We Tried The Legendary & Super Spicy Lotan Ke Chole Kulche In Old Delhi For Just 40 Bucks A Plate

If you think, your taste buds can handle the spiciest street food in Delhi, topped and mixed with green and red chilies both *quite naturally*, you cannot miss this gem in town! Lotan Ke Chole Kulche, known as the spiciest Chole Kulche in town, has been serving its loyal customers since ages now. 

It's his family business that his father started and now been passed onto him and how! 

Situated near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station, this man goes by the name – Mahaveer and opens shop as early as 7:30 AM and has to shut it by 10 AM, you ask why? Simply because there's nothing left to serve after that on account of being sold out! 

Everyone, especially those in nearby localities, visit him every morning, to taste his magic. He doesn’t add or mix anything drastically different as such from regular Chole Kulche wallas, yet he is the most popular across Delhi. 

He doesn’t own a big shop or even a single room for his servings as he sits on a pedestal, in a narrow street of Chawri Bazaar, and serves this dish till stock lasts (usually 10 AM). 

Priced at just 40 bucks, the plates are sold in bulk and almost every individual gets their utensils from home to get it packed for other members of the family. 

What His Daily Routine Looks Like

He wakes up around 4 AM, washes his utensils and prepares the ingredients (vegetables and masalas etc.) by 6:30 AM and adds the former to the Chole and the latter to water and sets everything in its place by 7 AM!

The Method Behind The Madness 

The size of his utensils are bigger than usual, which is he's able to feed several individuals at once and the water he prepares is actually poured by this man called Bali, in intervals so that the Chole don't go dry. There are around four buckets, a liter each, filled with that water and kept in stock, and Bali is asked to pour down a bucket, in two installments, every time the Chole starts to get dry. 

Can You Handle It?

If you think you cannot handle the level of spice in the dish, for your convenience, he has introduced 3 levels of spiciness – Low, Medium and High! In the low level, he doesn’t mix the red syrup but just the spice mixed with the chole, served with the kulche. In the medium level, he has a little control over his hand, while mixing the spice syrup and mixes it skilfully to relinquish the spice in short spurts of bites.

And lastly, the high level which he is most famous for, is the spiciest and the specialty of Lotan Ke Chole Kulche. He scoops one whole spoon of the spicy syrup over the bowl of Chole and mixes it thoroughly, while pouring a bit of the syrup again, over the mixed platter. It definitely sets the dish on fire! We witnessed people sweating and turning red in the face while still enjoying the dish. 

Also note, the water mixed with chole is also served in separate glasses/cups for a mere added amount of Rs. 10. 

Words Of Wisdom

If you're confused about the directions, don't go as per other shopkeepers and rickshaw wallas as they can be misleading, one of them even told us that Mahaveer sits at 10 AM and not 7:30 AM, but then Google Maps rescued us! With such popularity across the city, thankfully Google maps has him located on it which is what you should follow and experience the tastiest Chole Kulche Walla in town! 

You can also find him at Delhi's big fat weddings besides various corporate events but the real charm lies in visiting him in the snaking lanes of Old Delhi. 

Mahaveer Bhai and Bali Bhai seem to have huge fan base which definitely includes us now! 

Exact Address |
The Early Bird Catches The Worm | 7:30 AM - 10 AM