Prabhu Chaat Bhandar, UPSC, New Delhi

When craving for chaat items, Delhites have three options. Reach the trusted neighborhood makeshift stall on the street, head out to the supermarket styled food malls like Haldirams or Bikanerwalas or start a journey to the epic and popular places. People in Delhi are most likely ready with the first choice and rarely venture out for a journey towards food bliss. But if anytime you desire a change, head out to UPSC to savor the legendary Prabhu Chaat Bhandar.

There are some legendary chat outlets in Delhi. Ashok Chat Corner in Delhi 6 is the king of taste and spices.

Ashok Chat Corner, Chawri Bazar, New Delhi

Bombay Brunch at Satyaniketan serves chat Mumbai street style and Imly does a pretty good job at serving a few chat items from all over the country. But does Prabhu Chaat Bhandar take the top spot for the best chaat in Delhi.

Location of Prabhu Chaat Bhandar

Next to the UPSC building complex quite close to India Gate is a narrow lane where Prabhu Chaat Bhandar is located right on the street. The street is named as UPSC lane. For those who are not familiar with this place, it is better to follow Google Maps. It is a little bit on the inside of the street, which means, you may or may not be able to see it from a moving vehicle.

Also note, on Google maps it is named as Parbhu Chaat Bhandar. I have put in a change of name request as a local guide. So there might be revision in the future.

About the chat

Being a street food type place, the focus is small. So the menu consists of Bhalla Papri, Aloo Tikki, Aloo Fry and Gol Gappe. A huge frying pan dominates the place where the Tikkis are crushed and deep fried. After they reach a certain amount of crunchiness, they are mixed with a lot of spices and ingredients and what you get on the plate is a chaat item which hits the right notes.

Bhalla Papri is prepared by the owner himself. Again the right measure of spices, masala, and curd means another master piece. Spices are pretty strong, so be careful before you gulp it down.

Aloo fry is plain potatoes fried to the right crispiness and served with a mixture. The skin is not peeled off, so it gives the right amount of crunch on the outside and soft potato on the inside.

There is no seating and meal time might bring in hordes of customers from the govt offices nearby. One can however relax and see the frenzy of activity at this place.