Best & Mouth Watering Street Food in Mumbai
Mumbai is a melting pot of cultures, and its street food scene reflects that. From vegetarian chaats to non-vegetarian kebabs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find something to your taste.
Here are some of the best, mouth watering street food dishes in Mumbai:
Vada Pav - Delicious Indian Burger, an essential part of Mumbai
Vada Pav is Mumbai’s iconic street food dish. It consists of a deep-fried potato dumpling (vada) sandwiched in a soft bun (pav) and served with a spicy chutney. Vada Pav is a popular snack or light meal, and it is available at street stalls all over Mumbai. It’s a cheap and filling snack that’s perfect for on-the-go.
Origin of Vada Pav
The most common theory of the vada pav’s origin is that it was invented in the erstwhile mill-heartland of Central Mumbai. Ashok Vaidya of Dadar is often credited with starting the first vada pav stall outside Dadar railway station in 1966. Some sources credit Sudhakar Mhatre who started his business around the same time. One of the earliest kiosks selling vada pav is said to be Khidki Vada Pav, located in Kalyan. It was started in the late 1960s by the Vaze family, who used to hand out vada pavs from a window (Khidki) of their house facing the road.
Pav Bhaji - short full meal of Mumbai
Pav Bhaji is another popular street food dish in Mumbai. It consists of a thick vegetable curry (bhaji) served with soft buns (pav). The bhaji is typically made with a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and peas. It is seasoned with a variety of spices, including coriander powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Pav Bhaji is a popular lunch or dinner dish, and it is often served with a side of chopped onions and lemons.
Origin of Pav Bhaji
The origin of this dish traces back to textile mill workers in Mumbai in the 1850s. They had lunch breaks too short for a full meal, and a light lunch was preferred to a heavy one, as the employees had to return to strenuous physical labor after lunch. The dish was invented to fulfill the requirements of lunch for those textile mill workers. They needed cheap, easy, quick-to-prepare, and light, yet nutritious food. A vendor created this dish using items or parts of other dishes available on the menu. Roti (a bread) or rice was replaced with pav, and the curries that usually go with Indian bread or rice were amalgamated into just one spicy concoction: the “bhaji.”
Bhel Puri - enjoyed on beaches of Mumbai
Bhel Puri is a popular chaat dish in Mumbai. It consists of a mixture of puffed rice, vegetables, and chutneys. The vegetables typically include potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. The chutneys typically include a tamarind chutney, a green chutney, and a sweet chutney. Bhel Puri is a popular snack or light meal, and it is available at street stalls all over Mumbai.
Origin of Bhel Puri
Bhel is often identified as a ‘beach snack’, strongly associated with the beaches of Mumbai, such as Chowpatty or Juhu. One theory for its origin is that it was invented at a restaurant called Vithal near Victoria Terminus. According to another theory, bhelpuri was conceived by the city’s Gujarati community, who made it by adding complex flavours to the simple North Indian chaat.
Pani Puri - popular, mouth watering happening in Mumbai
Pani Puri is another popular chaat dish in Mumbai. It consists of hollow puri shells that are filled with a mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, and onions. The puri shells are then dipped in a spicy tamarind water (pani). Pani Puri is a popular snack or appetiser, and it is often served with a side of chopped onions and cilantro.
Kebabs & Frankie- popular among non veg lover in Mumbai
Kebabs and rolls are popular street food dishes in Mumbai. Kebabs are typically made with ground meat, spices, and herbs. They are grilled and served on a skewer or in a roll. Frankie Rolls are typically made with a paratha (flatbread) that is filled with kebabs and vegetables. Kebabs and rolls are a popular snack or lunch dish, and they are available at street stalls all over Mumbai.
Kulfi - popular among masses in Mumbai
This Indian ice cream is made with milk, sugar, and flavourings, such as pistachio, almond, and mango. It’s a delicious and refreshing treat that’s perfect for a hot day.
How is kulfi different from ice cream?
Though kulfi and ice cream are both frozen treats, they have some key differences. Unlike ice cream, which often uses eggs to add creaminess and stability, kulfi is made using only full-fat milk. This cooking method makes kulfi more stable than ice cream, so it’s not as airy and doesn’t melt as quickly.
Here are some additional tips for enjoying street food in Mumbai:
- Be adventurous: There are so many different street food dishes to try, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Be mindful of hygiene: While most street food vendors are reputable, it’s always important to be mindful of hygiene. Look for vendors who have clean stalls and who use fresh ingredients.
- Bargain: It’s perfectly acceptable to bargain with street food vendors. Just be polite and respectful.
- Enjoy: Mumbai’s street food is some of the best in the world, so relax and enjoy the experience.
These are just a few of the many delicious street food dishes that are available in Mumbai. With its diverse culinary heritage, Mumbai has something to offer everyone. So be sure to explore the city’s street food scene and sample some of the best that Mumbai has to offer.