Golgappe : 4 Pieces in Rs.20/- 4 Pieces in $ 20

This is an old incident. I had a friend from US James and he always insisted on having street food when he is in India. As promised, I took him to Sarojini Nagar market in Delhi. He saw many eating Golgappe.

After having some street food like aloo-kachori, friend potato and bhelpuri, he insisted on having Golgappe also, but he didn't know what to ask for. I told him, this street foot is called ‘Golgappe”. The Golgappe eaten in India daily are more than the US population.

Un-able to understand Golgappe, he wanted me to explain him in English. Thus came help from Lord Google – it said – "Indian Watery Ball that has prefilled potato and other ingredients and some chutney.” He nodded his head as if he understood but I knew he didn’t.

Then I explained him how Golgappe is to be eaten. I told him that the size of your mouth will open automatically as per the size of Golgappa. He will serve you one by one, but if you are slow in eating, you are lucky to have two in your plate at a time, and one still in the mouth. There are two variants but you enjoy the one that is available !! Generally, before serving, the Lordship Golgappe Wala Bhaiya will stir the water so that it is properly mixed. He would also clean the Chutney spread across and check the curd. Then he will clean his hand from a cloth (used for cleaning other ingredients). After all that is done, if we carry some respect, Golgappe Wala might wear gloves, or else..... Then quickly he will ask - Normal - Medium - Spicy - and you have 3 seconds to respond.

But while this protocol is being followed, the people standing and waiting generally loose patience and start reasoning the delay.

Finally, the Golgappe Wala starts disseminating Golgappe. Alas, begins the journey of Golgappe into your mouth to the intestine and back to the tongue and brain. A cold wave of spicy water fills all your craving hunger. But, ironically, you still feel hungry after eating few. So you ask the Golgappe Wala to continue.

Before James could ask another question, I gave him a plate and told the Golgappe Wale Bhaiya – “Bhaiya aaj is angrez ko mirchi lagni chahiye.. ekdum Teeeekha..” And rest is the history.

After harrowing experience my friend next asked me how is Pani-Puri different from Golgappe. Even the best of interviews in UPSC must have never touched this sensitive question. Well, I tried replying him - “Puchkas contains boiled gram, mashed potatoes, tangy chutney and spicy water as the filling. Pani-Puri typically has the white peas curry filled in the tamarind chutney that goes inside. Golgappe, the 3rd variant, has a mix of potatoes, chickpea, tangy & sweet water, mint and spices as the filling." At least I could not understand what I was explaining, but he still nodded his head.

My friend left India soon and never insisted on street food again, and never returned to India as well. But today he called me after long and showed his interest in India again. He now wants to do small business of Golgappe in US, and he knows the variety being served in India. India price : 4 pieces for Rs. 20/-. US Price : 4 pieces for $20.