Delhi's Foodie Spots Cook Tradition Amid Gas Shortage, Go Old-School with Coal

New Delhi — Forgotten essence of smoky aroma arising from tandoors using coal might soon become the most sought after experience in Delhi’s food joints, as the city grapples with a gas shortage. Isn’t this an intriguing mockery of progress?

From Blue Flame to Red Glow: City Eateries Turn Back Time

Our beloved city, Delhi, known for her appetising street food, is witnessing a peculiar sight— food joints, big and small, switching from cooking gas to coal. Due to a nationwide gas crisis, eateries in areas like Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place are resorting to old-school practices, using the age-old coal to cook. Believe it or not, this is not driven by a bid to reinvent retro cooking styles or rediscover forgotten recipes. It is the stark reality fluttering in the face of a growing gas shortage that has pushed these establishments to embrace the traditional fuel. Wood-fired ovens, coal stoves, these retro cooking setups are not a foodie trend, but a survival strategy.

Smoke Signals: How the Gas Crisis Affects Our Daily Lives

This gas crisis is indeed a bane for all – from students craving a quick bite at their favourite momo stalls near North Campus, office-goers grabbing their daily shawarmas in Gurgaon, to families planning weekend outings at eateries in Noida. Imagine the scenario this gas shortage is causing. Even the local chai vendor near Janpath metro station now uses a traditional ‘chulha’ to brew his famous masala tea. A shopkeeper, near Qutub Minar, reports that “the charm of slow-cooked sichuan has some tough competition with the smoky flavour our tandoor brings”

Reflecting on Past Fuel Fiascos

The current scenario brings back memories of Delhi’s previous gas crisis of 1989. Back then, the city’s resilience saw innovative adaptations including the use of kerosene and charcoal at homes. Just like then, Delhi has proven its adaptability once more and while the shift to coal presents its old charm, let’s not forget the bottlenecked resources that brought us here. The gas crisis emphasises the need for Delhiites to wake up to energy conservation and more sustainable alternatives.

Serving Practicality on a Platter: What You Can Do?

Support small eateries: These establishments are the backbone of our food scene. Stand by them during these challenging times.
Conserve energy: Remember, small steps go a long way. Avoid waste, use energy optimally, and encourage others to do so too.
Push for sustainable solutions: Advocate the need for renewable and sustainable energy resources.

📍 Spot Check: Chawri Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place are some of the hotspots experiencing the change.

The Final Word

As we see the old and the new blend uniquely in our city, the question arises – Should we view this temporary fossil fuel rewind as a nostalgic glimpse into the old ways or a wake-up call for a more sustainable future?