Mumbai,despite being the urban hub of Maharashtra, leaves no stones unturned when it comes to the culture and traditions of the state. The streets of Mumbai are still today filled with traditional maharashtrian snack joints serving us the real Maharashtra on a plate in a local setting. Want to sample a few? Here’s some of the best of them.
Mama Kane
Located in the Maharashtrian hub of Mumbai,Mama Kane has been serving traditional Maharashtrian snacks since 1910 and still manages to serve you the same taste even today. With the old Mumbai charm ambience the place serves authentic thalipeeth(Multigrain pancakes), misal pav and kharvas ( Milk pudding made out of a cow’s milk as she gives birth) and is one of the most famous breakfast attraction for the Mumbaikars.
Specials: Spicy misal pav and Kanda bhajji
Timing: 10 am-9:30 p.m
Landmark: Opposite Dadar station (West)
Shree Krishna Batata wada
One of the all time favourite maharashtrian snack is the simple batata vada made from mashed boiled potatoes with green chillies,lime juice,turmeric,ginger garlic paste and fresh coriander dipped in besan(gram flour) and deep fried. Shree Krishna is one of the oldest and most renowned place where you get these traditional potato dumplings served with fried green chillies and green chutney.
P.S: Non spice eaters Careful.
Specials: Batata Vada
Timings: 11 a.m -12.p.m
Location: Opposite Chabildas High school,Dadar West.
Prakash Sahakari stall
All you need to visit this quaint little joint in Dadar is a hungry stomach and probably a hundred rupees and you can have the most filling meal of the day. From pohas to thalipeeth and sabudana vada, you will get everything here. They also serve a sweetened chilled milk drink called piyush(a maharashtrian drink you will only find here) which will complete your meal with just right amount of sweetness.
Specials: Sabudana puri,Pohe,Kothimbir vada,Special prakash piyush (sweetened milk)
Timing: 7:30 a.m- 10:30 p.m
Location: Ranade Road,Dadar West
R.K.Studio Canteen
Sabudana wada is one of the traditional upvas(fasting) food for maharashtrian but is also relished by some as an all time snack. Although the wadas are a common of every maharashtrian joints,the one R.K.Studios canteen is indeed a special kind and a must try. Made with crushed potatoes and sabudana ,the R.K canteen makes it with the right amount of masala that will not let you stop eating.
Specials: Sabudana wada
Timing: 10:00 a.m- 7:30 p.m
Location: R.K.Studios,Chembur
CST AND BMC Headquarters STALL
The mill culture in Mumbai brought the Jhunka Bhakar(a Maharashtrian delicacy) in the city feeding loads of workers and mill labourers during the 19th century. The first of its kind serving the most amazing jhunka bhakar are the stalls situated right opposite the BMC headquarters and the CST station.The stalls are still active today serving the the jhunka tempered with onions and mustard seeds and kadipatta (curry leaves) with jowar roti by the side.
Specials: Zhunka Baakar
Timing: 10:00 a.m- 10:00 p.m
Location: Stalls opposite Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Ashok Satam’s stall
Ashok Satam’s stalls has a special recipe of making the traditional mashed potato patty in a bun i.e the Bambaiyya vada pav that makes it so unique and different in taste that you will not find anywhere in the entire city. Have them with a layer of green chutney and red crushed garlic chutney and you will have yourself licking your fingers until the last bite.
Specials: Vada Pav with the crushed garlic chutney.
Timing: 11:00 a.m- 8:00 p.m
Location: At flora fountain, near Central Telegraph office (CTO)
Aram stall
At a walkable distance from the CST station,this place is a paradise for maharashtrian food lovers. Their special dahi misal pav made with the finest of curd and lentils will actually fill you up for the entire day. Visit the place for their special breakfast menu with their special elaichi tea to give your day the best start.
Specials: poha,Aaluvadi,dahi misal
Timing: 8:30 a.m – 8:30 p.m
Location: Capitol cinema building,Opposite CST
Kolapuri Chiwda
Serving traditional Maharashtrian food since 1922, the stall did not gain much popularity among the new generations but is still one of the most loved joints among its old loyal patrons.Their special kaju usal made of wet cashews and green peas patty is one of the best that you can ever have.
Specials: Kaju Usal and thalipeeth
Timing: 8:00 a.m- 10:00 p.m
Location: JSS Road,Mangal wadi,Girgaum
Content and Image Courtesy: Arshee Shaikh
