Chawri Bazar: Omi Kachori Wale’s Rs 35 Sunday plate

Rajesh and Manish Bhargava begin serving Sunday customers at Omi Kachori Wale in Gali Hakim Baqa, Chawri Bazar, after sending the first batch of kachoris to the nearby Chaumukha temple.

Their granduncle Om Prakash, known as Omi, started the family business in 1950, selling kachoris during the day and pakodis in the evening. Rajesh, 45, now runs the operation with his elder brother Manish. The family’s first-floor tea stall operates on market days and supplies chai to about 150 shops.

Rajesh says preparation begins on Saturday evening with 50 kg of potatoes. At 4 am on Sunday, the brothers boil the potatoes with spices for the sabzi. The recipe uses no onion, garlic or tomatoes, he says; its spice mix includes cumin, coriander, red and yellow chillies, hing, hand-pounded turmeric and garam masala.

Diners can choose aloo kachoris, dal kachoris or one of each. The dal kachori is fried twice and the aloo version once. A plate of two kachoris with sabzi costs Rs 35; dahi is available for children and diners who prefer less spice.