Handicrafts, entertainment, and some great food. And that too all under $30 (for 3 people)*. This is what is so great about places like Dilli Haat (and others like it in India). They are these cultural hubs that are super accessible for all and great way to promote culture and small businesses. Many times when people associate culture to an event, place, or object, it very often comes with a high price tag (I am not saying that art and culture aren't valuable but sometimes it becomes inaccessible and less appreciated since it is only open to such a small audience). 
*price depends on what you shop and eat for, this is what we generally spend there. Also, non-Indians may have to pay more.

My mom, brother, and I headed to Dilli Haat for a lit bit of shopping of authentic handicrafts but also to have some of the best food. Every state in India has it's own unique cultural identity and you can really explore that in one place at Dilli Haat. We did this through our meals there. 

If you go to Delhi and don't eat Aloo Tikki, I am not sure what you're doing. My mom ordered this aloo tikki and often, it can be too spicy. But this was perfect. It was flavorful but not too spicy and a pretty good portion size.

Chai in Kullad cup is a classic (from Jharkhand stall). The earthy smell of the pot enhances the aroma of the chai. Here is my home version recipe of Chai in Kullad cup.

Rabdi & Jalebi from Rajasthan stall. I am putting this last as I have never quite had jalebi as good as these ones. As I am writing this, I want to take a trip back to Dilli Haat just for these warm jalebis. Watch here its live preparation.

Although not pictured, my brother also ordered chicken tikka & mutton gaulati kebabs from the Uttar Pradesh/Jharkhand stall. Not only did he start eating them before I could take a photo, I could also not attest to their taste as I do not eat mutton and did not eat the chicken. But, if you do enjoy eating meat, those two are good options to choose from.

Oh and once your tummy is full, do check out the live performances as well as several Indian handicrafts stores. #supportsmall

Although I have a lot of food content I wanted to start posting on my blog, there is no better option than to start my food blog in Mumbai. Because this is where it all started for me. Quite literally because this is where I was born. Mumbai is India's largest city and is bustling unlike any other city in the world. It is said that on Mumbai's local train, the equivalent of Australia's population travels (don't know how true that is but I wouldn't be surprised if it is). So, by no means you can fully explore it in 24 hours. But...there are essentials you can cover. I have listed a few here. 

After a tiring 28 hours of travel, I finally reached Mumbai. Although I only had 24 hours, my jetlagged body made sure I was hungry enough to eat as much as I can. We stayed with our family friends and so we got to have a lot of home cooked food.

Although people often think of Indian food as super rich (because that is what Indian restaurants serve), at home our food is nutrient rich, vegetarian/vegan, and equally tasty (if not tastier). Here is methi ka paratha (bread made with gram flour, methi, curd). Three different curries - left to right - aloo mutter curry (potato and peas), daal (lentils), and bhindi ki sabzi (okra).

Ganne ka juice - sugarcane juice. My dad and I stopped by at the Jio World mall in Bandra Kurla Complex (newly opened). They made fresh sugarcane juice and packed it in this cute little bottle. It tasted the same as the ones on the street (but obviously costed more).

Now, I love making my own chocolate but Cadbury's chocolates have the nostalgia of childhood and an entire shrine dedicated to just various of their products. In India, Cadbury's sweets are a staple and often used on auspicious occasions ("muh meetha karne key liye"). My personal/childhood favorites have been Nutties (blended cashew nut and chocolate balls), the red boxes at the bottom.

Stopping outside the temple to buy the best chips - Lay's India Magic Masala

Although my trip was short so we did not get to have a lot of street food, I did have some warm jalebis made on the streetside. 

My last meal in Mumbai was quick because we had to leave to catch our flight. I met up with a good friend from NYC and we went to the posh Yauatcha in BKC again. Their dumplings were simply spectacular and presented spectacularly too! I have got to say, I have traveled a lot and lived all over but (maybe I am biased), you cannot have bland food in India. Every bite in this country is tasteful.

In conclusion - if you are on a time crunch here are the things to do in Mumbai:
1. Explore Bandra Kurla Complex for a more posh experience and world-class restaurants
2. Try some home cooked food. If you're a tourist and don't know any locals, there are plenty of shops that have home-style food/tiffin service
3. Have some street style sweets (they are available all over)
4. Have some Indian snacks like Dairy Milk Chocolate, India's Lays Magic Masala