Our trip started off in New Delhi where we stayed with family friends. We were there for five days and visited all the popular sights, including:
Other sights we visited in New/Old Delhi were Qutub Minar (click on the name to view photo album), Humayan's Tomb, the Lotus Temple, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Red Fort. Pictures to follow soon.
When we first bought this snack, I thought we would share it. It is 3 inches in height and width. However, my husband had other plans. He ate all of it before I could even take a bite. He even ordered a second one. We went to Haldiram's every day just for this snack.
Raj Kachori is a Royal style kachori that is a popular North Indian snack. It is a crispy puffy puri that is filled with dahi (or plain yogurt), boondi, black chana, potato, and crushed papadi. It is also sprinkled with sev, pomegranate seeds, tamarind chutney, chaat masala, and mint chutney. There might have been other ingredients mixed in but we couldn't figure them out.
This snack really took both my husband and me by surprise because it was spicy, sweet and a little sour but in a good way. I can't believe all these flavors play so well in one dish. We also liked the desserts or sweets they have like the Bengali Rabri, Burfis, and Rasgulla.
Haldiram's is different from other fast-food restaurants. When you walk in, you first pay for the items you want to eat or drink, then take the receipt(s) to the different food/beverage kiosks in the restaurant. This system ensures that no one walks away without paying. We really did enjoy the food and service at this place. The service staff is also very helpful.
Other restaurants to check out in New Delhi:
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| INDIA GATE - is a war memorial located along Rajpath |
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| Can you read what is written on top of this memorial? It says, "To the dead of the Indian Armies who fell and are honored in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, and Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the near and the Far East and in sacred memory also of those whose names are here. |
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| Amar Jawan Jyoti - "Flame of the immortal soldier" For dead and unknown soldiers of Indian Armed Forces |
Other sights we visited in New/Old Delhi were Qutub Minar (click on the name to view photo album), Humayan's Tomb, the Lotus Temple, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Red Fort. Pictures to follow soon.
What trip is complete without its foodie adventures? We dined at some of my favorite spots in Delhi including Nirula's to get kulfi or creamy, Indian ice cream:
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| Look at him, hogging up all the ice cream! |
I enjoyed the food at Haldiram's so much during my last trip that I decided to take my husband there. His favorite snack at this restaurant was and still is Raj Kachori.
When we first bought this snack, I thought we would share it. It is 3 inches in height and width. However, my husband had other plans. He ate all of it before I could even take a bite. He even ordered a second one. We went to Haldiram's every day just for this snack.
Raj Kachori is a Royal style kachori that is a popular North Indian snack. It is a crispy puffy puri that is filled with dahi (or plain yogurt), boondi, black chana, potato, and crushed papadi. It is also sprinkled with sev, pomegranate seeds, tamarind chutney, chaat masala, and mint chutney. There might have been other ingredients mixed in but we couldn't figure them out.
This snack really took both my husband and me by surprise because it was spicy, sweet and a little sour but in a good way. I can't believe all these flavors play so well in one dish. We also liked the desserts or sweets they have like the Bengali Rabri, Burfis, and Rasgulla.
Haldiram's is different from other fast-food restaurants. When you walk in, you first pay for the items you want to eat or drink, then take the receipt(s) to the different food/beverage kiosks in the restaurant. This system ensures that no one walks away without paying. We really did enjoy the food and service at this place. The service staff is also very helpful.
Other restaurants to check out in New Delhi:
- This popular kebabs and kormas place behind Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, which is called Karim's Hotel Private Limited. This restaurant wasn't the easiest place to get to from the Jama Masjid Metro station but it was worth the travel. This restaurant received close to 7K reviews on Google. ***Please note: this place only accepts cash payment, so make sure you have some.
- Singh Sahib restaurant located at Central Rd, Sector 5 Market, Pocket 1, Sector 11 Dwarka
- Must-try dishes: Thai Chicken Spring rolls, Afghani Murgh Dum Biryani Chicken
- If you like McDonald's and are curious to try McDonald's burgers worldwide, then you should try one in India, especially if you like spicy food. I ordered a Chicken Maharaja Mac and the restaurant staff made it seem like it wasn't spicy, BUT IT WAS REALLY SPICY FOR ME!!
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| Look at how many slices of Jalapenos were in my burger? It should have a warning label somewhere on the box. |
After all the fun of sightseeing and eating out, we also checked out their huge shopping malls in Dwarka; easily accessible by Metro and Uber:
- Vegas Mall in Sector 14
- Soul City Mall in Sector 13
- City Centre in Sector 12
We also picked up some souvenirs at Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Janpath. We preferred to buy them from here because we would be safe from not being ripped at the local places in all the heritage sights we visited around India. By the way, this place also is easily accessible by Metro.
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| We bought Amar Chitra Katta (Indian comics), Makrana marble tea coasters, and papier-mache boxes |
It is easy to get carried away when shopping for souvenirs at this store as there many levels filled with wondrous things:
- Basement level: Traditional paintings and gift wrapping
- Level I: Woodcraft, Metalware, marble craft, ethnic jewelry, packaged tea
- Level II: Bedspreads/table linen, papier-mache, crafts, and paper stationery
- Level III: Ready to wear for men, ready to wear for women, silk and cotton fabrics, pottery/marble craft
- Level IV: Shawls, sarees, scarves/stoles and bags, Bindis, bangles, shoes
- Level V: Children's garments, toys, and musical instruments
- Level VI: Furniture, cabinets, beautifully handcrafted wooden screens, Marble tabletops, etc
We enjoyed our stay in New Delhi when we arrived in mid-November and left mid-December. If you plan to visit New Delhi, it's best to go before mid December before the temperatures drop to 50s. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to visiting New Delhi again someday.
