Chole Kulche

Chole Kulche

₹50-100 • VEG • North Indian
Medium
Best timeEvening
Prep time10-15 mins
Tagsmust-try, local-favorite, North-Indian-classic, street-special, spicy-tangy, heavy-snack, pocket-friendly, filling-meal, Delhi-style

About this food

Chole Kulche is a classic North Indian street combo—soft, slightly buttery kulche served with spicy, tangy chole (chickpeas). You’ll find it near markets, offices and coaching hubs, where people grab a plate for brunch, lunch or heavy evening snacks. It’s filling, flavourful and full of masala, making it a favourite across Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and many other regions.

History & Local Story

“Chole” simply means spiced chickpeas, while “kulcha” is a soft, leavened flatbread that traces its roots to North Indian and Mughlai kitchens. Over time, Punjabi-style chole met tandoor-baked kulcha, and street vendors turned it into an easy, ready-to-serve meal.

In cities like Delhi and Amritsar, chole kulche slowly evolved into a full-fledged street-food culture—sold from carts, small shops and outside schools or offices. Vendors created their own masala mixes, chutneys and toppings, so every stall tastes slightly different. Today, chole kulche is both a comfort food and a nostalgia dish for many North Indians and is commonly found in hill cities and plains alike.

What You’ll Taste

  • Soft, slightly chewy kulcha – lightly toasted on tawa with butter or oil
  • Spicy, tangy chole – boiled chickpeas cooked with onion, tomato and robust masala
  • Fresh toppings – diced onion, coriander, lemon juice, green chilli
  • Extras (depends on vendor) – imli chutney, green chutney, extra chaat masala or butter

Notes: Method: Boil chickpeas Pressure cook soaked chickpeas with salt, teabag/dried amla and enough water until soft (4–6 whistles depending on cooker). Discard teabag/amla; keep some cooking water for gravy. Make the masala base Heat oil in a pan. Add onions and sauté till golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilli; fry till raw smell goes. Add tomato and cook till oil starts separating. Add spices Add chole masala, red chilli, turmeric and roasted cumin. Cook 1–2 minutes on low flame so the masala roasts nicely. Combine with chickpeas Add boiled chickpeas along with some of the cooking water. Mix well and simmer 10–15 minutes, lightly mashing a few chickpeas to thicken the gravy. Adjust salt and sourness; add amchur or lemon juice at the end. Finish Garnish with chopped coriander and keep hot for serving.

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