Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 18:16 IST
A German traveller took to his social media to express how he regretted trying a famous and loved street food in India. He also issued a warning after he got diarrhea.
Welder’s warning sparked debate on social media about street food hygiene in India.
When you are travelling in India for the first time, there are a few bucket list experiences that come highly recommended, and trying street foods is one of them. Like any other tourist, Alexander Welder, a solo German traveller, came to India and experienced all the things on his bucket list. However, one of his vlogs went viral on social media after the German traveller issued a warning against India’s iconic street food, Gol Gappe, known as Pani Puri or Phuchka across the country.
In a candid Instagram post, a welder shared his experience after eating Pani Puri, which was met with extreme criticism. He wrote, “Disclaimer: I love Indian food, and it’s important to know that there are plenty of great restaurants with good hygiene standards for affordable prices. Street food is something you can totally skip on your India trip and still have amazing quality meals in restaurants that are still super affordable.”
He further went on to write, “It’s also well known that Indian street food doesn’t really have a good standing in the world. I did try a couple of things, though, which were actually incredible. If you do thorough research and go to some reputable stalls, then most likely you should be fine.”
However, it was Welder’s opinion about pani puri that grabbed attention. “But there’s one food that I would definitely warn you not to try on the streets, and that’s definitely pani puri. Even an Indian friend of mine, who works as a doctor, told me he has never eaten pani puri on the streets in years!” Welder shared, explaining that he suffered terrible food poisoning for ten days after eating Pani Puri for three days straight.
There is no doubt why that his take on pani puris caused a stir on social media. From Delhi’s Chandni Chowk to the beaches of Mumbai’s Chowpatty and the bustling streets of Kolkata, pani puri or phuchka vendors are an integral part of India’s street food culture. The burst of spicy and sweet flavours served in crispy puris with a generous amount of tangy tamarind chutney captures a special place in every Indian’s heart. Soon after Welder’s video went viral, some Indians and travel vloggers pointed out that the issue was not pani puris but the place where he tried them.
One user commented, “The video you posted is quite misleading. Even an average Indian wouldn’t choose to eat at such places. There are plenty of hygienic Pani Puri stalls that use RO-filtered water and serve with gloves. I’m sure you could afford to eat at better, cleaner places, but they don’t bring the eyeballs or views.” Another user wrote, “It’s not just a food; it’s an emotion…so next time please don’t spread anything wrong. It’s your mistake that you had it at a wrong place; not every Pani Puri is bad.”
Despite the warning, people insisted that trying pani puri on a busy street from a trusted vendor is one of the most authentic culinary adventures one can have.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
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