Mumbai, a city known for its cultural diversity and culinary delights, is a must-visit destination for foodies. The top five must-try Indian dishes in Mumbai include Butter Chicken, a classic Punjabi dish, Pav Bhaji, a popular street food, Chicken Tikka Masala, a tangy and spicy dish, Vada Pav, a quintessential Mumbai street food, and Biryani, a classic Indian dish. Each recipe includes a list of ingredients and a method of preparation to ensure success in the kitchen. These dishes are sure to tantalize the taste buds of both locals and tourists alike.

Sizzling Curry Sensations: Top 5 Must-Try Indian Dishes in Mumbai

Mumbai, also known as Bombay, the city of dreams, is a melting pot of various cultures, religions, and cuisines. This bustling city is famous for its Bollywood movie industry, historic landmarks, and mouth-watering culinary delights. The city boasts of some of the best street food and fine-dining restaurants, serving up a medley of Indian, Oriental, and international cuisine. However, if you want to indulge in some authentic and scrumptious Indian fare, here are the top 5 must-try Indian dishes in Mumbai:

1. Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken, also known as Murg Makhani, is a classic Punjabi dish that has become a favorite of foodies worldwide. This dish is made by marinating succulent chunks of chicken in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and cream. The chicken is then cooked in a tomato-based gravy, enriched with butter and cream. The result is a rich and creamy curry that pairs well with rice or naan.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg boneless chicken
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Clean and cut the chicken into cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
4. Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
5. In a pan, heat the butter and add the tomato puree. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the cream and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Add the baked chicken pieces to the gravy and cook for 10 minutes.
8. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot with rice or naan.

2. Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a popular street food from Mumbai that originated in the 1850s as a quick and cheap lunch option for textile mill workers. The dish consists of a spiced vegetable curry served with buttery buns called Pav. The Bhaji (curry) is made by cooking a mix of mashed vegetables, such as potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and cauliflower, with a blend of spices. The Pav is toasted on a griddle with butter and served alongside the Bhaji.

Ingredients:

• 4 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup cauliflower florets, boiled and mashed
• 1/2 cup green peas, boiled and mashed
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp pav bhaji masala
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro leaves for garnish
• 8 Pav buns

Method:

1. Mash all the boiled vegetables in a bowl.
2. In a pan, heat the butter and add the chopped onions. Cook until the onions are translucent.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, cumin powder, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the mashed vegetables and 1/2 cup water. Cook for 10 minutes, mashing the vegetables with a potato masher.
6. Toast the Pav buns on a griddle with butter.
7. Garnish the Bhaji with cilantro leaves and serve hot with toasted Pav buns.

3. Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is a spicy and tangy dish that has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, but is now a global favorite. The dish consists of marinated chunks of chicken that are grilled and then cooked in a creamy tomato-based curry, enriched with aromatic spices. Chicken Tikka Masala can be enjoyed with rice or naan.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg boneless chicken
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Clean and cut the chicken into cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
4. Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
5. In a pan, heat the butter and add the tomato puree. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the cream and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Add the baked chicken pieces to the gravy and cook for 10 minutes.
8. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot with rice or naan.

4. Vada Pav

Vada Pav is the quintessential Mumbai street food and is often referred to as the Indian version of a burger. The dish consists of a potato fritter called Vada, sandwiched between buttery buns called Pav, and served with a variety of chutneys and green chili peppers. It is simple yet delicious and is the go-to snack for college students, office workers, and locals alike.

Ingredients:

• For the Vada:
• 4 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying
• For the Pav:
• 8 Pav buns
• Butter for toasting
• Mint chutney
• Tamarind chutney
• Green chili peppers, sliced
• Onion, chopped

Method:

1. Mix together the boiled and mashed potatoes, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, make a batter by mixing the chickpea flour, water, and salt. The batter should be thick but pourable.
3. Heat oil in a pan for frying.
4. Make small balls of the potato mixture and flatten them into patties.
5. Dip each patty into the chickpea batter and fry until golden brown.
6. Toast the Pav buns with butter on a griddle.
7. Spread some mint chutney and tamarind chutney on the inside of the Pav buns.
8. Place a Vada (potato patty) in between the buns and serve hot with sliced green chili peppers and chopped onions.

5. Biryani

Biryani is a classic Indian dish that has been perfected over centuries and is now a global favorite. There are many types of Biryani, but the most popular ones in Mumbai are Chicken Biryani and Vegetable Biryani. This dish consists of long-grain Basmati rice, paired with spiced meat or vegetables, and slow-cooked in a sealed pot, called a Handi. Biryani is often served with Raita, a yogurt-based side dish that helps to balance out the spices in the Biryani.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1 kg chicken or mixed vegetables
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp Biryani Masala
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup ghee
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Soak the Basmati rice in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a pot, heat the ghee and add the chopped onions. Cook until the onions are golden brown.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and Biryani Masala. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the chicken or vegetables and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add the soaked rice and water. Cook on low heat until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
7. Add the yogurt and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot with Raita.

So, there you have it, the top 5 must-try Indian dishes in Mumbai. Whether you are a local or a tourist, these dishes will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. So, go ahead and indulge yourself in the flavors of Mumbai.