Palak Patta Chaat: The Crispy Crown Jewel of Indian Street Food

There is a lot of street food in India that exemplifies a colorful and chaotic essence which is the representation of the indian streets quite like Palak Patta Chaat. This delightful snack consists of crispy spinach leaves come’s with tangy, spicy and sweet flavours. At Temple Street, we are honour this iconic item as the jewel of street food, and putting a taste of India on your plate. 

In this blog, we will learn about Palak Patta Chaat and delve into its origins and preparation, as well as why it continues to enamour fast food lovers alike.

Why You’ll Love Palak Patta Chaat

Palak Patta Chaat is much more than a dish it is an experience. The title alone details the nature and main contents of the dish, palak (spinach) and patta (leaf). The leaves of spinach are shaped into fajitas which are deep-fried until crispy golden brown to act as a base for chutneys, spices and toppings. The end result is a crunchy, fresh, spicy, vibrant dish.

Things that make this dish so special, and what goes to the heart of any chaat is the harmony of textures and flavors. A delicious chaat needs crunch, softness, fresh ingredients and spices. In the case of Palak Patta Chaat, you’ll get the crunch from the fried spinach leaves. As you bite your teeth sink into the cold, creamy yogurt, and the tamarind chutney, you’ll experience the contrast of creamy, tangy and delicious flavor with textural crunch. With the addition of spices like chaat masala, the bright flavors of a beautiful green chutney, a sprinkle of sev and finish with fresh coriander, you have one dish that is wholesome to eat and looks to display.

A look into its beginnings

Palak Patta Chaat has its origins in the illustrious world of Indian street food and its abundantly talented street vendors who have an uncanny ability to mix and match two or more mundane ingredients and create a gastronomic marvel. It's impossible to definitively state when or where this dish was first introduced, but it is common knowledge that North India, especially Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, is home to chaat, and is widely respected for its paltry offerings. The use of spinach leaves is certainly a great idea, probably devised out of necessity or perhaps the need for a healthier, quicker fast food option.

At Temple Street, we take our notes from these street-side innovators and want to make sure you experience a piece of Palak Patta Chaat that successfully gifts tribute to its origin.  Our chefs pay close and detailed attention to selecting freshly harvested spinach leaves that have to be "slightly cooked" but firm to resist and hold topping weight. This attention to detail makes our version of this Indian street food a lot of people's favorite!

Crafting the Perfect Palak Patta Chaat

Making Palak Patta Chaat is a skill itself, and at Temple Street, we have got it down to a fine art. 

1. The Spinach: The spinach leaves are washed and dried properly because we want the leaves to crisp when fried. These washed leaves will be dipped in a light batter of gram flour, rice flour, and a few spices such as turmeric, red chili powder, and cumin so that all these spices shine through but they will not dominate the natural vegetable flavor of the spinach itself. 
2. Frying: The spinach leaves coated in the chickpea flour batter are deep-fried until golden and crispy. Frying must be done quickly so that the spinach leaves do not change color or become greasy. This is an important step to achieve the textural element that makes the palak patta chaat so crunchy.

3. Toppings: After plating the fried spinach, the toppings get added. Cool yogurt adds creaminess, tamarind chutney supplies sweetness and tang, green chutney provides spice, and then you dust with a chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, and red chili powder. Each component elevates the palak patta chaat to the next level, as does all great Indian street food.
4. Final Touches: No palak patta chaat is complete without adding a garnish of sev, pomegranate seeds, and chopped coriander for additional crunch, colour and freshness. With these finishing touches it makes it just as pleasing for the eye as mouth.

The result is a plate of palak patta chaat that's crispy, creamy, tangy, hot, and sweet all at the same time. It's a true tribute to the myriad of flavours in Indian street food.

The Temple Street version of Palak Patta Chaat

At Temple Street, we see Indian street food as not just food, but an extension of the culture, community, and creatives! Our Palak Patta Chaat is made with the freshest ingredients and tried and tested processes to maximise taste. We want each bite to take you to the heart of India, where street food was born. Whether this is your first experience of street food, or it is have enjoyed this type of food 100's of times before, we assure you the taste will be explosive and leave you wanting more.

We offer options to modify the Palak Patta Chaat, for those who want to add additional spice, we can do that with a splash of extra green chutney or a sprinkle of chili powder. If you want to take away some of the thickness, we can lessen the yogurt to make room for the other two chutneys. However you want it, we are excited to help you enjoy your Palak Patta Chaat as you envision it.

Pairing Recommendations

You can even have a drink to accompany your Palak Patta Chaat! A cool glass of masala chai or a fresh nimbu pani (lemonade) will enhance the rich flavors of this Indian street food. If you're ordering from Temple Street, we also have drinks and sides that would complement your dish well if you're looking to complete a fast-food feast. 

Do Come to Temple Street for the Experience

If you're ready to try a crispy, flavorful dish, be sure to visit us at Temple Street for your Palak Patta Chaat experience! Our team loves to offer you an amazing experience and show you a good time while showcasing the bold flavors of India's streets. We are ready to share our love for Palak Patta Chaat!

Conclusion

Palak Patta Chaat is more than simply a snack, it’s a tribute to the bold, vibrant and diverse flavors of Indian street food and its taste explosion. Crunchy spinach leaves, zesty toppings and the perfect combination of sweet, spicy and tangy all come together to create this dish, which is no wonder this dish is so popular for fast food lovers! Here at Temple Street, we love serving this iconic dish while being authentic and passionate about its preparation, ensuring every bite captures the magic of the streets of India. So, the next time you crave a taste of heaven, come to Temple Street and allow Palak Patta Chaat to capture your heart.