A cheat sheet to India’s best street foods

“Bahut swadisht” (or "that's delicious") is one of few Hindi phrases I memorized while traveling inIndia -- and for good reason.

From sweet confections to spicy, sinus-cleansing snacks, every street corner was serving up something delicious and praise-worthy. In fact, the roadside stalls, as with many other destinations, showcased the heart and soul of the country’s culinary scene even more than its five-star restaurants. After all, whether it’s a 2 a.m. comfort food craving or mid-afternoon pick-me-up to power through sight-seeing, indulging in street fare is a surefire way to get a taste of the local culture.

So to help you feel confident in your order during your next jaunt to India, we drafted a crib sheet of some of the country’s most delicious sidewalk offerings.

Tossed with an assortment of veggies, puffed rice, potatoes, sev, and tamarind chutney, bhel puri puts all other run-of-the-mill salads to shame. And although you can order the colorful street snack around the country, diehard fans swear by the paper cone variation found on Juhu and Chowpatty beaches in Mumbai. Either way, brace yourself for a kaleidoscope of flavors (sweet, spicy, sour) and textures (cold, crunchy, sticky) upon the first bite.

Vada Pav

Here’s what you need to know about this Mumbai street staple: Pav equals bread and vada is a palm-sized potato patty that's cobbled together with garlic, green chilies, coriander, ginger, and chickpea flour batter before hitting the fryer. Together, they make a beautiful burger-like union that's enjoyed by everyone, from students to suited professionals. Anthony Bourdain even called the fiery grab-and-go snack the best thing he ate during a trip across India. How's that for more affirmation?

Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji is to Mumbai what pizza and hot dogs are to New York City and shawarma is to Tel Aviv. Translation: the tangy chaat variety can be devoured pretty much any time of day -- lunch, dinner, linner, for late-night munchies, you name it. The bhaji, a masterful mash-up of potatoes, peas, tomatoes, onions, and fragrant spices, is served alongside pav, bread that’s heated on a pan and cloaked in butter. And as amusing as it watching the food be prepared (the whole thing is mesmerizingly mashed and mixed over a gigantic cast-iron skillet), housing it down brings even more pleasure. Once it's served, squeeze some lemon atop the whole shebang and go for the dip-and-scoop method.

For the carnivores out there, there’s kheema pav. The main attraction here is a heaping helping of minced meat that's cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, chilies, and other spices. Similar to pav bhaji, this snack is served alongside accoutrements like lemon, onions, pickle, and of course, bread to mop it all up.