New Delhi — When a Korean travel vlogger ditches avocado toast and matcha lattes for piping hot Nihari at 4:30 AM in Old Delhi, you know something oddly magical has happened. The video is going viral, the Nihari joint is seeing a mini stampede, and everyone from Saket influencers to Rajouri Garden aunties is suddenly pretending they knew about this spot all along.
The Seoul-Delhi Connection That Starts With Nihari
In a video that now has lakhs of views on YouTube and Instagram, Korean food vlogger Seung-wook (a.k.a. SeoulWalker) recently took his audience on a sunrise food crawl through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi. Starting at the break of dawn—read: before even the autos start negotiating fares—he wandered into Matia Mahal, near Jama Masjid, where the legendary Nihari joints like Kallu Nihari and Haji Shabrati already had smoky kadhais bubbling with beef, spices, and an extra scoop of desi ghee.
From Nihari to fluffy kulchas, from jalebis fried right in front of you to kulhad chai stewing on coal—Seung-wook savoured it all with the kind of expression that made Dilliwalas feel extremely seen. He ended his walk with a heap of golden jalebis from Dariba Kalan, watching the old city wake up as the azaan echoed through the alleys. And yes, he documented every crispy bite and spice-induced eye flutter for his followers.
Why This May Just Change Your Sunday Plans
Here’s the thing—Old Delhi has always been the culinary heart of the city, but this post-COVID resurgence of pre-dawn food walks is new. And SeoulWalker has done what many Delhi vloggers haven’t—put Old Delhi’s sunrise eats on an international map. When an IT professional in Cyber Hub sees this over the weekend, he may just trade his beer-and-burger night for a 4 AM Nihari run. The ripple effects are real—eateries that typically catered to locals and namazi crowds are now prepping for Insta tourists and expats. And yes, prices are inching up. A Nihari plate that was ₹80 not too long ago is now nudging ₹120, with kulchas extra.
Even students from DU’s North Campus are hopping on the Metro early, video-clicking not just their food but also their bleary-eyed grins. Add to that the rising trend of content-driven tourism in Delhi—this might just birth a new genre: “Sunrise Food Tours.” Expect waitlists by 5AM next Sunday.
Did Anthony Bourdain Light This Fire?
This isn’t the first time Old Delhi has flirted with global fame. Anthony Bourdain dropped by Karim’s once, and Gordon Ramsay tried and failed to replicate butter chicken post his visit. “Food walks” have existed here forever, but usually post-10 AM. What Seung-wook has done differently is bring attention to the faith-tied food ecosystem that gears up before sunrise, especially during Ramzan or Eid mornings. Nihari itself is a dish with roots dating back to Mughal times—reportedly favored by soldiers as a power breakfast post Fajr prayers. The joint Kallu Nihari opened over 75 years ago and has, without any signage or branding, slayed the hearts (and stomachs) of generations.
📍 Spot Check: Exit Gate 3 of Jama Masjid Metro Station lands you right into the action. Shops like Kallu Nihari and Haji Shabrati are a 5-minute walk down Matia Mahal Road. For jalebis, head toward Dariba Kalan near Chandni Chowk. Pro tip: Get there by 4:45 AM if you want a seat.
The Final Word
Honestly, it’s a ‘Yay’ from us. Not just because SeoulWalker nailed the spice levels but because it’s rare to see Old Delhi presented without the usual tourist-y filter. No exoticization, no cringe commentary. Just real food, real sweat, and the kind of experience that’ll make even your posh Saket friend admit they don’t know Delhi half as well as they thought.
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