I am in love with Mumbai! Masood took me to Chowpatty yesterday, which is more commonly known as “Bombay Chowpatty”. I was surprised to discover that it’s actually a beach because back home in the UAE, Bombay Chowpatty is the name of a restaurant! And they serve yummy food.
Gorgeous, right? Such a clean and quiet place to spend some moments of solace and peace. Well, not really! I took that picture at two in the afternoon, when the sun was hot and bright. That’s one of the reasons why the beach appears deserted. I discovered the other reason just last night: the place comes to life at night!
This lively beach is definitely not meant for sunbathing or swimming, but for eating. It is a bazaar and mela (or festival) rolled into one. I noticed salesmen throng the beach last night, selling everything from glow-in-the-dark yo-yos and animal-shaped balloons to rat poison. Men stand by with bathroom scales, offering complacent strollers a chance to check their weight in return for a small price. Hand-operated Ferris wheels and carousels are packed with children. And then there was the main attraction: stalls nearby selling Mumbai’s famously satisfying fast food—crunchy bhel puris (puffed-rice snacks), ragda pattices (spicy potato cakes), and paav bhaji (fried vegetable mash eaten with bread). And my all-time favorite: falooda.
Did I mention that most of the people came dressed as if they were attending a wedding party? It was so lively. We strolled around a bit, just before heading towards the countless food stalls. Each stall has a “salesman”, whose job is to call in customers towards his stall.
We ordered paav bhaji and falooda with kulfi (I can’t put into words how yummy both of these were). One of the salesmen laid out a straw mat for us on the sand, where we sat and enjoyed the food. The entire experience was so memorable!
If you’re in Mumbai, do visit this place.
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14 responses so far ↓
masood // October 20, 2009 at 6:03 pm |
I am happy you are loving it
Chowpatty Beach | Tea Break // October 20, 2009 at 7:22 pm |
[...] This cup of tea was served by: Walking Through [...]
Wana // October 20, 2009 at 8:17 pm |
“We ordered paav bhaji and falooda with kulfi (I can’t put into words how yummy both of these were). ” —->> My favourites!!
)))
Niyaz // October 20, 2009 at 10:45 pm |
Nice picture
Ms.Unique // October 21, 2009 at 1:27 am |
Awwwwwwww U make me wanna go there right nowwwwwwww
…. I missssssssss allllll that …. especially the yummy fooooooood ….. just today I was telling my Mum hw I wntd to have Pav Bhaji coz they were having it for breakfast @ my Aunt’s today LOL 
Masha Allah nice pic, and am happy U like ma city ….
Francesca // October 21, 2009 at 1:44 am |
Wow! That’s just the kind of place I like for a summer evening out!
…Eating close to the sea, under the stars, having a walk on the sand, looking at the people having fun, and maybe, listening to some music, in the meantime… it’s definitely my ideal amusement.
So, I’ll keep your advice in mind!
Abid // October 21, 2009 at 4:51 am |
Looks amazing! Seems something like the food street in Lahore? (I’ve never been to Lahore, we only ever go to Karachi, but from what my cousins told me)
Sara (cairo, lusaka, amsterdam) // October 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm |
What a lovely picture. Masha’Allah, it sounds like you’re having an amazing trip
Nizsha // October 27, 2009 at 8:57 pm |
Lovely picture. I’m Indian and I’ve never been to the famous Mumbai Chowpatty :~
Have fun
hfm // October 27, 2009 at 11:34 pm |
awww, I hope you have an amazing time
mubi // October 28, 2009 at 11:35 pm |
yum yum bhel puri, falooda !!! love it !!
having a good time ..:D
a different view about mumbai contrary to what we often hear abt it…
Sumera // October 30, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
Love street food, not too keen on eating from street vendors though! make it at home
Haleem // October 31, 2009 at 8:04 pm |
Lovely….
Haven’t seen you posting in a while, hope everything is OK and you are just enjoying India!
Haris Gulzar // November 2, 2009 at 1:55 pm |
Falooda with Kulfi (Y)(Y)(Y)(Y)…. When I was in Lahore I ate Falooda very often, but here it isnt the same kulfi falooda in Karachi, so it doesnt really make me walk so much and go to the market for a falooda that is no match to what I enjoyed in Lahore. Anyways, great post, and nice picture as always (Y)