Chinese food has city asking for more

Palate ticklers

The city is a melting pot of different cultures and faith, different people and eclectic fashion. But the one thing that transcends all ‘differences’ is the Dilliwallah’s love for food and their remarkable ability to be adventurous and try out varied cuisines across continents.

Food culture here has been changing since decades, from the Persian to British cuisine, and from around Asia. With many expats making the city their home, the city has naturally adapted and innovated to accommodate the ever changing palates and various food styles, including the ‘Chinese food’ which enjoys huge popularity in the city and elsewhere in the country.

“My friends and I prefer more of Chinese food, especially noodles. It’s easily available, fills the tummy and is soul satisfying,” says Sridhar, a medical student. The students who come around from different places in the country to pursue higher studies in the National Capital, seem to have a strong predilection for Chinese cuisine. Spicy stir-fried noodles, with Chilli Chicken or Vegetable Manchurian seems to be a staple of many who find the good old aloo paranthas, chhole, shahi paneer and rajma chawal too routine and like “home cooked food”!

“I’m a South Indian. I found the food here too plain for my liking. So, to sate my desire for spicy food , I felt the best option was to have Chinese food like noodles and fried rice, along with the variety of sauces, which are hot and yummy. I do have south Indian food at times but Chinese food is like an addiction for me,” says Joe Marshal, an MBA student.
Food served by the local vendors here is delicious and amazing. Every street has at least one Chinese food outlet.

Vendors feel good to be here as the food business is lucrative. Some hawkers have even come from neighbouring countries and settled down in the city.  Owner of Momo’s House at Gautam Nagar, Na-rayan, who hails from Nepal says “many students come for Chinese food to my shop. They prefer more of fried rice and many of them appreciate our food. We love serving students because they are friendlier and we even do home delivery which makes our customers more interested.”

“Hot or sour soup, Veg Manchurian, dumplings with sauces, ManChow soup are my favourites. I order these from my favourite Chinese restaurant. I get special pork in Chinese restaurants which is difficult to get in other places here in Delhi,” says Bona Mutum from Nagaland who works as business development officer. She adds, “Taste is one of the important aspects which people go for, from starters to desserts Chinese cuisine serves different things.” 

Small or big, restaurants offering an array of popular Chinese dishes are flourishing in the city. “In a day we serve 100 to 150 people, in which some are our regular customers. I feel people love the taste of our chowmein and it requires very little time to prepare and serve. The speciality of our eatery is chowmein, and we serve three types Vegetarian, Egg Chowmein and Chilly Garlic Chowmein,” say Vijay and Saral, vendors at Green Park.