Best Indian Chaat in Birmingham: A Flavorful Journey
Indian chaat, a very colorful and flavorful mingling of sweetness, spice, and tanginess, captures the essence of India’s diverse street food culture. A group of street food originating from the Indian subcontinent is called chaat. The term “chaat” in Hindi means “to lick,” and one taste of chaat surely makes you want to lick your fingers. Most often served as a snack or a small plate, chaat can be eaten any time of the day.
A taste stamping characteristic of the chaat is that it features bold flavors created by a medley of spices, chutneys, and fresh ingredients.
Popular varieties of chaat include pani puri, bhel puri, dahi puri, sev puri, and ragda pattice.
Popular for its tangy, spicy, and flavorful taste, Indian chaat is undoubtedly a street food favorite. Below is a simple recipe for one of the most loved Aloo Chaat.
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes, boiled and diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small tomato, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder (roasted)
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black salt (or regular salt)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney
- 2 tablespoons green chutney (coriander-mint chutney)
- ¼ cup sev (crispy gram flour noodles)
- 1 tablespoon yogurt (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the boiled potatoes until golden and crispy. (Alternatively, you can air-fry or bake them.)
- Mix the ingredients
- Transfer the crispy potatoes to a bowl. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves, cumin powder, chaat masala, red chili powder, black salt, and lemon juice.
- Add chutneys
- Drizzle tamarind chutney and green chutney over the mixture.
- Garnish and serve
- Top with sev, yogurt (if using), and pomegranate seeds for extra flavor.
- Enjoy immediately
Mix well and serve fresh!
For the foodies in Birmingham, there are various avenues around the city to enjoy this snack that gained much popularity. Here is a guide to some of the best chaat joints across Birmingham, from crispy papdis to tangy dahi puri, that are sure to set your taste buds on fire.
Le Petit Chef
Rating: 4.6/5
Address: 2 Bridge St, Birmingham B1 2JZ
Le Petit Chef in Birmingham fuses traditional Indian street food, especially chaat, with a modern twist. The interiors themselves could be chic and modern, emphasizing the cordial ambiance for Guests. Some venues also implement a Chef’s-Tables kind of concept, bringing you up-close with the preparation of your dishes.
presentation. The menu serves items such as Pani Puri, Aloo Tikki, Bhel Puri, and Dahi Puri, as well as other iconic Indian street food favorites. Generally, these are freshly prepared snacks made with tamarind, yogurt, crispy puris (fried dough), spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and chutneys, guaranteeing a fun interactive food experience.
Dishoom Birmingham
Rating: 4.6/5 (Over 2000 reviews)
Address: 21B Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5QP
Dishoom is favorite for its décor and great service, but it’s also one of the best places in Birmingham to get authentic chaat. It has the essence of Mumbai street food culture and takes its menu after those lively Bombay cafés. One redeeming option for chaat on their menu is Chaat Puri. Crispy puris fill the tamarind chutney, yogurt, and chickpeas-all topped with spices that give a harmony of heat, sweetness, and tang.
So, whether you’re in for a light snack or a hearty meal, you’ll find a charming place to enjoy some fine chaat at Dishoom.
Must try: Chaat Puri
Indian Racer Cafe
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: 72 Bristol St, Birmingham B5 7AH, UK
Treats on the other hand, the Indian Racer Cafe is an iconic name in Birmingham for providing a diversified fare of traditional Indian street food, with emphasis on chaats. From the way they serve these chaats to the ingredients they source fresh, to the varied combinations meant to highlight the flavorful, tangy, and spicy nature of Indian street food, all just speak of authenticity.
Some common chaats you might find there include:
- Pani Puri: crispy, hollow shells stuffed with spicy water, chickpeas, potatoes, and tamarind chutney.
- Bhel Puri: a crispy mixture of puffed rice, sev (crispy noodles), and tangy tamarind sauce, usually garnished with chopped onions, tomatoes, and coriander.
Samosa Chaat: crispy samosas that are crumbled and complemented with yogurt, tamarind chutney, and spices
Jiya Restaurant & Sweets
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: 352 Soho Rd, Handsworth Birmingham B21 9QL
In Birmingham, Jiya Restaurant & Sweets is a famous place that offers a delectable assortment of traditional Indian food and sweet options. The delights offered at the restaurant range from classic Indian meals to dishes that add a unique touch by emphasizing the richness of South Asian flavors. The usual menu comprises a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.
The restaurant ambiance is warm and welcoming and ideal for casual meals or family gatherings. There is also a takeaway facility at Jiya Restaurant & Sweets, which makes it a good option to order delicious Indian food and tasty sweets when there is some craving at home.
Special Items:
- Biryani
- Chaat
- Kebabs and Grilled Meats
- Curries and Stews
- Sweets (Mithai)
- Milkshakes & Lassi