Chit Chaat Brings Old Delhi Street Flavours to Bangkok

Is there anything better than a great plate of chaat or pani puri that can transport you to the vivacious, albeit sometimes dusty, streets of Delhi?

Indian street food has the unique quality of being sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once.

There is an unparalleled experience of parking your car on a busy residential street, left (of course) in neutral so it can be adjusted here or there for similar flavour-seekers, walking through busy streets, dodging cars and scooters who make their own traffic rules, and standing right by the boiling fryer at some renowned eatery or the other while the owner barks orders and exchanges friendly banter with his regular customers.

As you can probably tell, this environment is difficult to distill.

Chit Chaat, a recently refreshed concept where ‘Patiala Peg’ once stood, throws its hat into the ring and promises hearty flavours and unique fusion twists on street food classics, bringing the alleys of Old Delhi to Bangkok.

Crowd: Much like the varied clientele of beloved dhabas and street food meccas, Chit Chaat is perfect for foodies of any age.

Coming for drinks and a few small bites? Take a seat at their bar.

Intimate corners and booths are perfect for couples.

For larger groups or families, tables can be joined together to fit your party of any size.

If you’re looking to celebrate, the private room provides a modicum of quiet away from the rest of the diners.

Space: Bathed in warm tones from the terracotta brick to the peacock blue tiles, Chit Chaat’s interiors are a cheeky nod to the vibrancy of Indian vistas.

Little details like the hand-painted signs on bar shelves and the hanging garlands of namkeen packets remind us of the quaint shops lining any city in India.

The pièce de résistance is the neon orange sign proclaiming belly full, heart full in Hindi, urging patrons to indulge to their heart’s content.

You’ve never had pani puri like this!

The Tuna pani puri (THB 290) arrived at our table in a large, shallow bowl filled with mung bean seeds.

With three kinds of pani to choose from (mint, tamarind, and passionfruit), this proved a clever way to pour the pani into the tuna tartare-stuffed puri and avoid any sort of spillage.

Do try the passionfruit pani for a sharp kick!

Aunty’s shiso chaat (THB 225) serves a crowd-pleasing chaat on a crispy shiso leaf, and the crunch is addictive enough to reach for seconds, maybe even thirds.

Closing out the appetisers were the Tandoori prawns (THB 895).

These large prawns are soft and fragrant and quick to disappear, so snag one before someone else at the table does!

What’s a meal without tipples?

We were lucky enough to sample two of Chit Chaat’s signature cocktails: Ticket master (THB 300) and Tiffin box (THB 300).

The former was a smooth whiskey cocktail, fragrant and long-lasting, while the Tiffin box, much like the layers of a tiffin, was a concoction of vodka, house-made ginger beer, and fresh lime and mango juice with cumin powder—the perfect, refreshing pick-me-up as we stepped into our mains.

The beauty of mains is how it encourages sharing.

First up was the incredibly impressive Leg of lamb (THB 980).

Resting upon a cast-iron sizzling platter, this slow-roasted lamb is tender and juicy with just the right note of spices.

Continuing our journey with lamb came the Mutton nihari (THB 575).

Warm and comforting, this stew made me want to curl up in some blankets while a snowstorm rages outside.

(Since we’re in Bangkok, I’ll settle for an AC on full blast.)

The nihari was complemented by the Tandoor croissant (THB 130), a unique spin on the traditional tandoori naan.

This bread is flaky, layered, and slightly smoky thanks to its time in the tandoor.

Like the pastry it emulates, this tandoor croissant does not lag behind in the snap and crackle of the titular croissant.

No meal is ever complete without dessert, and the subcontinent does it so well.

The Gulab jamun (THB 255) combines familiar favourites with the savoury texture of the salted caramel ice cream.

The result was so decadent that I am considering ditching chashni altogether for a tub of ice cream.

The beloved Rasmalai (THB 220) was as soft and chewy as ever, presented in a darling little pot painted in a matte pink.

Broadening our horizons to fusion cuisine was the Palak paneer lasagna (THB 380).

Spinach and paneer layered atop one another in neat slices with melted cheese on top, slowly dripping down the structure, and a tomato puree base, this dish is both playful and rich.

Get it while it’s hot, dig your knife through its layers, and savour every single bite.

Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?

Chit Chaat
Oakwood Residence
15 Sukhumvit 24 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei
Bangkok 10110

Open daily: 12PM to 12AM | Tel: +66 (0)93-608-6623
Instagram: @chitchaatbkk | Facebook: @chitchaatbkk
Email: rm@chitchaatbkk.com