An outsider perspective to the food world of Mumbai and Delhi is like a Kaleidoscope. Having spent three years of my college life in Mumbai and then marrying a dilliwala and making Delhi my new home, I have fallen in love with the food that both these cities have to offer. But that is not the case for someone born and bred in Mumbai or Delhi who are the loyal flag bearers for their cities. Delhi and Mumbai have always had a love hate relationship. I love it when you are low; I hate it when you are high. This feeling also extends to the food that both these metros have to offer.
Now a look at the contrasts:
Tarala Dalal Vs Neeta Mehta
Kulfi opposite Girgaum Chowpatty Vs Ice-cream during a cold winter evening at Indian Gate
Vada Pav Vs Channe Kulche
Pav Bhaji Vs Chole Bhature
Gateway of India Vs India Gate
Bandra Shopping Vs Delli Haat
New Delhi Vs Town in Mumbai
Kala Ghoda Festival Vs Suraj Kund Mela
Pritvi Theatre Vs The Kingdom of Dreams
Mumbai Rains Vs Delhi Winters
And the list is endless. The two unique and beautiful cities, that I have made home hold some very fond memories.
But what I want to focus upon is my unbiased love for the food both these cities have to offer.
The food culture of Dilwalo Ki Delhi is a mix of Mughlai and Punjabi cuisine. The Mughals, who ruled the country with this city as there capital, have left, a very deep impression on the citizens’ palate. Chandni Chowk is the life blood of all authentic mughlai food in Delhi. Every famous shop has existed since time immemorial and boasts of having served the Mughal kings.
The Parathe Wali Gali with its range of parathas from the basic gobi and aloo parathas to the exquisite nimboo and karela parathas is a treat to the taste buds. A meal at the Parathas Wali Gali is accompanied by a sweet and refreshing lassi which you drink out of a mud vessel or kullar. For the non-vegetarian what can be better than a meal at Kareems’ or Moti Mahal, situated in a small lane opposite gate 4 of Jama Masjid and on the main road of Dariyaganj respectively. Both these haunts are any foodie’s fantasy. The meal has to end at the famous Jalebiwala’s shop situated at the end of the lane named Daribe Kalan. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Words from a very famous song, a great poets’ ode to all things beautiful and royal. Yes this lane does exist amongst the many by-lanes of Chandni Chowk. The jalebi’s are sweet to perfection, fried in ghee and as porous as a well fermented idlli. The cherry on the pie is a visit to Prince Pan situated on the main Dariyaganj street almost opposite Moti Mahal.
The baarf ka gola’s at Lajpat Nagar Market, the jalebi’s of Bangla Sweet House and the chole bhature at Odeon at Gole Market, the delicious and juicy kababs from Gelena, the Mughlai food at Brahmaputra Market in Sector 26 Noida, Sawgath at Defence Colony, Big Chill, Side Wok, Salim’s Kababs and Khan Chachas Kabab Corner at Khan Market, Gola, Qash Qai, Bercos at Connought Place, Momo’s and Fruit Beer at Delli Haat, Oh! Calcutta at Nehru Place and Mainland China at Greater Kailash II are the places that will keep you going back for more.
Now to Mastano Ki Mumbai.
The food culture of Mastano Ki Mumbai is a mix of the Konkani and Malwani style of cooking. The local cuisine is hot and coconut is one of the main ingredients. One of the best places for a good maharastrian meal is Highway Gomantak situated in BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex). If you are in need for more variety, head to Trishna at Kala Ghoda for an assortment of the most delectable seafood. Diva Maharashtracha, Mahesh Lunch Home and Gajalee Coastal Foods Restaurant are a few more options that can be explored. For a Parsi adventure head to Jimmy Boy for its delectable patrani macche and dhansak. And for a taste of Delhi in Mumbai, what can be better than Crystal opposite the Girgaum Chowpatty. Once the meal is over head to the New Kulfi Wala right at the corner opposite Girgaum Chowpatty and choose from a wide array of Kulfi’s. if something so cold is not your cup of tea just ask for a falooda rabri instead.
The bhelpuri, sevpuri , golgappa and gola’s at Juhu beach, Irish Coffee at Prithvi Theatre, Tiwari’s samosas at JVPD, China Gate, Just Around The Corner, Out of the Blue in Bandra, Oh! Calcutta in Worli, Café Mondegar and Leopolds Café at Colaba Causeway, Yoko’s Sizzlers in Khar. The roadside bhelpuri’s, vada pavs, dabeli’s and tea are a must have for the Mumbai experience.
Two beautiful and flavourful cities through my eyes. And the story has only just begun …
Dear NRI readers why not connect with us on the following social media platforms.
Rituparna is based out of the dream city of Mumbai. Trained as a lawyer but passion has driven her to take up cases in the kitchen instead. Photography is a new found passion and she now spends time to click her cases (read preparations) from different angles as well. She spends a typical day juggling between being a volunteer at ADAPT (The Spastic Society of India), where she teaches creative skills to specially abled children, and plunging into creating gastronomical treats in her kitchen.
Peta Jinnath Andersen is a freelance and fiction writer. Born in Sydney, Australia, to a Fiji-Indian father and Scottish mother, she’s a bit confused about her background, but loves it all the same. Currently living in the US, she has just had her first child, and is busy studying hard in an effort to learn more about her Indian heritage – including taking Hindi lessons – so she can teach her son about just what it is that makes an NRI special.
on April 21, 2011
at 8:28 am
This is a good information for the food loving people .You have done a good job.Keep it up .
on April 21, 2011
at 9:19 am
Loevly post Rituparna! Im a die hard Mumbaikar, but food wise- my vote goes to delhi. Maybe because I’m non vegetarian and a lot of mumbai is not? Hey but the best metro in terms of food, hands ( and mouths ) down is undoubtedly Kolkata! We cant hold a candle to chelo kababs, fish florentine and luchi-kasha mangsho!
on April 21, 2011
at 9:24 am
+! for Kolkata.
I am Punjabi so cannot be accused of bias, but Kolkata stands apart imo.
on April 21, 2011
at 2:40 pm
man this is a guide to good eating. Iam taking a prinr next time i visit delhi or bombay…thnks. Parathe wali gali sounds like a place in heaven…nice
on April 22, 2011
at 5:57 am
Very informative-for someone new to the city to explore and have fun when traveling to either of the cities.
on April 23, 2011
at 5:23 pm
Dilli !! Dilli !!
on April 27, 2011
at 12:43 pm
oh man…..Parathe Wali Gali sounds like a synonym for local gourmet heaven!! now a trip to this place is definitely on my bucket list
on May 2, 2011
at 7:16 am
Whenever one writes or compares or comments on FOOD… there is one city it has to be there.. and that’s kolkata.. whenever you are in Kolkata next I’ll guide you to joints that are worth… but it is indeed a very nice write up.. & I’ll go with Dilli…
on June 12, 2011
at 3:42 pm
i have been staying in mumbai for 8 long years….and would have to say that mumbaikars don’t what good food is all about….worst food i have experienced here….problem is that restaurants here try to serve both north and south indian cuisine and fail miserably on both fronts.
on July 15, 2011
at 11:25 am
Chole Bhature over Vada Pav; Delhi over Mumbai anyday!
on July 30, 2011
at 2:46 pm
Availability wise obviously kolkata stands far ahead of delhi and mumbai, food available in and out everywhere, breakfast too good. Non-veg quality and taste wise Delhi has slightly an edge over kolkata, although lots of varities in kolkata.
My vote: Delhi, kolkata, Mumbai
on December 29, 2011
at 9:58 am
Hi..a good attempt to compare though..i ve been a mumbaite since birth but spent quite a long few yrs in delhi and man i know one thing…food there SUCKS….
The parate waali galli serves anything but parathas…and every chaat i have in delhi is filled with curd…is that what u call chaat….and bigger problem with delhi is they cant tolerate any spice…so they need dairy products in all they eat…
Mumbai and Kolkata is the place for food anytime….
Cheers
on May 22, 2012
at 7:46 am
Someone who has not liked food in delhi has not developed taste for good food..
on May 23, 2012
at 11:45 am
I am with the two commenters who go with Kolkata. Nothing beats a good dish of Kochi Chingri or Elish any day of the year. In my personal opinion, Delhi is over-rated. It probably is a foodie’s paradise for a North Indian but not for others who are used to more subtle and savoury flavours/tastes.