Tapri Chai Guides › Indian street food
Indian street food.
Chaat, pani puri, vada pav, parathas and Indo-Chinese favourites, explained from the first bite.
- Chole puri vs chole bhature.The chickpea curry is the same; the bread differs. Puri is small and whole wheat, bhatura is large, soft and made with refined flour. Compare and decide.Read
- Delhi street food, explained.Delhi’s street food is famous for chaat, golgappa, stuffed parathas and chole bhature. A guide to the classics, and which you can try in Ottawa.Read
- Gujarati street food, explained.Gujarat’s street food mixes sweet, sour and spicy: dabeli, dhokla, fafda and more. A guide to the classics and what to try in Ottawa.Read
- Hakka noodles vs chow mein.Indian hakka noodles and Chinese chow mein are both stir-fried, but the sauces, vegetables and heat differ. Compare them before you order.Read
- How spicy is Indian street food?A heat guide to Indian street food: which dishes are mild, which have a kick, how to cool down and how to ask for less spice. Tapri Chai in Barrhaven, Ottawa.Read
- How to eat pani puri.The right way to eat pani puri: one bite, right away. Tips for first-timers, how to handle the spice and what to drink with it, from an Ottawa chaat cafe.Read
- Indian chutneys, explained.The chutneys on every chaat plate: sweet tamarind, green mint-coriander and fiery garlic. What each tastes like and which dishes they belong on.Read
- Indian street food for beginners.New to Indian street food? Eight easy dishes to try first, from samosa chaat to vada pav and chai, with prices, spice levels and what to drink.Read
- Indian street food glossary.Chaat, sev, papdi, pav, tadka, masala and more: a plain-English glossary of Indian street food words, from a pure vegetarian cafe in Barrhaven, Ottawa.Read
- The Indian street food guide.A plain-English guide to Indian street food: chaat, pani puri, vada pav, pav bhaji, parathas, Indo-Chinese and more. What each is and how to order.Read
- Kolkata street food, explained.Kolkata’s street food includes puchka, kathi rolls, jhal muri, Indo-Chinese noodles and clay-cup chai. A guide to the classics and what to try in Ottawa.Read
- Lassi vs smoothie.A lassi is a yogurt-based drink from Punjab; a smoothie is a blended fruit drink. Compare taste, texture and what each is best with.Read
- Mild Indian food for kids.Mild, familiar vegetarian Indian dishes that children often like: parathas, Maggi, fries, lassi and more. What to order at Tapri Chai in Barrhaven, Ottawa.Read
- Momos vs dumplings.Momos are Himalayan steamed dumplings with a thin wrapper and simple filling. Compare them with gyoza, dim sum and pierogi.Read
- Mumbai street food, explained.A guide to Mumbai’s street food: vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, frankie, bun maska and more, and which of them you can try at Tapri Chai in Ottawa.Read
- Pani puri vs dahi puri.Pani puri is filled with spicy water; dahi puri with sweet yogurt and chutneys. Compare taste, heat and when to order each, from an Ottawa chaat cafe.Read
- Punjabi comfort food, explained.Punjab’s food is hearty and buttery: stuffed parathas, chole, lassi and more. A guide to the classics and what to try at Tapri Chai in Ottawa.Read
- Rajasthani snacks, explained.Rajasthan’s food is built for the desert: kachoris, mirchi vada, dal baati churma and spicy namkeen. A guide to the classics and what to try in Ottawa.Read
- Samosa chaat vs aloo tikki chaat.Both are chaat with yogurt and chutneys, but one is built on a crushed samosa and the other on a crisp potato patty. Compare texture, taste and heat.Read
- Samosa vs kachori.Samosas are triangular pastries with spiced potato and peas; kachoris are round, flaky and filled with onion or lentils. Compare shape, shell and filling.Read
- Vada pav vs burger.Vada pav is often called India’s burger. Here is how it compares: the fritter, the bun, the chutneys, the price and what each one is best for.Read
- Vada pav vs dabeli.Vada pav has a fried potato fritter and garlic chutney; dabeli a sweet-spicy potato filling with peanuts. Compare taste, origin and what to order.Read
- Vegetarian Indian street food.Most classic Indian street food is vegetarian. See why, which dishes to try, how dairy features and what a fully vegetarian Indian cafe in Ottawa looks like.Read
- What is a Bombay frankie?A Bombay frankie is a Mumbai-style roll: warm flatbread wrapped around a spiced filling with chutneys and fresh vegetables. Learn how it differs from a wrap.Read
- What is bun maska?Bun maska is a soft bun slathered with butter, made for dunking in chai. Learn its Irani cafe roots and why it is the classic tea-time snack.Read
- What is chaat?Chaat is a family of Indian street snacks: crisp bases with yogurt, chutneys and spices. Learn what is in it, the main types and what to try in Ottawa.Read
- What is chole puri?Chole puri pairs spiced chickpea curry with puffed, deep-fried bread. Learn what is in it, how it differs from chole bhature and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What is dabeli?Dabeli is a Kutchi street snack: a bun filled with sweet-spicy potato, peanuts, pomegranate and chutneys. Learn how it is made and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What are hakka noodles?Hakka noodles are Indo-Chinese stir-fried noodles with vegetables, soy sauce and chilli. Learn what makes them different and where to try them in Ottawa.Read
- What is Indo-Chinese food?Indo-Chinese is India’s own Chinese-style cuisine: hakka noodles, Manchurian and schezwan. Learn its history, the classic dishes and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What is mango lassi?Mango lassi is a sweet, creamy blend of yogurt and mango pulp. Learn what lassi is, how mango lassi differs from a smoothie and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What is masala soda?Masala soda is a fizzy Indian street drink of lemon, black salt and spices. Learn what is in it, why it is also called banta and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What is milk cake?Milk cake is a dense Indian milk sweet; the modern milkcake is a soft, milk-soaked dessert. Learn the difference and where rasmalai milkcake fits in.Read
- What are momos?Momos are steamed dumplings from the Himalayan region, now a favourite across India. Learn what is inside, how they are served and the peri peri twist.Read
- What is pani puri?Pani puri is a crisp hollow shell filled with spiced potato and tangy mint water. Learn its other names (golgappa, puchka), how to eat it and where in Ottawa.Read
- What is a paratha?A paratha is a buttery, pan-fried Indian flatbread, often stuffed with potato, cauliflower, paneer or cheese. Learn the types and how to eat them.Read
- What is pav bhaji?Pav bhaji is a buttery, spiced mash of vegetables served with toasted buns. Learn what is in it, where it comes from and how to eat it in Ottawa.Read
- What is tadka Maggi?Tadka Maggi is instant noodles finished with a smoky tadka of cumin, garlic and green chilli. Learn why Maggi is an Indian comfort food and how to try it.Read
- What is vada pav?Vada pav is Mumbai’s iconic street snack: a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun with chutneys. Learn its story, how it tastes and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
- What is veg Manchurian?Veg Manchurian is an Indo-Chinese favourite: fried vegetable balls in a tangy soy-garlic sauce. Dry vs gravy, how it tastes and where to try it in Ottawa.Read
Hungry after all that reading?
Everything in these guides is on the menu at Tapri Chai, Barrhaven. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.