Here is a list of things you should try when you visit Mumbai, just like I did.
1) Goan / Malvani cuisine: Goa, being just 600 kms away from Mumbai city, its influence is strongly felt in the food preferences of the people in Mumbai. From delectable seafood dishes to traditional desserts, Goan cuisine is rich in authenticity, taste and soul, even though constrained to a certain part of India only.
Where I tried: Goa Portuguesa
This restaurant is popular for its Goan and Portuguese food, along with a separate menu offering Chettinad cuisine from the South (India). Add to that good music, provided by their personal guitarist who drifts from one table to another, fulfilling everyone's song requests. This place is advertised as the best seafood restaurant in Mumbai and has several branches.
What we ate:
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| Sopa Goa Portuguesa: seafood soup, Goa Portuguesa style |
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| Bombay duck: No it's not a duck, it's fish, locally known as Bombil |
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| Prawn Rissois: scrumptious fried dumplings with prawn and molten cheese inside |
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| Appam with mutton malabar curry and Surmai fish masala |
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| Bebinca: Basically, Goan Christmas pudding |
Pocket Pinch : Rs. 1000/head
Verdict: 4.5/5
2) Parsi food: The Zoroastrian community, even though small in totality, have a huge neighborhood in Mumbai and their snacks and bakery products are extremely popular. Hailing from Iranian descendants, you will find them mastering the art of Persian style of baking and their bakeries around the city are quite flourishing.
Where I tried: Kyani and Co.
Established in 1904, it used to be the regular hangout place for famous Bollywood stars, Raj Kapoor being the most prominent one. Known for it cakes, biscuits and desserts and rightly so, the Mawa cake and Bun Maska are its most popular choices. When it comes to main course, I was not very impressed though.
What we ate:
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| Cold coffee with ice cream, nothing out of the ordinary |
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| Sali boti: Meat gravy garnished with Aloo bhujia |
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| Pulao with Dhansak (chicken cooked with vegetables in lentil gravy) |
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| Bun Maska and Keema Pulao (even though photographed together, not to be consumed in unison) |
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| Chocolate eclairs and cherry pudding |
Pocket Pinch: There was no pinch, Rs 150/head
Verdict: 3.5/5
3) Local street food:
Vada Paos, Pao Bhaji, Bhajji, Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, Gola you name it, the city is known for its vegetarian street food.
Where I tried: Girgaon Chaupati, is a short drive/ walk from Marine drive and is one of the most popular beaches in Mumbai. It's often crowded because of its wide choice of street food and great view of the sunset.
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| A gola stall at Chaupati |
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| The sun's down, the moon's up @Chaupati beach |
What we tried:
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| Kulfi |
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| Pao bhaji: the best I've ever had |
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| Dahi sev puri |
Verdict: 5/5 (with a short bout of stomach cramps)
Pocket Pinch: Depends on your capacity and mood
4) Others:
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| Western bakery products at Gaylord (keep a straight face when you read the name) |
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| the famous Natural's ice cream (this one is pineapple papaya flavour) |
End note: If this post didn't make you hungry, nothing will (unless of course you've been starving for days)
