

Actor and former model Sidharth Malhotra thinks Delhi is India’s ultimate food city and wants his hypothetical meal to feature puri, chana and halwa. Malhotra, who is Tourism New Zealand’s brand ambassador, spoke to the IndianExpress.com about his mom’s cooking, his diet and his sweet tooth.
What’s your earliest food memory?
As a kid, I remember my mother always experimenting with bizarre combinations of food such as gulab jamun and pickle! Surprisingly, many years down the line, I have adapted the same.
What does your mom cook really well?
My mother is an excellent cook, and I enjoy my meal every time she makes one. I miss home-cooked meals when I am travelling for shoots. She makes really good Achari Mutton and Mutton Biryani.
How often do you cook?
When I had just come down to Mumbai and didn’t have any movies in hand, I used to stay on my own. I managed my own kitchen and used to cook a lot, but that was more of boiled food and basic cooking. Today, I would love to learn more and have people over to taste my cooking.
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You went on vegetarian diet last year in order to lose weight for a movie. Is it an effective way to keep weight in check?
Yes, vegetarian food, in my opinion, is a lot more healthy, and it takes less time to digest. If you are the kind who has an active lifestyle and are not hell bent on looking all buffed up, I’d think a vegetarian diet is the way to go.
What’s your breakfast like?
These days, it’s mostly eggs and sweet potatoes.
What are your favourite restaurants?
I enjoy eating Italian and Japanese cuisine, and abroad I love Zuma, Nobu and Cipriani.
This is a hypothetical question: If you were to die tomorrow, what would you have for dinner today?
Puri, halwa and chana.

What do you binge on?
Sweets and dark chocolate. Actually, on my cheat days, I eat just about anything and everything.
What kind of street food do you like, and where do you usually have it?
Growing up in Delhi we had a lot of chaat — Gol Gappa, Raj Kachori, Aloo Tikki and Chana Puri. We used to frequent Haldiram and Bengal Sweet Centre in South Extension.
Which, according to you, is the best city for food in India?
Nothing beats Delhi when it comes to food. It has some fantastic restaurants and street-food joints.
What will we always find in your fridge?
Dark chocolate, eggs and gluten free bread.
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