Street-side Cookies
Many things are reminiscent of the British Raj, and one of them is a desi biscuit. Nan Khatai, the delicious biscuit that melts in your mouth, is not something that you can find easily on the streets of Delhi anymore. But the cookie still has many loyal takers who love them freshly baked and hot. If you’re looking for that typical flavour that has come down the ages, all you need to do is take a walk on the streets of the city.
“I still have memories of my grandfather making nan khatais for us. In Delhi you don’t easily find them anymore. However, if you look around in pavements, especially in Old Delhi alleys, you’re sure to find a few vendors selling delicious hot nan khatais there,” says designer Nida Mahmood.
This crumbly, buttery Scottish shortbread laced with cardamom, is also believed to be a legacy of early Dutch settlers in Surat who introduced bakeries to the town. However, over the years, the number of takers reduced, and so did the vendors. But those who had regular customers carried on the trade. Lohit Kumar, a student from Delhi University, loves the nan khatais available in Moti Nagar market. “There’s a man who has been selling nan khatai in Moti Nagar since ages. I remember having these whenever I would go to the market with mom. I still love them and surprisingly, the taste is just the same as 7 years back,” he shares.
Some prefer the bakery version, but most prefer to pick them from the streetside vendors. “On my way to Laxmi Nagar, I often stop by a few nan khatai walas. You can spot them on your way from ITO towards Preet Vihar. If you really want to enjoy original nan khatai flavour, don’t buy what the bakeries sell in the name of nan khatais. Enjoy them from the streets,” says Vijay, a government employee.
And if you can’t find them there, the area close to the Chawri Bazar Metro station towards Nayi Sadak also has a few vendors who tell us how the taste of nan khatai hasn’t changed, and there are people who still love to savour it from the streets, fresh and hot!
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