Ordering Street Food in India: Hindi Phrases & Safety Basics

Chaat, dosa, *chai*, spice levels, and how to say vegetarian clearly — without missing out on flavor.

Stall names, specialties, and spice defaults change every hundred kilometers. Mumbai *vada pav* differs from Kolkata *phuchka* shells. Hindi bridges North India; switch to regional words in South India—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam—where English often suffices in cities anyway.

Watch busy stalls with high turnover; heat kills many risks, though not all.

Say *main shakahari hoon* (I am vegetarian) in Hindi belt contexts. *Pure veg* restaurants exclude meat; *eggetarian* confusion happens—ask about eggs in batter. Vegan travelers specify *dairy mat* (no dairy) because ghee hides everywhere.

Jain dietary rules exclude root vegetables in strict venues—communicate early.