Bradford’s Darley Street Market came alive on Wednesday, 27 August, as Asian Standard joined local traders for a special pop-up, and the energy was nothing short of electric.
For just £30, the booking process for a pop-up stall was quick and simple, and the market team welcomed us with warmth and support. Traders, readers, and curious shoppers alike flocked to our stall, where we teamed up with Heera Foods to serve up Heera Gol Gappe, also known as pani puri, a much-loved South Asian street food delicacy.
What astonished us most was how many local Indians and Pakistanis had never tried Heera Gol Gappe before. Watching their first reactions from delighted surprise to scrunched-up faces at the tangy tamarind water was a highlight of the day. Others, already familiar with the treat, couldn’t get enough. Comparisons even flew in from beyond South Asia, with one visitor likening the flavours to Italian snacks.
Heera Gol Gappe are crispy hollow shells made from semolina and flour, stuffed with spiced potato and chickpeas, then filled with flavoured water from tangy tamarind (imli pani) to hot and spicy or refreshing mint. Yesterday, people sampled them all, with many falling in love instantly.
Of course, no pop-up would be complete without some friendly competition. The Heera Gol Gappa Challenge drew big crowds, with the day’s record set at 12 Heera Gol Gappe in 60 seconds. While impressive, it fell just short of the all-time record of 17, achieved last month at the Food & Lifestyle Mela in Lister Park.
We also staged a lively face-off between Rahil Jameel, our social media and marketing Assistant at Asian Standard, and Noor from BD2025. Rahil may have clinched the win, but as the gracious hosts we’re known to be, we passed down the victory to Noor to roaring cheers. Rahil also hosted a friendly rivalry between friends, where the loser of the Heera Gol Gappa battle had to buy food for the winner – a challenge that got plenty of laughs from the crowd.
A special shout-out goes to our youngest competitor, Anas, aged 11, who managed 7 Heera Gol Gappe, proving age is no barrier to having fun with street food.
Meeting Our Readers
The real joy of the day was meeting our readers face to face. One of them, Sadie, shared her love for our paper while browsing stalls for socks. She proudly showed off her quirky taste in white socks with cartoon bows and said she’s “a child at heart” who happily still fits into kids’ sizes.
We also spoke to Atif, a Muslim author writing about spirituality and even fiction exploring the hereafter. Both he and Sadie left us with a message that resonated: be kind and spread peace.
We also met people with stories of their own South Asian connections. One man told us he “really wants to go to Goa” after tasting Heera Gol Gappe, while a woman who had already visited India seven times was thrilled to relive the flavours she remembered.
A Gujarati lady proudly told us she “loves Gol Gappa” and shared a warm exchange in Gujarati with our editor, Fatima Patel, who is also Gujarati, a moment that captured the community spirit of the day perfectly.
Julie from FoodSavers deserves a special thank you for guiding us through the day, while other traders from Solly’s Fruit & Vegetables to Olive Branch and Pop Specs all took a moment out of their busy schedules to join the fun and sample our Heera Gol Gappe. One gentleman even travelled especially to Darley Street to meet Asian Standard, a gesture that touched our team deeply.
What’s Next?
Darley Street Market continues to grow as a hub of food, culture, and community in Bradford, and yesterday was proof of the warm spirit the city is known for. For us at Asian Standard, it was also the perfect chance to share exciting news:
This Sunday, we’re bringing back Threads of Grace: Power of You, our much-anticipated fashion show at Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, from 6–8 pm. The event was sadly rained off last month, but due to popular demand, it’s back bigger and better, thanks to our incredible sponsors, including My Skyn Clinic, Prashad Restaurant, International Restaurant, Akbars, Kiplings, Milson Solicitors, Fever FM, Radio Leeds, Lala’s, and First Bus.
Tickets are just £10 on Eventbrite, with 15% of proceeds going to Ovacome and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
Bradford showed its spirit at Darley Street Market; now we can’t wait to see it shine again at Threads of Grace this weekend.
