Bhel puri to banta: Your guide to DU’s food addas

For a North Campus student, hanging out at the campus does not just mean going to swanky cafes in Hudson Lane or Kamla Nagar. North Campus, which is home to almost all the top colleges of DU, also houses affordable eateries serving tasty food. The variety is mind-blowing – students can choose from multiple thelas and local food joints there, serving aloo wale chhole bhature to bhel puri to banta.Sipping on banta on a hot day after attending classes, or savouring chatpati bhel puri while discussing lessons – nothing can beat these experiences. These thelas and stalls have been on the campus for many years and celebrities have also visited and eaten at these joints. And the students agree that eating at these campus addas is one of the best ways to enjoy college life.
FUKREYS ON A FOOD TRAIL: Manjot Singh, Richa Chadha, Varun Sharma and Pulkit Samrat at Tom Uncle Maggi Point during Fukrey Returns promotions
Have your maggi here: Tom Uncle's maggi point
Tom Uncle Maggi Point near Ramjas College has been there since 1978. The kiosk, which was initially set up near SGTB Khalsa College, sees hundreds of students savouring manchurian, cheese, masala and about 50 other varieties of Maggi. Simran Kapoor, a recent graduate from Miranda House, tells us, “I love this food joint because I am from Mussoorie and the Maggi here makes me miss my hometown a little less. Plus, it is affordable and has a great taste.” Sonali, a third-year-student of Ramjas College, adds, “This place is synonymous with noodles in campus. Students not just from the campus, but from off-campus colleges too, come here to have different kinds of Maggi.”
Aishwarya Sakhuja went back to her alma mater Hindu College with us in January and visited the famous bhel puri wallah outside the college
Savour this tangy snack: Bhel Puri outside Hindu College
The bhel puri wale bhaiyya outside Hindu College has been in North Campus for the past 28 years. Mohan Lal, who owns the stall, tells us, “People come from different places to have my bhel puri. I sell it for Rs30 and after college or in between classes, students love to come here. Hindu College se bahut sare famous log graduate hue hain, woh ab bhi aake milte hain. Humare liye toh sab bachche hi hain.”
Mimanshi Sethi, a recent graduate from Hindu College, adds, “His bhel puri is amazing. I have taken my outstation friends to this place and they have loved it. He serves the tangiest, most mouth-watering bhel puri in the whole campus.”

The best chhole kulche on campus?: Tara Chand ke chhole kulche opposite SRCC
A small stall near the Faculty of Arts opposite SRCC, sells, in the students’ words, the “best chhole kulche on campus”. You get a plate for Rs30 and students say that one plate is enough to get their tummies full. Tara Chand, owner of the stall, tells us, “I have had my stall here for the past 30 years and students from SRCC and Arts Faculty and even the alumni from different colleges visit us. Bachche toh kitni baar udhaar pe bhi chhole kulche le jate hain; par sab yahi padhte hain toh humein bhi koi tension nahi hoti.”
Poonam Singh, a second-year student of Daulat Ram College, says, “This place is at a walking distance from our college and after classes, we usually come here to eat. Though we also have the option of eating at Hudson Lane, but Rs30 mein paet bharke chhole kulche mil jayein toh kya bura hai?”

For chai pe charcha at sudama tea stall near Ramjas College
Chai pe charcha takes place at different stalls in DU. Between classes or after college, sipping on a cup of tea while having discussions is a common sight at tea stalls in DU. This tea stall has been in North Campus for many years and students from different batches have had their favourite cuppa here. “Sudama chai wallah is my go-to tea stall. I love chilling out here after I’m done with my studies and other college activities. It is away from the commotion of PGs in the North Campus and takes your mind off your college assignments. And not just the tea stall, students love the area as well – it’s calm and has a friendly vibe,” says Vanshika Deswal, a final year student of Hans Raj College.

Aloo wale chhole bhature anyone?: Chache Di Hatti at Kamla Nagar
We’ve heard about this place from almost everyone who has studied at North Campus. One just cannot miss chacha ke bhature if they are in North Campus. Not just students, but local residents too, wait in long queues to get their plate of chhole bhature. This small shop in Kamla Nagar is a favourite among students because of its famous aloo wale chhole bhature. Vasant Kumar, a third-year student of Kirori Mal College, says, “I live in a PG and nothing equals having chhole bhature at this place for breakfast. For Rs50, puri plate milti hai aur paet bhar jata hai. I was told about this shop by one of our professors. She had said, ‘Thoda bahar jao, campus ghum ke aao, chacha ke bhature khao.’ And trust me, this is the best place in the campus to have chhole bhature.”