Neeraj Jain,  August 17, 2007

If Mumbai is synonymous with Bada Pao, then Delhi
is synonymous with Chole Kulche. You can find Chole Kulche in every nook and
corner of the city from morning to afternoon till 5 PM. Everyone likes to have
a bite at chole kulche; be it a beggar, a rickshaw puller, college girls, or a
man in a sedan. Many people sell Chole Kulche on hand carts. There, they cost
anywhere between Rs. 5 and 10. Nowadays, even sweet shops and big restaurants
are selling chole kulche.

Today, I got the opportunity to eat chole kulche during
lunch at my office canteen. Though I have eaten Chole Kulche countless times,
this one was a unique occasion because I had the freedom to take as many chole
and kulche as I like. I started with two kulche and three big spoons of chole.
The chole were sprinked with dhaniya and onion. I must say they were yummy, 5
out of 5. The kulche were equally good. A catering guy was heating them on a
big tava. I took two more kulches and once again I took three big spoons of
chole. I ate to my heart’s taste. I fully enjoyed my lunch. Bhalle papdis were
also there in the lunch, but I did not eat them in favor of chole kulche.

Some of you might like to know how chole kulche are made.
Well, chole is not chana, in fact it is matara. Matara is green in color. It
comes cheap. Matara is boiled in an elliptical yellow patila. When boiled, its
color changes to brown. When mixed with right amount of salt, pepper, lemon,
green chillies, dhaniya, and onions, it tastes great. You will relish the taste
of Matara forever. I have seen people arguing with the chole kulche wala guy
over Matara. Kulche are made from maida. You will not be able to make kulches
at your home. You can buy them from a bakery shop; even chole kulche sellers
source their kulchas from bakeries.

What has been your experience in eating chole kulche? Please
let the world know.