The Most Popular Food in Mumbai, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:37
In a city as diverse and dynamic as Mumbai, where the culinary scene bursts with flavors from every corner of India and beyond, knowing which dishes delight the locals and visitors alike can be a true culinary adventure. Everyone has their favorites, but pinpointing which dishes stand out in the crowd can elevate one's dining experience, ensuring every meal is memorable.
That's where our interactive ranking comes in. By giving everyone the power to vote for their preferred dishes, we not only highlight what's currently trending but also offer a continuously updated guide that helps newcomers and long-time residents alike to make informed choices about where to eat next. The collective input ensures the most beloved foods receive the recognition they deserve and guides you to the best plates in town.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Mumbai?
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135votes
Kaushiki Prabhudesai · CC BY-SA 4.0Vada pav
Ashok VaidyaIt is the most popular street food in Mumbai. It is a spicy deep-fried potato dumpling sandwiched between two slices of bread. It is a quick and tasty snack that is perfect for those on the go.Vada pav is a popular street food in Mumbai, India, consisting of a spicy potato fritter (vada) served inside a soft bun (pav). It is often accompanied by chutney and served hot.- Origin: Mumbai, India
- Type: Street food
- Main Ingredients: Potato, bread, spices
- Spiciness: Medium to high
- Texture: Soft, crispy, and crunchy
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231votesIt is a popular street food dish in Mumbai made with mashed vegetables and spices, served with a soft bread roll. It is a filling and delicious dish that is perfect for a quick meal.Pav Bhaji is a popular street food dish from Mumbai, India. It is a combination of a spicy vegetable curry known as 'bhaji' and soft buttered bread rolls called 'pav'.
- Main Ingredients: Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, garlic, and a variety of spices
- Origin: Mumbai, India
- Serving Style: Served with buttered and toasted pav (bread rolls)
- Texture: Thick, mashed and spicy vegetable curry
- Taste: Savory, tangy, and spicy
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330votesIt is a popular street food snack in Mumbai made with puffed rice, sev, chutneys, and vegetables. It is a light and refreshing snack that is perfect for hot summer days.Bhel Puri is a popular Indian street food snack that originated in Mumbai. It is a delicious combination of puffed rice, sev (crispy fried gram flour noodles), chopped onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, and a blend of tangy and spicy chutneys. The ingredients are mixed together and garnished with cilantro leaves, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Origin: Mumbai, India
- Taste: Sweet, tangy, and spicy
- Ingredients: Puffed rice, sev, onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, crispy puris, tangy chutneys
- Garnish: Cilantro leaves, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, lemon juice
- Texture: Crunchy and soft
Bhel Puri in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Chaat
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421votes
Ankushkr2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0It is a spicy Maharashtrian dish made with sprouts, spices, and a spicy gravy, served with a bread roll. It is a popular breakfast dish in Mumbai that is perfect for those who like spicy food.Misal Pav is a spicy Maharashtrian delicacy from Mumbai consisting of a flavorful curry made with sprouts, lentils, onions, tomatoes, and a combination of aromatic spices. It is typically served with pav, which is a type of soft bread roll. The dish is known for its bold flavors and fiery kick.- Region: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Main Ingredients: Sprouts, lentils, onions, tomatoes, spices
- Spiciness: Spicy
- Serving Style: Curry with bread
- Popularity: Extremely popular in Mumbai and throughout Maharashtra
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512votes
Teena Sometimes · CC BY-SA 4.0It is a popular street food snack in Mumbai made with crispy hollow balls filled with spiced water, potatoes, and chutney. It is a refreshing and tasty snack that is perfect for those who like tangy flavors.Pani Puri is a popular Indian street food consisting of round, hollow puris (crispy fried dough balls) filled with a mixture of spicy, tangy water (pani), boiled potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and various chutneys. The puris are typically small enough to be consumed in one bite, making them a favorite snack for many people.- Main Ingredients: Puris, spicy water, potatoes, chickpeas, onions, chutneys
- Flavor: Spicy and tangy
- Preparation: Puris are deep-fried and filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and chopped onions. The pani (spicy water) is made by combining a variety of spices, mint leaves, tamarind, and lemon juice.
- Serving: Pani Puris are typically served in a plate or on a traditional street food cart, where the puris are filled with the potato-chickpea mixture and topped with the flavorful pani and chutneys.
- Variations: Different regions have their own variations, such as Golgappa, Puchka, and Gupchup, with slight differences in the ingredients or serving style.
Pani Puri in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Chaat
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69votesIt is a popular South Indian dish that is widely available in Mumbai. It is a thin, crispy crepe made with rice and lentils, served with chutneys and sambar. It is a healthy and filling dish that is perfect for breakfast or lunch.Dosa is a popular South Indian dish that is enjoyed throughout India and parts of the world. It is a thin, crepe-like pancake made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. The batter is spread out on a hot griddle or tawa, cooked until golden and crisp, and usually served with chutney and sambar (a vegetable lentil stew). Dosa is known for its unique texture - soft in the middle and crispy on the edges. It can be enjoyed as a breakfast item, snack, or even a main course.
- Ingredients: Rice, lentils, salt, water
- Fermentation: The batter is left to ferment overnight before cooking, which enhances the taste and improves digestion.
- Varieties: There are numerous variations of dosa, including masala dosa (filled with a savory potato filling), rava dosa (made with semolina), and mysore dosa (spiced with chutney and red chili paste).
- Size and Shape: Dosas come in different sizes, ranging from small (as small as a palm) to large (over a foot in diameter). They are usually round or oval in shape.
- Accompaniments: Dosas are typically served with coconut chutney, sambar (spicy lentil stew), and sometimes with a spicy tomato-onion chutney.
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712votesMumbai has a wide range of kebab options, from tandoori chicken to seekh kebab. They are marinated and grilled to perfection, and served with mint chutney and onions. They are a popular appetizer in Mumbai.Kebabs are a popular Middle Eastern grilled dish consisting of skewered meat, typically beef, chicken, lamb, or goat, that is marinated with a variety of aromatic spices and cooked over an open flame or grill. The meat is often tender and juicy, with a smoky and charred flavor. Kebabs are commonly served with pita bread, rice, salad, or grilled vegetables, and are enjoyed in many Arab countries as a part of their culinary traditions.
- Types of Meat Used: Beef, chicken, lamb, or goat
- Marination: Meat is marinated with aromatic spices, herbs, and sometimes yogurt
- Skewering Technique: Meat is skewered on metal or wooden sticks
- Cooking Method: Grilled over an open flame or charcoal
- Flavor Profile: Smoky, charred, and flavorful
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811votesIt is a popular North Indian dish that is widely available in Mumbai. It is a rich and creamy dish made with tomato, cream, and spices, served with naan or rice. It is a perfect dish for those who like mild and creamy flavors.Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a popular Indian curry dish. It is made with boneless chicken cooked in a luscious and creamy tomato-based sauce. The dish has a rich and buttery flavor with a subtle blend of spices, making it incredibly delicious and satisfying.
- Main Ingredient: Boneless chicken
- Sauce Base: Tomato-based
- Flavor Profile: Rich, buttery, and slightly sweet
- Spice Level: Moderate
- Key Spices: Garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder
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94votesMumbai is famous for its seafood, and fish curry is a popular dish that is widely available. It is a spicy and tangy dish made with fish, coconut milk, and spices, served with rice. It is a perfect dish for those who like spicy and flavorful food.
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107votesIt is a popular rice dish that is widely available in Mumbai. It is made with rice, meat, and spices, and is often served with raita and papad. It is a filling and flavorful dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner.Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made by cooking basmati rice with a blend of spices, meat (such as chicken, mutton, or fish), and occasionally vegetables. Biryani is known for its rich taste, tender meat, and fragrant rice, making it one of the most popular and beloved dishes in India.
- Region: Various regions of India, with variations in spices and style.
- Meat: Chicken, mutton, fish, or seafood.
- Vegetarian Options: Vegetable biryani or paneer biryani (cottage cheese).
- Rice: Basmati rice, known for its long-grain and fragrant characteristics.
- Spices: A blend of various spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, and saffron.
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Taste and flavorThe taste and flavor of the dish are essential factors in determining its popularity among locals and tourists. Authentic and delicious Mumbai dishes will be ranked higher.
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Cultural significanceThe dish should be deeply rooted in Mumbai's culture and should bear some history and tradition behind its origin and preparation.
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AvailabilityThe selected food should be readily available across various food joints, street food markets, and restaurants in Mumbai, making it more accessible to people.
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AffordabilityThe price point of the food should be considered, as popular food in Mumbai ranges from inexpensive street food to high-end restaurant dishes.
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VersatilityMany popular Mumbai dishes are enjoyed at different times of the day and can be consumed as snacks, main courses, or even desserts.
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PresentationThe way the food is served and presented visually can also contribute to its popularity.
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Ingredient qualityFreshness, quality, and the use of local ingredients in the dishes can contribute to their popularity.
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Popularity across different age groups and social classesPopular food should be enjoyed by a wide range of people, including locals, tourists, different age groups, and social classes.
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Online reviews and ratingsOnline platforms can provide insights into the popularity of certain dishes through reviews, ratings, and recommendations from locals and tourists.
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Media coverage and mentionsMedia coverage, including travel shows, food blogs, and articles featuring the dish, can indicate its popularity and reach.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Mumbai. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1364 views
- 173 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in mumbai
Mumbai, also known as Bombay, is a bustling city that is often referred to as the food capital of India. With a population of over 20 million people, the city has a diverse culinary scene that offers a variety of cuisines from all over the country. The city is particularly famous for its street food, which is a must-try for any food enthusiast. From the popular Vada Pav to the spicy Pav Bhaji, Mumbai's street food scene is a world unto itself. In addition to street food, the city also boasts of high-end restaurants that serve traditional Maharashtrian cuisine as well as international dishes. With so much to choose from, it's no wonder that Mumbai is often considered a food lover's paradise.
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