Mumbai’s train stations and the tracks that connect them are akin to the nervous system of the city. Since train stations are spots where hunger pangs hit the hardest, vendors tend to set up stalls and entrepreneurs open restaurants close by. While life in Mumbai is often about getting from one destination to the next, the food that the city has to offer cannot be ignored. We list some snacks that the city makes well and also tell you which stations to find them near:
Vada pav
Pillowy pav and crunchy batata vada are the hallmarks of good vada pav. The quintessential Mumbai street snack is a favourite with both residents of the city and visitors alike. Served in an old newspaper sheet with garlic chutney and green chilli on the side, vada pav can make a quick meal before or during a long journey.
Where: Outside Kandivali Station
Keema pav
Hearty keema served with soft pav can be the ideal breakfast, especially when you’re in Mumbai. Most places in Mumbai—especially Irani cafes—serve keema pav but eating the dish right before boarding a train has a charm of its own. You may also decide to have it packed to go and eat it on the train.
Where: JP’s Lunch Home near Goregaon Station
Egg burnt garlic mayo roll
Rolls aren’t just the prerogative of Kolkata and Delhi. Some places in Mumbai make equally tasty ones that are hard to resist. This one comes with the added flavour of burnt garlic and mayonnaise, making it a delicious and filling snack before or after a hectic commute. Buy two portions if you’re especially hungry.
Where: Kathi Kabab Roll near Lower Parel Station
Idli and dosa
Idli and dosa may not be native to Mumbai, but that doesn’t mean that establishments in the city don’t know how to make them. Ram Ashraya opens at 6am daily to serve hungry passengers who depart from Matunga, the station nearby. Wash the idli and dosa down with some filter coffee, and end your meal with sheera.
Where: Ram Ashraya near Matunga station
Malai and sugar toast
Malai and sugar on toast is a snack that many of us associate with childhood, back when our mothers and grandmothers prepared it after we had finished playing outside. Usually found in home kitchens, malai and sugar toast is rare to find at cafes and restaurants but Chaos Control Cafe serves the dish. It is best enjoyed accompanied by the cafe’s kesar chai.
Where: Chaos Control Cafe near Prabhadevi Station
