Southall-India in London

What I love about London is that you can get anywhere by train- Chinatown, Soho, Big Ben, Hyde Park and even as far as India. In Southall, known as little India, saris are worn, chapattis are eaten and the official language is Hindi.

Hairdressers double as mendhi artist and eyebrows are shaped using nothing but a piece of string. Some say that Istanbul is the city that merges East and West, I disagree, it’s most definitely in London.

“Southhall is the hygienic version of India” my friend Naseem commented.  This was a good thing as streets vendors were conveniently located everywhere and we did not hesitate to try them all.

Iraqis make a similar fried dessert

Bhel Puri-It was delicious but I don't know what it is

Some of the street foods I did not recognize and most embarrassingly didn’t even know how to eat.

Bottom right-panipuri for advanced eaters only, bottom left- chickpeas

Panipuri, for example, should be popped in your mouth in its entirety; otherwise it will dribble down your chin and all over the sidewalk. They were delicious little morsels and I would have ordered more if I didn’t have spectators. Magic corn, a strange invention of corn kernels topped with curry and processed cheese was especially popular in the neighborhood. Those I can do without.

Making a show of shaking the Magic Corn

Wandering around the market, I felt like a botanist discovering new species of exotic fruits and vegetables that nobody had ever seen before. Nobody of course, except for everybody there. Naseem was my culinary guide who didn’t tire of my countless questions.

Bitter gourds and red peppers

Originally Persian, she was born and raised in India and has lived in America, Iran, Dubai and England. She is one of the few truly intercultural women I know. Naseem seemed completely at home in Southpark, talking to the merchants in Hindi or Urdu as if she were a long time resident, but like me it was her first visit.

Spice Village-Halal-No alcohol allowed

Later on that day we had lunch at a local Indian restaurant, one that Naseem found for us after asking around. We enjoyed a very flavorful meal heavy with curry and fenugreek and were all equally aromatic when we left the establishment.

Methi curry-with fresh fenugreek leavs

With the music emanating from the stalls, it’s impossible not to feel like an extra in a bollywood film. Southhall is the place to visit if you want to taste India without worrying about monsoons.