Bombay Street Food by Nisha Dobberstein
On the 13th of February, we had the pleasure of indulging in an exquisite Bombay Street Food feast, thoughtfully curated by Nisha in her stunning residence. A heartfelt appreciation goes to our gracious host, whose meticulous attention to detail elevated the experience—from the beautifully presented dishes to the charming leaf plates that perfectly captured the essence of Mumbai’s vibrant street food culture.
Nisha began our lunch with a fascinating introduction to Bombay, now known as Mumbai—a city renowned not only as the heart of Bollywood but also as India’s financial capital. She shared how its name derives from ‘Mumba,’ the Hindu Goddess Mumbadevi, and ‘ai,’ meaning mother, reflecting the city’s deep cultural and historical roots. She painted a vivid picture of Mumbai as a paradise for food lovers, where the streets bustle with an array of flavours, textures, and aromas that embody its rich diversity.
Our culinary journey commenced with refreshing glasses of Nimbu, a tangy, salty lime juice designed to awaken the palate. This was followed by pani puri, a beloved street snack. With great enthusiasm, Nisha demonstrated how to fill the delicate, crisp puris with a medley of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind, finishing with a splash of chilled, spiced water—an explosion of flavours in every bite.
We then moved to the dining area, where an elegant buffet awaited. Each dish was a revelation. Dhokla, a delicately steamed, spongy cake, was a personal favourite—its subtle flavours enhanced by mustard seeds, curry leaves, and the delightful crunch of pomegranate seeds.
The menu continued with Mumbai’s iconic street staples. Vada pav, often described as the city’s answer to a burger, featured a spiced potato fritter encased in a soft roll. Misal pav, another standout, combined spicy sprouted lentils with crispy farsan, offering a wonderful contrast of textures. There was also poha, a fragrant dish of flattened rice with peanuts, mustard seeds, and fresh coriander, as well as sabudana khichdi, a unique preparation of tapioca pearls cooked with potatoes, peanuts, and gentle spices.
The only meat dish on the menu was a flavorful, spicy chicken pav—succulent and perfectly spiced, yet never overpowering. None of the dishes were overwhelmingly fiery, allowing the complexity of the spices to shine without masking the true essence of each ingredient.
For dessert, we were treated to two classic Indian sweets: halwa and shrikhand. I exercised restraint and chose the shrikhand, a luxuriously thick and creamy yogurt-based delicacy with a subtle sweetness, reminiscent of Greek yogurt. To conclude this extraordinary meal, we sipped on aromatic masala chai, a fitting end to our journey through Mumbai’s street food landscape.
The afternoon was nothing short of magical. As Kyoko so eloquently put it, “It was an unforgettable experience to dine in a mansion-like museum, beautifully adorned with works of art.” The exquisite flavours, the enchanting ambience, and the warmth of shared company all came together to create a truly memorable occasion—one that will linger in our hearts and taste buds for years to come.
Review thanks to Santhi Nair-Moine
Here are links for some of the recipes to the items mentioned in this review
Pani puri recipe – https://www.spiceupthecurry.com/wprm_print/pani-puri-recipe-water-stuffing
Vada pav recipe – https://www.cookingandme.com/vada-pav-recipe-how-to-make-mumbai-vada/
Misal pav recipe – https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/misal-pav-recipe/thanks to
