
Samosa, vada pav
Be brave
Pani puri
To drink
Chai or lassi
Order for
2 to share
01
Eight easy first orders
These are mild to medium, familiar in texture and loved by first-timers:
- Samosas (x2), $4.99: crisp, golden and mild. The easiest possible start.
- Samosa Chaat, $12.99: a crushed samosa with chutneys, yogurt and onion.
- Vada Pav, $5.49: a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun.
- Pani Puri, $9.99: the playful one, eaten in a single bite.
- Aloo Paratha, $9.99: a buttery stuffed flatbread.
- Peri Peri Fries, $6.99: a familiar shape with a tangy kick.
- Bun Maska, $3.49: a soft buttered bun for dunking.
- Hakka Noodles, $14.99: a safe, savoury favourite.
02
Handling the heat
Indian street food balances heat with sweet and tangy chutneys. If you are cautious, ask the team to go easy on the green chutney and chilli, and keep a cold drink or yogurt-based dish nearby. Dairy cools better than water.
03
What to drink
Chai is the classic partner for savoury snacks: our Kadak Chai is $4.49. For something cold, Mango Lassi is sweet and creamy ($5.99), and Masala Soda is tangy and refreshing ($5.99).
04
How much to order
Plates are snack-sized and designed to be shared. For two people, three or four dishes plus drinks is a good start, and you can always add more. Order the chaat first, since it is best eaten immediately.
05
Where to go in Ottawa
Tapri Chai is a 100% vegetarian Indian cafe at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104 in Barrhaven. We are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Our team is happy to guide you through the menu.
Questions, answered.
What is the best Indian street food for beginners?
Samosas, samosa chaat and vada pav are approachable. Pani puri is a fun second step.
Is Indian street food very spicy?
Not always. Many dishes are mild until you add chutney, and you can ask for less heat.
How many dishes should two people order?
Three or four small dishes plus drinks is a good first order.
Is Indian street food vegetarian?
Much of it is. At Tapri Chai every dish is vegetarian.
Where can I try Indian street food in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves chaat, vada pav, parathas and Indo-Chinese bowls.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.