“Ek Pav Bhaji Makkhan Maar Kay”

When it comes to food, if at all there is anything as native to Mumbai as the humble Vada Pav, it ought to be the rich and much loved Pav Bhaji. The dish has a history of being first prepared in Mumbai itself in the Mill Workers Era. Today it has spread to distant countries as far as United Kingdom, USA and the many nations in South East Asia. The Pav Bhaji stalls in Mumbai are simply common place and effortlessly crowded throughout the day and night for that matter.

The mill workers would have a strenuous day of hard physical labor. They had a small lunch break everyday. It was during this time that they felt the need to have a lunch which would be filling and at the same time also light enough to help them work easily post their lunch breaks.

This is where a vendor came up with a single gravy dish which was a rich mixture of many vegetables (with potato dominating). The vegetables were together mashed up and a rich amount of butter and spices added to this. The sinfully delicious bhaji had thus come into life. While in place of the ethnic roti, the bhaji was served with a much lighter pav (bread). A garnishing of coriander and onions with a slice of nimbu (lemon) and the beloved Pav Bhaji was ready to be served.

It was only a matter of time before this dish which was initially niche to the mill workers, spread like forest fire all across the city. It topped the list on the menu card of the “all Mumbai famous” Udipi Restaurants. People from various back grounds started munching on their favorite Pav Bhaji with a generous spread of butter in it.

One may as well find Pav Bhaji on the menu card of an Indian Fast Food restaurant in Switzerland. But when it comes to our good old Mumbai, there are quite a few famous and renowned hunting spots for a Pav Bhaji.

Starting off with Sardar Pav Bhaji at Tardeo, that is simply synonymous with Pav Bhaji for Mumbaikars. It just doesn’t get any better than this. The quantity of delicious bhaji as well as the butter topped on it are simply too much. Durga Parmeshwari or more popularly known as DP’s at Matunga – East near Ruia College serves them Pav Baji as good as anywhere else. Then there is Amar Juice Centre at Vile Parle which has a massive turnout of  students from Mithibai and NM colleges, main on their list is but of course a calorie rich Pav Bhaji.

Then there is Maruti Pav Bhaji also at Vile Parle, the three Shiv Sagar restaurants at Juhu, Marine Drive and Bandra are places you ought to visit if you are a Pav Bhaji lover. The Canon canteen at VT is again a favorite (though can do with some tidiness). Sadguru restaurant at Chembur and Shiv Krishna at Opera House are among the other favorite Pav Bhaji hunting spots.

Pav Bhaji