Best Chaat in Delhi consider One of the tops foodies

Few people know who Daulat was but everyone knows the delicate-as-dew chaat that takes over Delhi's Shahjahanabad street during winter. It is known by many names across North India—Nimish (traditional dishes) in Lucknow, malai makhan in Kanpur, malaiyyo in Banaras and Daulat ki chaat in Delhi—this sweet, snack has been tasted for centuries and it is a great example of the ingenuity of Indian and mithai Walas.

How is it exceptional from the usual chaat?

It gives a magical concoction of froth, saffron, mawa, bura (raw sugar) and dry fruits. Prepare with fresh creamy milk that is traditionally chilled in the winter dew overnight, this season especially is hand-churned for hours to clouds of foam, which is collected in a platter (paraat) and stored on ice to retain its taste and texture for the morning. Old Delhi is the best place to sample Daulat ki chaat with multiple carts spread all over the walled city offering the freshest versions of it all winter. We talk to notable food people in Delhi and ask them to share their personal favourite spots to sample Daulat ki chaat.

Chandni Chowk “Just as well that Daulat ki Chaat vendors can always be found in the intersection between Kinari Bazar and Parathe wali Galli. The first time I tried this winter delight, I felt let down: I kept waiting for a solid mouthful, not realising that Daulat ki Chaat (a singularly misleading name, if ever there was one) consisted entirely of froth and foam. What exactly the morning dew had to do with this barely sweet, slightly scented foam, I could not understand. After all these years of making the trek to Chandni Chowk to feel the tickle of foam on my palate, I feel profoundly glad that solid mouthfuls are not part of the equation, and all you get to ingest is morning dew disguised as magic.

Dariba Kalan “I have been having Daulat ki chaat ever since I came to Delhi for the first time in 2002. Although it was torturous to wake up early in Delhi winter, especially for a Bengali from Calcutta, it soon became a ritual to travel all the way to Chandni Chowk for Daulat ki chaat. Over the years I have had the opportunity to eat it at multiple places, including adaptations of it at restaurants, personally, the one that I keep going back to is a small thela (cart) that Babu Ram Rakesh Kumar, (call 9654331721, 9654261219) puts up at the clock market at Dariba Kalan. The consistency, the sweetness, the composition of it is just perfect.” Vikramjit Roy, The Tangra Project “My favourite Daulat ki chaat is from Babu Ram in Dariba Kalan. It is light and foamy and just melts in your mouth, And what I like is that it is not too overpowered by kewra.” Ritu Dalmia, Diva Group of Restaurants "As someone who grew up in Daryaganj, Daulat ki chaat was a part of growing up, something you got at the corner shop. I remember going to Dariba Kalan with my grandfather and uncle in winter afternoons all wrapped up in shawls to have this light, airy dessert that came in little donas. This guy with a large thali with the chaat would carry it on the cycle and make little dona for me. I loved the nuts and cherries they used to put on top.