dabeli, baby.
So there are people out there who claim to be Gujarati and never heard of dabeli – also given the nomenclature of “fun in a bun” by my foodie friend Sheetal. Dabeli is the past participle of ‘press’ – so, in a word: pressed!
Forget vada-pav, that’s done with. Dabeli is a potato thing with raw onions (crunchy), peanuts and pomegranate kernels. And right before serving it, the vendor will sprinkle sev on it… Hot, spicy, sweet, crunchy, chewy — good stuff! At a street corner near you, but only in the evenings. And the best one ever is around the corner from my house! Yay 😀
Dabeli is definitely one of those things I dearly miss about Gujarat. I just love the crunchy feel of the peanuts and the slight sweet taste of those pomegranate kernels.I still havent found a place here in chennai which sells that good dabeli.
Woah! I have had Dabeli several times when I was studying in Pune…Man…Nothing to beat its taste. It reminds me of all the ‘fun’ times I had over there…And oh as a Chennai-vasi, I have tried searching for dabeli at several places unsuccessfully!
I totally agree – Dabeli is soooooo much better than vada pav. As Karthiksn pointed out I think what sets it apart is the contrast in textures and flavours with the peanuts vs potatoes and spicy chutney vs the sweet pomegranate kernels. Yumster!!
a very bollywood name – chameli, paheli… 😀
@karthiksn, @aishwaryarao @chetthakar – you’ll have to come join me in Bollyland. I promise to show you a good (dabeli) time. 😀
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ….
Aha! What’s there in a name? “Babeli” would taste as hot by whatever name you called it!!
Thanks.
Nanda
http://ramblingnanda.blogspot.com
http://remixoforchid.blogspot.com
dabeli is surely in my fav lists… tho i prefer vada pav… 🙂
Oh ho! Yeh kya kiya Chhavi tuney. Bhook lag gayi!
Yum
This Guji has never heard of such a thing. Judging by the picture, I have never tried it either. It sounds delicious though!
@Gaurav Patel dude 😀 where are you? let’s fix you up with some dabeli!
Oh I love Dabeli! Wonder why it isn’t as popular as vada pav.
@Animesh, I don’t know! I’ve been evangelizing people for a bit now 😀 I’ve met one person so far who can’t stand the ‘meetha’ taste though. Maybe they prefer the straight saltiness of Vada Pav?
nice blog chhavi. we are looking for more authors for our blog. ( it’s quite popular ) . would you like to join us. you will be given complete freedom to write anything and anytime you want. let us know please.
i love this thing but NA in Delhi:((( Pl get half dozen on yr next trip to the capital…..
I love the dabeli. It’s a complete weakness for me. While it does appear simple, it’s still an art to get all the stuff just right.
There have been times when I have consumed more than 4 at a stretch…..
@Teresa, gladly. except it’s only available in the evenings and will be soggy by the time I get it to you. Still game? 😉
@Nimesh, four!!! I’ve been greedy enough to eat two a few times … 😀
I love Dabeli… its my fav snack…i cant resist. Am a Gujju so its also made at our home… 🙂
The best Dabeli u can get in Mumbai is at Mulund (Central Suburbs).
Boy! I so feel like havin’ one now! I agree with Jatin above about where you get good double rotis!
@jatin @brad cool. I’ll have to go to Mulund in search of this dabeli … is double roti the same thing??
I love dabeli.
Being a gujarati, I always loved food and dabeli being one of the best thing to eat at evening time.
Can anyone suggest any nice place in andheri(east) or nearby where I can get nice and yummy dabeli….
I am already feeling hungry guys…