Chef Ranveer Brar Spills The Secret Of Why Street Food Tastes Better Than Restaurants

The relationship between Indians and street food runs so deep that it’s more of a lifestyle than a choice at this point. The earliest mentions of the phenomenon can even be traced back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata For many, there’s no greater experience than a really good roadside gol gappa or a freshly fried vada pav. On the other hand, for tourists from other countries, Indian street food is treated with caution as many believe the food is prepared in unsanitary conditions which could lead to illness, and yet those who do try it usually fall under its spell.

So what is it about street food that makes it so much better than regular restaurant food? In a recent interview, Chef Ranveer Brar shared his theories on the matter.

He believes that the reason street food is better is twofold. Firstly, he says that a big contributor to the taste of street food is its freshness. Food is made fresh every day and made to order, and food is almost never stored for the next day. As Chef Brar emphasises, you’ll never see a fridge at any of these stalls but in hotels and restaurants, there are large walk-in refrigerators which allow chefs to cook sauces and things in advance and store them for days. So the fresh food that you get at street food stalls is not a matter of choice, but necessity.

Secondly, he goes on to explain how budgetary restrictions often make all the difference between street food and restaurant food. He says this also leads to confusion because, in places where they need to add 10 ingredients, they end up using 30. Whereas a street food vendor usually doesn’t have the budget to go beyond what’s necessary, and as a result, the chances of their food being delicious are higher. Sometimes, simple flavours are what really allow a dish to shine.

Also Read: Chef Ranveer Brar Visits Puri Jagganath Temple; Tries Classic Odia Dishes too

Chef Ranveer Brar is a vocal supporter of India’s regional cuisines and uses his platform and restaurants in India and Dubai to showcase dishes from all around the country. He draws his inspiration from his travels where he’s often seen visiting smaller stalls and vendors to understand a city's true flavours.

The origins of street food may date back to ancient times, when bustling marketplaces served as gathering spots for traders, travellers, and locals to exchange goods, but today they stand as cultural markers where people from all backgrounds can gather for quick, tasty, and affordable traditional dishes to satisfy the soul.