August 15 calls for a celebration of freedom and any celebration is incomplete without food and drinks. From small bites to hot beverages and rice and meat delicacies, the Independence Day feast has to be a grand one
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August 15 calls for a celebration of freedom and any celebration is incomplete without food and drinks. From small bites to hot beverages and rice and meat delicacies, the Independence Day feast has to be a grand one. Mumbai is a foodie’s paradise that brings forth specialities from different parts of India and spreads the country's culinary richness. So, how about indulging in a full- course Indian meal on Independence Day? In order to make your Independence Day food trail easier, we have listed 15 different popular, exotic and authentic Indian food items That can be savoured in Mumbai. Take your pick:
1. Cutting chai: Mumbai is synonymous with cutting chai, so how about starting your day with a cup of cutting chai? No matter whichever season it is, tea lovers in Mumbai just hunt for a cup of cutting chai wherever they go. 'Cutting chai' is nothing but a half filled glass of strong sweetened milk tea. Yet this 'nothing' liquid is more than a cuppa to Mumbaikars. So, if you are in the city on Independence Day, you cannot skip the 'desi drink'. From small tea stalls to big cafes, almost all food joints have cutting chai listed in their menu.
Where: Prithvi Cafe, Kyani and Co, Chai pe Charcha, Merwan’s, Lucky Tea Stall
2. Vada Pav: The staple food of Mumbai and one of India’s favourite on-the-go snacks cannot be ignored on the Independence Day food trail. From the pav (Indian bread) to the vada (spicy potato patty) and lasoon ki chutney (garlic chutney), everything is so very Indian about this affordable quick bite.
Where: Ashok Vada Pav, Aram Vada Pav, Goli Vada Pav, Anand Vada Pav
3. Filter coffee: Mumbai is a hub of South Indian restaurants and therefore filter coffee forms an integral part of the city’s culinary scene. A steaming cup on filter coffee brings with it exhilarating aroma that is strong enough to awaken your senses. This Independence Day, take a leap from Cappuccino and Cafe Latte and relish the taste of South India's filter coffee.
Where: Hotel Ramashray, Banana Leaf, Mysore Cafe, Cafe Madras, Cafe Mysore
Filter coffee
4. Gujarati thali: Mumbai’s love for multi-cuisine delicacies has no bounds and the predominant position of Gujarati Thali in the city’s culinary map is the epitome of such multi-cuisine fare. Gujarati thali is all about the use of Indian spices, the traditional way of cooking, and conventional way of presentation. Savour the flavours of Gujarat on Independence Day over a wide range of veg curries, pulse preparations, Indian breads and Indain sweets and thank yourself for being a part of a nation whose culinary royalty spans across the globe.
Where: Maharaja Bhog, Golden Star Thali, Rajdhani Thali Restaurant, Chetana, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay
5. Dum biryani: Being an Indian, biryani forms an integral part of our life. The flavourful slow cooked dum biryani is a world famous dish that is loved and savoured by almost all Indian households. While some love to make the rice delicacy at home, some love to relish it at restaurants. From food stalls in Khao Galli to luxury restaurants in the city, Dum Biryani is a mandatory meal in all food joints serving Indian meals.
Where: Urban Tadka, Caravan Serai, Cafe Noorani, Ammis biryani, Hyderabad Xpress
6. Bombil Fry: Bombil fry tops the list of Maharashtrian cuisine. The yummy fish dish serves as a starter and also is best paired with daal rice. Lightly marinated with salt and turmeric, Bombil Fry is a simple yet delicious dish listed in the menu of seafood restaurants in the city.
Where: Gomantak, Gajalee, Highway Gomantak, Malwani Aswad, Bombil Fry
Bombil fry
7. Goan Fish Curry: What is Goan food without fish curry? Popular in Goa, Goan Fish curry is also an integral part of Mumbai restaurants that specialize in seafood delicacies. The dish is packed with local flavours and is a must have if you are a fish lover. Fish curry is the staple food of many Indian states and therefore an Independence lunch may remain incomplete without rice and fish curry.
Where: Soul Fry, Highway Gomantak, Jai Hind Lunch Home, Mahesh Lunch Home
8. Crab masala: A medley of spices and aromatics, Crab Masala is a delicacy in Mumbai. The yummy dish is best paired with white rice. If you are looking for an Indian meal on Independence Day, do not forget to include crab masala in your bucket.
Where: Gajalee, Acharekar's Malvan Katta, Sadichha, Goa Bhavan Canteen
Crab masala
9. Samosa with Chole: Even though it is a speciality of Punjab, yet it is a Mumbaikar’s favourite. The mixing of two chaats in one plate turns Samosa with Chole into a lip-smacking delicacy. Samosa with Chole is indeed the popular street food of India.
Where: Guru Kripa, Sion
10. Maharashtrian fish thali: A Maharashtrian Fish thali comprising of fluffy vade/chapati/bhakri, fried fish, curry, sukha jawala and solkadi is a haven for Mumbaikars. If you have not tasted the Maharashtrian fare yet, plan your Independence Day lunch outing over a traditional Surmai Thali or Pomfret thali in Mumbai. Cooked in absolutely traditional form with all local spices, Maharashtrian food thali is no doubt a delicious and wholesome meal to relish.
Where: Sindhudurg, Mi Hi Koli, Diva Maharashtracha
11. Thalipeeth: This is a multi grain Maharashtrian pancake prepared from special flour made of roasted tapioca, Rajgira, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, wheat and rice. The Maharashtrian thalipeeth is served with dollops of butter or ghee and yoghurt. The light yet delicious dish also serves as a healthy breakfast in the city.
Where: Aaswad, Hotel Amey
Thalipeeth
12. Neer dosa: Prepared from rice batter, neer dosa forms a major part of Udupi-Mangalorean cuisine. Neer dosa is generally served with sambar and coconut chutney or with non-vegeterian curries like egg curry, mutton curry and chicken curry. In some Mumbai restaurants, Neer dosa is also served with veg delicacies like mushroon masala. If you want to explore the other side of South Indian fare, then keep aside the regular plain dosa and masala dosa and try out neer dosa.
Where: Dakshinayan, Banana Leaf, Anand Bhavan, Hotel Ramashray
13. Luchi and Kosha Mangsho: A plate of luchi (Indian bread made from flour) and kosha mangsho (Mutton curry) is a delicacy of Bengal. In fact, any Bengali meal is incomplete without the addition of luchi and kosha mangsho. One can try this delicicous meal on Indiependence Day in restaurants of Mumbai that serve Bengali specialities.
Where: Bhojohori Manna, The Calcutta Club, Oh! Calcutta
14. Kheer Kodom: From rasogolla to misti dhoi and langcha, Bengali meal is incomplete without a plate of sweetmeats. Kheer Kodom (sweetened khoya dumpling stuffed in Rasogolla) is one such Bengali speciality that forms a predominant part of Indian sweets. With time, the exotic dessert has spread its wings to other Indian cities including Mumbai. In fact, this is a unique dessert where one sweet ball is stuffed inside another sweet ball. If you have a sweet tooth and wish to explore the vividness of Indian sweets, then do grab Kheer Kadam on August 15.
Where: Sweet Bengal
15. Firni:The traditional rice custard cooked with milk, garnished with dry fruits and served on an earthen bowl is a haven for both sweet and non-sweet lovers. Most of the restaurants in Mumbai serving Mughlai food have firni in their dessert menu. If you are going for an Independence Day lunch over Biryani, then you must end your meal with a bowl of firni. The addition of cardamom, raisins, cashers, almonds, saffron and pistachios enhances the flavour of this ecotic dessert.
Where:Lucky Biryani, Urban Tadka, Delhi Darbar, Persian Darbar, Azmal Sweet Shop
Embark on a food trail in Mumbai on Independence Day and savour 15 such Indian food items that are not only popular in the country, but also in other parts of the globe
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