Ramzaan or Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. An annual period when Muslims all over the globe observe mass fasting to commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran. During this time while fasting Muslims refrain from, eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations and any such activity which negates the reward of fasting from dawn until sunset. The meal before dawn is called SUHOOR or SEHRI and after sunset it’s called IFTAR and during these times it’s a celebration of food with family and the members of the community.
In New Delhi, Jama masjid is one such area which converts into a food hub during Ramzaan and is flocked by foodies from across the city. Several small stalls and roadside vendors sprout up which attract larger and larger crowds. The scene is electrifying and the aroma from the lip smacking food grips you as soon as you enter the area. This was my first visit to the area and surely a memorable one. I was guided by a foodie friend who is a regular to this area who took me to the best places, not only for street food but some legendary places serving delectable and authentic mughlai cuisine. Here are a few places which are not to be missed.
LALU KEBABE
The place is filled with immense rush and the speed they serve the mouth watering Seekh kebabs is simply overwhelming. They serve a plate of 4 Pcs kebabs at a mere price of Rs 40 and no prizes for guessing that it is buffalo meat which indeed is delicious and does not harm you if you have once in a while.
ANMOL CHICKEN
Located just next to Lalu Kebabe, Anmol chicken was our next stop. This place is nestled outside a by lane, operates from just 2 tables but the quantity of chicken tikka and chicken seekh kebab it churns out is enormous. The tikkas are loaded with butter and there is a big possibility that you might not eat anything after this as your tummy gets super filled.
HILAL HOTEL NIHARI
They say ramzaan meal is incomplete without a nihari as it is power packed which makes you go all day long without a meal. It is quite difficult to locate this small shop which is inside Gali Madrassa Hussain Baksh, Matia Mahal. The nahari served here is full of flavours and a lot of fat is used to cook it. It is recommended that a normal person should not eat anything for hours before consuming the famous nihari from this place.
KARIM HOTEL
The legendary Karim’s needs no introduction, the century old is a landmark of Delhi’s food scene and people for far off places don’t mind travelling just to feast on the authentic mughlai cuisine this place serves. It remains crowded all day long with not only the locals but also expats. Amongst an enormous variety, one should not miss the seekh kebabs, kormas, mutton stew, mutton pasanda and the famous phirni from this place.
AL JAWAHAR
It’s a lesser known fact that Al jawahar opened its doors somewhere around when our country attained independence and was actually named after our first prime minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. Al Jawahar’s location just next to the Karim Hotel attracts a lot of comparison with the latter. Karim’s popularity has a lot of clientele, but people who are regular to this place pick it anytime over Karim’s. The badam pasanda and keema kaleji here are legendary.
COOL POINT
The mango ice cream and shahi tukda combination this small stall divided into sections in Matia Mahal lane can give any gourmet dessert a run for its money. In simple words if you do not end your meal at the Jama masjid area with this you are surely missing something. The hot and crispy shahi tukda when had with the chilled homemade mango ice cream results in an explosion of flavours which pampers your palate to the fullest. The Phirni is also something which you should try.
Many eateries in this area also perform social services for the under privileged. Places like Gharib Nawaz Hotel and Rehmatullah hotel provide a portion of Korma, 2 breads and a phirni at a very nominal price of Rs 20 for the entire ramzan period.
One may also take back some Gur Ki Seviyann and Dates available in abundance from the street vendors. If you are real foodie and love your kebabs, biryanis, and kormas and have not visited the Jama Masjid Area, then do visit now as the holy ramzaan is the right time
