Kebabs vs Tikkas: Street Food Showdown Between Delhi And Mumbai

Delhi and Mumbai are two Indian cities which are called melting pots because they are the birthplace of many iconic dishes, and foodies across the world enjoy street foods here. While every Indian city has something special to offer to foodies, these two are the hubs for gastronomes looking to explore not just regional but also global flavours.

The food landscape of the two cities is not only diverse but also stands as a testament to the amalgamation of cultures as people from all walks of life migrate here looking for jobs. Kebabs in Delhi and tikkas in Mumbai rule the street food scenes in the two cities. This short guide will help you identify the best spots and varieties that you cannot miss savouring when exploring the bustling lanes of Delhi and Mumbai.

Kebabs In Delhi

Delhi’s street food scenes are incomplete without kebabs on skewers. Spiced meat wrapped around iron or steel skewers which are subjected to flames can make any foodie drool in an instant. 

Smoky galouti kebabs, grilled seekh kebabs, and charred to perfect different Mughlai varieties make Delhi’s street food a must-try for any gastronome. Makeshift stalls across Jama Masjid to streetside counters around Nizamuddin, if you truly want to savour the taste of what the capital of India has to offer, you must try out these spots.

Made with lamb and chicken, these kebabs are slow-cooked in tandoors which ensures that the meat absorbs spices and is cooked to perfection. They are marinated in a rich mixture of Indian spices, curd, saffron, and cashew paste making them ideal to be served with biryani, paratha, and naan.

Some iconic restaurants or shops selling lip-smacking kebabs in Delhi are,

• Ghalib Kebab Corner - Shop 57, Ghalib Road, Near Lal Mahal, Nizamuddin, New Delhi
• Rajinder Da Dhaba - AB-14, Safdarjung Enclave Market, Safdarjung, New Delhi
• Qureshi Kebab Corner - Opposite Gate 1, Jama Masjid, New Delhi
• Khan Chacha - Shop 50, 1st Floor, Middle Lane, Khan Market, New Delhi
• Karim's - 16, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Delhi, 110006

Also Read: 8 Mumbai Street Foods That Can Compete With Delhi

Tikkas In Mumbai

Tikkas are the perfect blend of street food and coastal cuisine. Fish tikka, chicken tikka, prawn tikka, and paneer tikka are some of the most common varieties sold by street food vendors in the City of Dreams. 

The snack is first marinated in a melange of spices and grilled until the meat is cooked thoroughly. Mumbai’s food landscape is dominated by fish, prawn, and chicken tikkas. They are often served with sliced onions, chutney, and sometimes lassi to compliment their spicy, smoky, and rich notes.

The tikkas of Mumbai have roots in the Parsi and coastal cuisines. Since the choice of meat is usually marine life, they are grilled or cooked for a shorter period on skewers. Another thing that differentiates tikkas from kebabs is the tangy flavour infused in them during marination.

Some iconic restaurants to try tikkas in Mumbai include, 

• Khyber Restaurant - 145, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
• Café Noorani - Plot No.5D, Tardeo Road Opposite Heera Panna Shopping Center, Haji Ali, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400034
• Haji Tikka Corner - 78, Khara Tank Rd, Ajmer, Kumbharwada, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400003
• Zaffran - Senapati Bapat Marg, opposite Zeba, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
• Pal's Fish Corner - Shop No. 8, Kailash Shopping Center, Junction 16, 33rd Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050