Friday, September 04, 2009

Gopal corner

I have a friend who is a bit of a finicky eater. He doesn't like
anything Continental, or regional cuisine from India either. Something
like aloo-posto, that wonderful dish from east India of poppy seeds
and potatoes, leaves him cold. A good Brahmin from Uttar Pradesh, he
is a vegetarian who doesn't even eat garlic and onion. So you can't
serve him steamed spinach with garlic – a dish that otherwise always
works out well when I invite friends home for a meal.


What he does like is a plate of hot kachoris. And that is why, when I
heard that he was coming over for dinner the other evening, I
hotfooted it to Kamla Nagar in search of some khasta kachoris.


I have noticed that those who like their kachoris are pretty much
focused on them. I know that, for I am a card-holding kachori lover
myself. Whenever somebody goes to Rajasthan, I ask them to get me some
Jodhpuri kachoris. These come in two types – the mawa kachori, and the
onion kachori. The first is sweet, and stuffed with khoya. The second
is a savoury, with fried masala-soaked onions as its filling.


Of course, you get some wonderful kachoris in Delhi as well. I think
the best of the lot comes from the Old Delhi area, and Jain Sa'ab of
Darya Ganj makes the most delicious kachoris. And Kamla Nagar in the
University area has some good kachori makers, too.


I went to Gopal Snacks Corner, for this used to be an old haunt of
mine when I was a trade union activist in the University area more
than two decades ago. Lately, though, I had been hearing a lot about
Gopal from a friend who lives in the University. So I thought it was
time I renewed my old friendship with Gopal. The great thing about
this place is that while most halwais make bedmis for breakfast and
start frying kachoris in the afternoon, the two savouries are
available at Gopal's through the day. They focus their attention on
four items – apart from kachoris and bedmis, they have a bread pakora
stuffed with cottage cheese and hot gulab jamuns.


Take the road that has Ramjas College on your left and Daulat Ram on
the right, and keep going straight. The road leads to the Shaktinagar
crossing. Just before the crossing, you will find Gopal on the main
road, on your left. You'll know you have reached your destination when
you see the huge crowd in front of the shop.


I asked for 12 plates of kachoris. Each plate (for Rs 10) consists of
two kachoris, served with two dishes -- a spicy potato curry and
chholey. Gopal tops the veggies with a methi ki chutney, and adds a
dollop of raita on the curry. The kachori is nicely khasta, and you
alternately lather a piece with chholey and aloo, and then pop it into
your mouth. It's delicious.


So, to come back to the friend, I served him the kachoris for dinner.
He ignored everything else that was on the table, and concentrated
only on the kachoris. And then, after eating quite a few, he confessed
– even as his mouth was full – that he preferred bedmis to kachoris.
Well, there is always another day.


END

16 comments:

The Marauder's Map said...

Dear Chuchun,

Thanks for bringing back some really strong memories of my DU days. You left me almost in tears :). Great to see you blogging. I'll be back.

Shrabonti.

rahul verma said...

Thanks, Shrabonti. And The Marauder's Map sounds good!

eggwall said...

Dear Rahul,

The guy is close to my gastronomical heart.

When you eat standing in the shop (space expanded in last few months) you get unlimited supply of Mirch ka Achar, Gajar ka achar and two cutneys!

His boys love to serve, and as in Delhi tradition, you pay after eating.

rahul verma said...

Do keep me informed about old and new places

gestapo said...

Where can I find Jodhpuri Kachoris in Delhi?

Sanjay Gupta said...

Dear Rahul,

I read your blog today and was impressed with the details. Is there any good joint/restaurant in Delhi where one can get authentic rajstahani food?
Thanks,
Sanjay

rahul verma said...

suruchi

oakleyses said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
oakleyses said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
oakleyses said...

wedding dresses, instyler ionic styler, mcm handbags, jimmy choo shoes, uggs outlet, uggs on sale, herve leger, canada goose outlet, babyliss pro, ugg, valentino shoes, canada goose outlet, nfl jerseys, soccer jerseys, ugg soldes, beats headphones, nike huarache, reebok shoes, mac cosmetics, p90x workout, vans outlet, marc jacobs outlet, canada goose, chi flat iron, mont blanc pens, insanity workout, lululemon outlet, nike trainers, celine handbags, ghd, birkin bag, asics shoes, longchamp, giuseppe zanotti, roshe run, rolex watches, ugg boots, north face jackets, canada goose outlet, abercrombie and fitch, new balance outlet, soccer shoes, north face outlet, ferragamo shoes, bottega veneta, hollister, ugg outlet

oakleyses said...

moncler, timberland shoes, hollister, louis vuitton canada, toms outlet, juicy couture outlet, louboutin, juicy couture outlet, thomas sabo uk, nike air max, converse, baseball bats, canada goose pas cher, ugg, canada goose, canada goose uk, moncler, supra shoes, ray ban, oakley, pandora jewelry, moncler, replica watches, links of london uk, hollister canada, hollister clothing, iphone 6 case, moncler, pandora charms, canada goose, parajumpers outlet, lancel, gucci, ralph lauren, swarovski uk, montre femme, pandora uk, air max, converse shoes, swarovski jewelry, karen millen, moncler, vans, uggs canada, moncler outlet, coach outlet, wedding dress, moncler

5689 said...

zzzzz2018.7.30
ultra boost
moncler
basket nike
nike chaussure
true religion outlet
nike air max
canada goose jackets
cheap jordans
nike huarache femme
soccer boots

Monty Kapoor said...

Saksham is one of the most trustable and leading e rickshaw manufacturers in Delhi provides approved e rickshaw by Government of India. We are leading manufacturers, suppliers and exporters.
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Delhi India
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Bihar
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Maharastra
Battery E Rickshaw Loader Manufacturers in Delhi India
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Jaipur
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Jharkhand
E Rickshaw Manufacturers in Rajasthan

Embassy Attestation said...

Singapore Embassy Attestation Service in Delhi

MEA Attestation in Delhi

Thailand Embassy Attestation Service in Delhi

Usa Embassy Attestation in Delhi

Bahrain Embassy Attestation in Delhi
Bahrain Embassy Attestation in Faridabad
Bahrain Embassy Attestation in Ghaziabad
Bahrain Embassy Attestation in Gurgaon
Bahrain Embassy Attestation in Noida
Bahrain Embassy Attestation Service in Faridabad
Bahrain Embassy Attestation Service in Ghaziabad
Canada Embassy Attestation
Canada Embassy Attestation in Delhi
Canada Embassy Attestation in Faridabad
Canada Embassy Attestation in Ghaziabad
Canada Embassy Attestation in Gurgaon
Canada Embassy Attestation in Noida
Canada Embassy Attestation Service

Hire Bike On Rent said...

Great Blog!. Very informative. Bike Rentals company in Manali is the only best bike service provider that have new and serviced bikes in town. Read our blogs all about Manali
Bike on rent in Manali
Bike Rentals in Manali

seshe said...

More about the author gucci dolabuy my link replica bags online go to my blog buy replica bags online