India is a country with so much diversity, and this is reflected in the food. There are foods to please any palate for just $1 or less! With that said, here are some of the most delicious dishes you can find in India for under $1:
Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a very popular Indian street food made with vegetables, spices, and butter. It’s often served as an appetizer or snack in Mumbai cafes but it can be eaten any time of day! There are many different ways to make this dish depending on your taste preference.
This is a spiced mashed vegetable dish that tastes great on its own or with bread. The vegetables used are potatoes, tomatoes and green peas which are all mixed up in the spices of garlic, ginger, cumin seeds and garam masala then served with buttered buns. Pav Bhaji can be found at most street food vendors in India.
Chole Kulche
Chole Kulche is a delicious Indian snack that is both healthy and tasty. You can eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner! The way they are made is simple – It’s basically chole, the spicy chickpea curry made with onions and tomatoes served on top of Kulcha bread which has been baked until it is crispy.
Chole Kulche are usually served with chutney (a type of Indian sauce) or yogurt raita, which is made from yogurt and cucumbers. The dish is very popular in the northern part of India, especially Punjab and Delhi.
Chole Kulche can be found at most places that sell Indian food for a low price which makes it easy to eat them on a budget! They are made fresh and taste delicious so you won’t regret trying this amazing snack!
Aloo Paratha
Aloo Paratha is one of my favorite Indian foods. It is a flatbread filled with cooked, spiced potatoes and sometimes other vegetables like peas or onions.
It’s usually eaten for breakfast but it can be for lunch or dinner too! Most people eat Aloo Paratha with either some fresh vegetables in a yogurt dipping sauce called raita or some chutney.
Aloo Paratha is one of those foods that is truly delicious no matter when you have it or how its served.
Tawa Pulao
Tawa Pulao is a delicious, quick, and easy food that is widely enjoyed in India. It’s made with simple ingredients like basmati rice, spices, ghee (clarified butter), and vegetables. Tawa Pulao has an amazing Indian taste because it combines the flavors of ginger garlic paste along with cumin seeds for authenticity.
Tawa Pulao is a food that you can get for under a dollar in India, making it one of the cheapest foods to eat while traveling or living there. This dish tastes great and has an amazing aroma because usually, vendors make Tawa Pulao with special ghee which gets cooked at high temperatures on a metal griddle called a “Tawa.”
Tawa Pulao is a special dish that you have to try out whenever possible. The next time you are in India, make sure you buy this food and enjoy it with your friends or family for lunch or dinner!
Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a popular Maharashtrian dish made up of spicy sprouts and farsan. This dish is very popular in Pune. The Misal also has potato pieces in it that are cooked separately from the spicy sauce or curry which gives this delicious food its unique flavor and is often eaten with pav (bread).
People enjoy eating Misal Pav all over the Maharashtra regions in India. The dish is very popular during breakfast time, but it can also be eaten for lunch or dinner as well. If you’re not into spicy foods then this might be a dish that will leave your tongue a little on fire.
Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma is a popular fast food dish in India and Middle East. It typically consists of chicken that is seasoned with spices and then grilled or baked together with some vegetables such as cabbage and onions.
The meat is shaved from the surface along thin slices which are piled on top of each other to form a bulging cone-like shape. The dish can be served two ways; either stuffed into pita bread to make it like a sandwich or rolled up inside flatbread.
Momos
Momos are a traditional Tibetan food that’s similar to dumplings. They’re usually filled with veggies and meat, but can be vegan, too. Although they’re usually eaten in the winter months, their popularity has led to them being sold year-round on the streets of India and Nepal. Steamed or fried is how you’ll find these tasty treats on most menus, so it doesn’t matter if you like your food hot or cold!
Since they were popularized in India, Momos have been adapted to the Indian palette. For example, their vegetable filling includes a mix of cauliflower and potatoes–so tasty! It’s also common for them to be served with some form of sauce or chutney, which can range from sweet to spicy depending on what you’re craving.
Panipuri
Panipuri is the perfect snack for anyone on a budget. They are sold by street vendors, small shops, and restaurants all over India. You can get an entire plate of them for less than $0.50 USD!
This popular snack consists of different types of flour crisps, boiled potatoes, onions, chickpeas and chutneys like green chili or pudina served in the form of a small round ball. They are then dipped into tangy water that gives it an amazing flavor.
They are the perfect, light accompaniment to any meal – they don’t weigh you down like other snacks might! They also make for great street food from vendors that can be eaten on the go, although restaurants will serve them in a cup or bowl to eat with silverware.
Panipuri is not only enjoyed by locals but also made in many parts of the world, such as America and Canada! The traditional Indian recipe has been slightly modified for other tastes – however, it still remains affordable and delicious no matter where you are eating them at.
Jalebi
Jalebi is a delicious Indian sweet dish made of deep fried maida flour (wheat flower) batter in pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. They can be enjoyed at any time of day with some curd!
Jalebi is an incredibly popular street food and one that every visitor to India should try out for themselves! The dish originates from the Indian subcontinent and has spread its way across Asia.
Jalebi is a dish that has been popular for hundreds of years and continues to remain so today – it’s not going anywhere soon! Don’t miss out on trying this amazing Indian sweet treat while in India. It’s delicious, cheap, easy to find and simply unforgettable.
Egg Omelette
Egg Omelette is a popular breakfast food in India. The dish is made with eggs, onions, and tomatoes fried together to form the omelette that can be enjoyed alongside bread or rice. Because of its low cost, Egg Omelette has become one of the most widely consumed foods across all economic classes throughout Indian society.
Samosa
Samosa is a fried or baked dish with savory filling, usually spiced potatoes, vegetables and sometimes ground lamb. Samosa is very popular in India where it’s enjoyed by many families every day for lunch or dinner.
In India, people have a special tradition of eating samosas on the street. The reason for this is that they’re very easy to carry around and eat while walking or standing up. There are also many carts in every city where you can buy them from!
Samosa can be served with different kinds of chutneys, like tamarind or coriander-mint sauce depending on the region they’re from. They also go well with yogurt sauces! There are many types of samosas but one thing’s for sure they’re delicious!
Dosa
Dosa is a type of pancake that you can add practically anything to. In this case, we’re going to focus on the traditional Indian dosa – which is basically just rice batter and lentils blended together into a crepe-like form with spices added in for flavor.
Dosa’s are typically enjoyed as a breakfast food or snack because they go very well with chutney. Dosa’s are naturally gluten free, so if you’ve got a friend or family member who can’t have wheat – this is the perfect dish for them!
Fried Rice
Fried Rice is a classic dish that’s very popular in India and other Asian countries that’s made from rice and spices. It can be served as an entrée or side, but it always tastes great! Many people enjoy eating fried rice with chicken and veggies added to the mix. People often find Fried Rice at low-budget restaurants in India, so you should definitely try some if you haven’t already!
Bhel Puri
Bhel Puri is a popular dish in India. It can be prepared as an appetizer, street food or even as a side dish! The ingredients are simple – puffed rice mixed with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and coriander leaves – but it’s the spices that give Bhel Puri its distinctive flavor.
The dish gets its name from the Hindi words “bhel”, meaning “mixed”, and “puri” or “poori”, which means deep-fried wheat bread.
Bhel Puri is often topped with sev, lemon juice and green chutney before it’s served in a paper cone or plastic tub for people to take away. It’s also common practice in India to serve Bhel Puri as a street food rather than in restaurants.
People enjoy eating bhel puri by themselves or with friends and family; it’s quick, easy and very affordable! The best place to eat these delicious snacks is on the streets of Mumbai.
Kachori
Kachori is an Indian deep-fried snack that is usually stuffed with vegetables. It’s made all over India, but each region has their own unique style of making it. It’s typically filled with an amazing mixture of spices and the best type of stuffing you could ever wish for! Every bite will be like tasting heaven in your mouth. Kachori is the perfect combo of crispy, crunchy and soft.
It’s usually served with a tangy tamarind sauce that helps bring out all the flavors in every bite you take!
Kachori tastes best eaten while still warm! It’s delicious any time of day, but some people love to have them as a quick snack or even with their morning tea. Make sure you’re not alone when eating Kachori, because there is nothing more frustrating than trying to enjoy an amazing food and having no one to share it with!
Aloo Chaat
Aloo Chaat is a popular Indian street food that is made with potatoes, tomatoes and many spices. The combination of the three ingredients creates an amazing flavor which makes it so delicious! Aloo chaat can be eaten by dipping pieces in yogurt or tamarind chutney. It’s a great snack for people who want something small but filling before dinner time rolls around.
Aloo chaat is made with boiled potatoes that are then cut into cubes and fried in oil until they’re crispy on the outside. The same fryer can be used to cook chopped tomatoes which are also seasoned with spices such as cumin, chili powder and salt.
The mixture is then put together in a bowl, drizzled with yogurt or tamarind chutney and topped off with fresh cilantro for garnish. In India, you can find aloo chaat being sold by many street vendors and in restaurants for a very cheap price of under a dollar!
Vada pav
Vada Pav is a street food snack from Mumbai, India. It is usually served as a sandwich with the vada being the bread and it’s sold by vendors on footpaths or at busy market places.
Vada pav consists of batata vadas. The vada is crispy on the outside while soft on the inside. It’s made from mashed potatoes that have been mixed with coriander, chili and carom seeds, ginger paste and salt – then fried in batter until golden.
They are then sandwiched between slices of pav (bread), and topped with various chutneys, fried green chili peppers or raw red onion rings.
Vada pav is a delicious India street food you should try! When it comes to flavour combinations nothing beats vada pav with some spicy garlic chutney or fried green chili peppers – definitely an interesting new experience for your taste buds. You can find them in restaurants all over India or get a great deal from street vendors for breakfast and late-night snack times.
Idli Sambar
Idli Sambar is the most popular dish in India, and is a traditional food that can be eaten at any time of day. It’s also one of the cheapest foods you’ll find on your trip while still tasting amazing! The name means “steamed rice cake,” which gives an idea about what this dish consists of: steamed rice cakes made from white lentils and rice, mixed with a spicy red lentil soup.
It’s often served with fresh coconut chutney for dipping on the side. You will find it in most restaurants, and at any street food vendor.
You can eat Idli Sambar for breakfast, lunch or dinner and they are really cheap! You should try this dish when you come visit India – we’re sure you’ll love it!
Egg Bhurji
Egg Bhurji is an Indian scrambled egg dish. It is made by cooking various ingredients, including onions and spices in oil or ghee until it becomes a thick paste-like consistency. A spicy version of this popular food includes the use of green chilies too!
People enjoy eating Egg Bhurji because they love that it’s delicious but also affordable at the same time. So, if you’re on a budget but still want to have an amazing meal then look no further than this tasty dish!
People can eat Egg Bhurji by itself or it can be eaten with pav (bread) and roti. It is also quite popular as a breakfast item so many people enjoy eating it when they wake up!
Kadhi Chawal
Kadhi Chawal is a traditional Indian dish. It is a type of spicy yogurt-based curry with vegetables, lentils, and gram flour. This dish’s rich and creamy flavor comes from the yogurt used to prepare it. The curry itself is mildly spiced, so those with a low tolerance for spicy food can still enjoy this meal.
Kadhi Chawal also contains numerous spices such as cardamom seeds which give it an exotic taste that many people love to eat when they visit India.
In addition to its inexpensive price, Kadhi Chawal is also a filling meal that provides protein in the form of gram flour and vegetables. It can be found throughout many cities in India and is a staple in most Indian restaurants.
This dish has been enjoyed by Indians for hundreds of years, so you can imagine why it’s such an important part of the culture! If you’re ever traveling to Delhi or Mumbai, be sure to try this amazing food at least once. You won’t regret it!
Dabeli
Dabeli is a great example of an Indian street food that is both tasty and cheap. It’s also extremely popular with those who find the time to visit India on vacation, as it can be found in most major cities across the country.
Dabeli consists of a spicy potato filling stuffed inside a bun along with some fresh spices and chutney sauce for good measure. The snack is finished off with a sprinkling of peanuts and pomegranate seeds for added flavor and crunchiness.
Falooda
Falooda is a popular Indian drink which is made with milk, basil seeds, rice noodles and lots of different flavors. The most common flavors are rose water or cardamom powder but you can also find it in fruit flavor like mangoes.
It’s very delicious and refreshing because the combination between sweet (syrup) and sour (lime). Falooda is usually served in a tall glass and has the consistency of a smoothie, which makes it perfect for kids.
People enjoy Falooda by dipping little pieces of basil seeds soaked in syrup into their drink so they can eat them when finished drinking it. You can also add rose water or cardamom powder to make it even better.
Soya Chaap
Soya Chaap is a vegetarian food commonly eaten in India. It is made from soybeans, wheat flour and spices. In fact, soya chaap can be served as a meat substitute for people with dietary restrictions or vegan preferences.
Soya Chaap is delicious on its own but it can also be paired with other vegetables to create more complex dishes such as Soya Chaap Tikka Masala. It is also common for people to eat it in sandwiches or wraps with vegetables like tomatoes, onions and cilantro (coriander leaves).
The making of soya chaap is very similar to that of regular meat. First, the soybeans are soaked in water for six hours and then boiled until soft. Once cooked, the beans are ground into a paste along with other ingredients such as salt, pepper powder , turmeric powder (to give it its yellow color), ginger-garlic paste, and spices such as coriander powder (cilantro), garam masala , etc.
The mixture is then shaped into patties and fried in oil until crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside.
Milkshake
Milkshake is a traditional dessert that people enjoy in India. It is made with milk, ice cream and flavored syrup. It can be enjoyed any time of the day but it especially popular at breakfast or after dinner when you are hungry for something sweet, creamy and cold.
There are so many flavors available to suit every palate including chocolate chip mint bars, strawberry, and vanilla.
Lassi
Lassi is a must-try drink, which is usually served as an appetizer. This drink can be made with different ingredients like yogurt and spices or fruits. It comes in many flavors such as masala lassi, sweet lassi, salty lassi etc., but some of the most popular ones are strawberry lassi and mango lassi.
The best thing about this drink is that it’s refreshingly delicious, especially during hot summer days or after a spicy meal. That’s why people usually go for lassis in the morning with breakfast to help them stay hydrated throughout the day. With their tangy taste they are also an amazing addition to any meal.
Final words
A lot of countries have their own traditional foods that are cheap and delicious. India is no exception, as the country has a wide variety of dishes to offer at an affordable price. One example is Dabeli, which consists of spicy potato filling stuffed inside buns along with chutney sauce for good measure.
The snack can be found in most major cities across the country and usually costs less than $1! If you’re looking for something sweet or salty after your meal, try Falooda (a popular Indian drink) or Milkshake (made with milk, ice cream and syrup). Both drinks will leave you satisfied without breaking the bank.
