Street Smart?

Indian to Chinese, Mexican to Thai, South Indian to Malvani cuisine, the city of Mumbai is the gastronomical capital of the country. Enter any restaurant in the city, and you won’t be let down for the variety of different cuisines offered sweeps you off your feet. Not just a restaurant or a plush hotel, Mumbai is equally known for its junk food spread out with dozens of chat items and the famous vada pav. The street food is nothing short of an open air kitchen.

However, to get a real life experience of how the open air kitchen works, go on an excursion to the khaugallis in the city. The one at Churchgate is popular among the executives, the college students and the budding cricketers who spend a hard day on field at Cross Maidan and attack the khau galli in the evening for a quick bite.

One may witness an uncommon sight, be it in the morning or late evening, the khau-galli at Churchgate is flocked by eager gourmets. You are understandably amused to witness the popularity of the “eating lane” in spite of the risk it holds for your stomach. Hop into ‘Jumbo King Vada Pav’ for the scrumptious Indian burger and samosa or visit ‘Lisha Pav Bhaji’ for the mouth watering dish, you are sure to enjoy the taste. Talking about chat items and ignoring the all time favourite panipuri is a sin. Naturally, you have the ‘Sadal Bhel Puri Centre’, where you can down the panipuris one after another without thinking twice.

The khau-galli reflects the essence of Mumbai and hints to the never ay die spirit of the city. Travel through the galli a bit and you will come across the Chinese food stall. This might not be the real chinese cuisine, but what Indians call Chinese is just this - a lot of Chinese with a lot of Indian tossed in for good measure. The kebab stall reminisces one of the mouth watering delicacies laid out during Ramzan on the Mohammad Ali Road. A little further still and you’ll be in the South Indian heartland of ‘Famous Dosa Centre where you can stop to grab a bit of fresh made idlis and dosas.

Not just food stalls but the ‘Aarey Centre’and ‘Sanath Juice Centre cannot be overlooked. However, the major attraction of the khau galli remains the ‘Jhunka Bhakar Kendra’ that provides the common office goers a dash of humble roti and dal. This Kendra has a ‘dabba’ system that is extremely popular with the crows that pass through this galli. The obsession with quick, tasty food has proved to be especially good for women entrepreneurs who run this kendras.

Eating out in the khau galli of Churchgate is an option that suits the need of the moment who do not dig into the hygienic aspect too often. Food is something the Mumbaikar savours. The more the variety, the more curious the Mumbai man gets. The khau gallis have been quintessentially crowned the trademark of the city.

It is impossible to ignore the cries of the ‘thelawallas’ that cries out their specialties. It's a momentarily surreal experience that the pockets of the common man can afford. . Eating on the galli is a completely non-self conscious act for everyone and the rush and crush of an everyday street is not a deterrent.

The khau gallis, which started off as a necessity to cater to a clientele on the move, has evolved into an integral part of Mumbai's ethos and the city now thrives on it.
On the whole, Mumbaikars aren't perturbed by a lack of atmosphere or even a dingy decor if the food is right. Take a trip down the Churchgate lane to get a taste of Mumbai food.

Bon Appetit !