40 Best Mumbai’s Foods A Foodie Must Try At Any Cost

Not just the financial capital of India, Mumbai as a city has marked its relevance in terms of offering commendable street food spice bombs as well. Most of us only know about Bhelpuri and Vada Pav as the famous Mumbai-recipes but this ‘City of Dreams’ has lots more to offer. Below are the 40 best foods in Mumbai that every foodie must relish to explore the traditional flavours of Mumbai:

Bombay Sandwich

This Jumbo Sandwich has healthy fillings as thin sliced Beetroot, Onion Rings, Boiled Potatoes, Cucumbers and Tangy Green Chutney. Grilled using white Butter, it tastes yummylicious with its each bite.

Kolhapuri Mutton

Kolhapur, a City in Maharastra is well known for its ‘Chappals’. But fewer of know that the place specializes in Mutton recipe as well. With its two versions, this delicacy is Coconut based Gravy as Tambda Rassa which is Red Chillies Extravaganza. And if you cannot handle that hotness, Pandhara Rassa is perfect for you which is crafted using Yoghurt, Cashew Nuts and Raisins.

Bombil Fry

Also known as Bombay Duck, the recipe has a key ingredient as Fish not a Duck. Fried using a Coat of Gram Flour Batter. It can be relished as a starter or even as a main course. This Fish-Dish is super-soft inside and crisp n Crunchy outside.

Bhel Puri

This common Street-Chat in Mumbai has an uncommon blend of puffed Rice, Papadi, Onions, Potatoes, Sev, Sweet & Sour Chutney and Raw Mango. It Tangy taste is best relished at your ‘Gupshup’ sessions with your loved ones.

Akuri On Toast

Prepared from Scrambled Eggs which are gently cooked Tomatoes, Onions, Red Chilli Powder and even seasonal Raw Mangoes could also be used. Topped with Coriander, this ‘,Mumbaikar’ version of Parsi Delicacy – Parsi Akuri is simple irresistible!

Butter Chicken

While this calorie counting delicacy has its traces of origin from Mughals, but foodies can’t give this delicacy a miss due to its splendid taste. Spice-mix marinated tender pieces of Chicken are Grilled or Fried and added to Rich Tomato and Butter Gravy. It tastes best when accompanied with Butter Naan or Lachcha Parantha.

Dhoklas & Farsaan

These dishes reminds one of Gujarat but Mumbaikars also love to indulge themselves in these mind-blowing recipes. Also known as ‘Khummum’ Dhokla is basically a fermented Chickpeas batter which is steamed and spiced up with Ginger and Green Chillies. Farsan is a deep-fried creation which is made out of gram flour.

Frankie

This Indianized version of Pita Bread will set you drool for it. This Juicy Naan with a coat of Egg and Stuffed with Mutton or Chicken is consist of unique flavours of Masala. Not just tummy filling, soul-satisfying too!

Chicken Mayo Roll

With most of the bakeries at Mumbai showcasing their own versions, it is the most cherished munching option for Mumbaikars. A Bread Roll with tempting fillings of tender Boiled Chicken, irresistible Mayonnaise and a Celery Leaf works wonder for the city people.

Bheja Fry

Sauteed with Tomatoes, Green Chillies, Spices and Fresh Coriander, it is the most treasured ‘Goat-Brain’ for the Ardent Non-Vegetarians. Melt this recipe in your mouth by teaming it up with a Pav or Roti.

Fish & Prawn Curry

These Coconut based light Curry recipes remind that Mumbai was once a Fishing Village. Using a variety of Prawns and Fish as Surmai (King Fish), Bangda (Mackerel), Pomfret (Butter Fish) or Bombil (Bombay Duck), this recipe is to die-for for any ardent Sea-Food lover.

Baida Roti

A great concoction of Whipped Eggs and Masala-Fried Onions which are further added to Chicken or Minced Mutton. This square shaped delicacy with such an interesting filling is pan fried further after getting rolled-up inside dough.

Butter Garlic Crab

If you think a slab of Butter can do wonders to any recipe then this dish is truly meant for you. A big Crab is drowned into huge Slabs of Butter by its each nook and corner with a twist of Garlic. This unusual concoction has no words to explain!

Batata Vada

The stable food of Mumbai goes well round the clock. From Breakfast to Lunch to evening quick bites, this fast food Dumpling is served with Green Chutney. Boiled Potatoes, Green Chillies, Lime Juice, Garlic Paste, Ginger and Fresh Coriander are mixed together to form small Balls and then these Balls are dipped into Gram Flour (Besan) and deep fried.

Brun Maska

This local bread from Mumbai called Brun – Qutli Pav which is soft inside and Crunchy outside when teamed with Butter tastes exceptionally. Brun Maska with Chai is the staple Breakfast of most of the mumbaikars.

Sizzlers

This steaming and sputtering delicacy is a great combination of Vegetables and Grilled Meats. The name is originated from way this delicacy is served – Sizzling. Don’t go dishearten, if you are a Vegan, as the recipe has its Vegetarian version as well.

Nalli Nihari

Seems, the famous phrase ‘Breakfast like a King’ has been devised basis this flavour exploding recipe. Although the recipe has its origin from Muslim Culture, it is one of the sought-after delicacy in Mumbai that every ardent carnivorous love to adore. Tender Mutton Shanks dipped in the Greasy Rich and Gravy energizes you for the toughest jobs.

Keema Pav

How can we give a must to Pav – which is a stable food of Mumbai. Keema is a Mutton minced recipe which is cooked with Tomatoes, Onions, Spices and Chillies and comes with its three versions. While this is just a plain Keema, if topped Crispy Fried sunny side up Egg becomes Keema single Fry and if served with Scrambled Eggs become Ghotala. Relish any of these versions with Pav and make you meal scrumptious!

Prawns Koliwada

This mumbaikar recipe was crafted in Koliwada( Sion Fishing Village) Mumbai and due to its splendid flavours, it is now relished by the foodies across the country. Crunchy yet melting deep fried Prawns are well cooked with Flour Batter, Ginger Garlic Paste and Spices.

Chicken Manchurian

Even the inventors of ‘Manchurian’ have no idea about this roadside handcraft popular delicacy by roadside Hawkers and Chinese Restaurants in Mumbai. Deep Fried Batter Coated Chicken topped with Chinese Sauces is absolutely lip-smacking!

Varan Bhaat

This amazing delicacy is the simplest yet another sinful affair in Mumbai. Boiled Toor Dal is tempered with Ghee, Cumin Powder and Turmeric and then served with Steaming Hot Rice or Bhaat. This magical dish is light on appetite and great on taste.

Modak

Available only at Ganesh Festival, this special Sweet is not just loved by Mumbaikars, but also cherished by Lord Ganesha. Milk, Coconut, Wheat flour and Jaggery are its key ingredients that are used to produce to this lip-smacking sweet.

Falooda

To relive the scorching heat and humidity of Mumbai, Mumbaikars love to relish this Persion Dessert. Perfect combination of Falooda (Vermicelli mixed with Milk) Ice-Creams, a bit of Rose Syrup and  Basil Seeds topped with loads of Almonds and Pistachios. Can you afford to resist it? Never!.

Gujarati Thalis

Perfect for the ones with a huge appetite and love an interesting combination of sweet-spicy food The variety in the Thali will squeeze your mind from where to start with. Three types of Farsan, two types of Vegetables, two types of Lentils, a basket of Bread, two Puris, Dal and Kadhi, two kinds of Rice and two Desserts are the core ingredients of this Thalli. Wondering what’s more left with?

South Indian Tiffins (Vadas and Idlis)

‘Tiffin’ as a word is derived from an Era of British rule in India which basically mean a light munching between meals. Mumbai is a blessed city with the availability of South Indian Tiffins after almost every 500 metres. Coconut Chutney and Hot Spicy Sambar accompanies Steamed Soft Idlis or Crispy Fried Vadas to treat your taste-buds aesthetically.

Mutton Sukka

This Malvani–Style Mutton Dish serves you a tender Meat teamed up with Malvani Masala and Red Chilles. From Rice Flour Pancakes to Wheat Chapattis, it goes hand-in-hand with each of them to give you exotic flavours.

Kebabs

Kebabs like Gurda (Kidney) and Kaleji (Heart) tops the chart in terms of uniqueness which is introduced by Bohri Muslim Community in Mumbai. Served with freshly sliced Onions, this Charcoal-Grilled Recipe is served with a tinge of Fresh Lime Juice to bloat your taste-buds into flavours.

Zunka Bhakar

This common man’s best food in Mumbai is available is everywhere within Maharashtra. Not priced more than Rs. 10, it is prepared with chopped Onions tempered with Kadipatta Leaves, Chickpeas Flour and Mustard Seeds. Accompany it with a Roti or a Jower Bhakri to enjoy a ‘wholesome’ meal

Samosa

One of the best Tea accompaniment, Samosa are most loved during rainy seasons. Spiced Potatoes within the crispy layer of it are when savour with Tamarind Chutney along, gives a heavenly flavour. And you won’t regret grabbing some extra calories with this triangle-shaped savory. Best snack of Mumbai, indeed.

Pav Bhaji

Mashed steamed mixed Vegetables when mingles with slabs of Butter and some Hot-Spices, this fusion is turned out ‘Bhaji’. Served with Pav, this delicacy is available at almost every by-lane in Mumbai and people across country visit Mumbai to relish this extra-ordinary delight.

Kanda Poha

A staple breakfast for most of the Maharashtrian families. This simple, easy and extremely delicious recipe for Mumbai’s foods is curated by using easily available ingredients – Kanda (Onions), chopped Potatoes, Poha (Flaked Rice). Garnished with Coriander and tempered with Mustard Seeds and few drops of Lime Juice, it is absolutely delicious.

Ragada Pattice

Pattice here stands for Mashed Fried Potatoes shaped into fat Patties and Ragda stands for Spicy Rugged flavour Chickpeas. This true flavour of Mumbai is relished best when Ragda and Pattice are crushed and mixed well with ingredients like Onion, Tomato and Tamarind Sauce.

South Indian Meals

The chain of Udipi is famous across country for its irresistible offerings. Even Mumbaikars love to relish South Indian meals which are quite vegetarian and has Sambar, Rasam, Curds, couple of Vegetables and Rice as its core constituents. For ardent Non-Vegans, ‘Military’ hotels are the best option in Mumbai for meals to explore with.

Misal Pav

A Spicy-Hot concoction of Poha, Potato Bhaji, curried sprouted Lentils, Farsan, chopped tomatoes and onions. Served with Pav, it can also be accompanied with Yoghurt to drop some fire.

Mutton Dhansak

An unusual combination of Lentil Dal, Spices and Mutton which burst your taste-buds with flavours. When teamed up with steamed Brown Rice, it becomes a perfect Lunch in Mumbai that will constrain to indulge in this sinful affair more and more.

Patra Ni Machhi

Mumbai has its origin as a Fishing Village, so how can we give a miss to a ‘Mumbai-Exclusive’ fish recipe? Freshly caught Pomfret is marinated in many exotic ‘Masalas’ and then steamed to perfection to elite you beyond expectations.

Puran Poli

This preparation is eminent in Mumbai during festivals and Chana Dal, Jaggery and Wheat Flour Dough are its core ingredients. This ‘Paratha-sort-of’ delicacy is so popular amongst best Mumbai’s foods that many groceries have stocked it up as well. But to explore that real taste, you need to visit a Maharashtrain house.

Sabudana Vada

This traditional fasting food in Mumbai is something to die-for. Crushed boiled Potatoes are kneeded well with soaked Sago, Green Chillies and Coriander Leaves and then small balls are rolled out in for of Patties and deep fried. Seems, fasting is no more a difficult proposition for any foodie now!

Sorpatel And Vindaloo

Set your taste buds on fire with this Goan speciality, one of the best foods in Mumbai. Curated from parts of pigs including its blood for Sorpatel and Chunks of fatty Pork Meat for Vandaloo took overnight marination to derive its Authentic tastes.

Vada Pav

A traditional cutlet in bun is the simplest definition a Vada Pav but the complexities of its tastes are beyond explanations. On the the favourite go-on-snack for Mumbaikars, this delicacy is available at almost every street corner in Mumbai. The layers of Spicy Green Chutney and fiery Red Garlic Crush make this delicacy an ‘Extravaganza’.

These amazing recipes hold uniqueness in terms of their preparations at Mumbai and thus, deserve a must-try from every foodie!