Gorgeous sunset wander on Chowpatty Beach, joining the teeming throngs soaking up the Sunday evening vibe, Bombay-stylee.
A real festival atmosphere, with groups of all different ages, castes and social classes, eating, drinking (nothing alcoholic mind) and being very merry. Cobs of corn barbecuing, chai wallas, faloodas plus lots of stalls offering various puri snack options.
We came to sample Bhel Puri, an incredible combination of hot, spicy, sweet and sour, all dancing together on the tongue. Key ingredients: finely chopped dough sticks, puffed rice, chopped red onions, nuts, beason sticks, sweet tamarind chutney, cilantro, chilli chatni and generous squeezes of lime. All washed down with Thumbs Up cola (first sampled on my first trip to India at 11, when it was only option available and I wanted Coke. Now owned by the Coca-Cola company, but still the biggest selling soft drink in India). Thumbs Up indeed!
Bill for two (we shared): 18 rupees for Bhel Puri, 20 for Thumbs Up. Total = 24 pence, 43 Australian cents. Bargain!
Badshah Pani Puri, Stall Number 16, Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai, India.
