Indian street food
Vada pav vs dabeli.
Both are potato snacks in a bun, but they taste nothing alike. Vada pav is garlicky and savoury; dabeli is sweet, spicy and crunchy.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
Vada pav
Fried fritter
Dabeli
Potato mash filling
Vada pav from
Mumbai
Dabeli from
Kutch, Gujarat
01
What is inside
A vada pav holds a whole fried potato fritter, coated in gram flour batter, with green chutney and dry garlic chutney. A dabeli holds a soft, cooked potato mash flavoured with a sweet-and-spicy dabeli masala, topped with roasted peanuts, pomegranate seeds and sev.
02
Taste and texture
Vada pav is crisp outside, fluffy inside and sharp with garlic and chilli. The only crunch comes from the fritter. Dabeli is soft and sweet, with a crunch from the peanuts and sev and a burst of juice from the pomegranate. It is richer and more varied in texture.
03
Where they come from
Vada pav is the best-known street food of Mumbai and is commonly credited to a vendor near Dadar station in the 1960s. Dabeli comes from Kutch in Gujarat and is said to have been invented in the town of Mandvi.
04
Which to order
Order vada pav if you like savoury, garlicky food and want a hot, crisp bite. Order dabeli if you like a mix of sweet and spicy and want something with more texture. If you cannot decide, order both: they cost the same, and they are small.
- Vada Pav, $5.49
- Loaded Dabeli, $5.49
- Peri-Peri Vada Pav, $6.49
05
Both at Tapri Chai
Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Questions, answered.
Is dabeli sweeter than vada pav?
Yes. Dabeli has a sweet-spicy filling with tamarind and pomegranate, while vada pav is savoury and garlicky.
Which is spicier?
Vada pav usually has more raw heat from garlic and chilli. Dabeli has a warm spice softened by sweetness.
Are both vegetarian?
Yes. Both are made with potato, bread and spices.
How much are they at Tapri Chai?
Vada Pav and Loaded Dabeli are each $5.49 CAD.
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.