By Shreya Sarpal
February 27, 2026
Mumbai’s famous tawa pulao transforms plain rice into a spicy, buttery street-style meal using pav bhaji masala. Vendors mash the veggies right on a giant tawa, creating that slightly smoky, bold flavour in minutes.
2 cups cooked basmati rice 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp oil ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped capsicum ½ cup chopped tomato ¼ cup boiled peas 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1½ tsp pav bhaji masala ½ tsp red chilli powder Salt to taste 1 tbsp chopped coriander 1 tsp lemon juice
Heat butter and oil in a flat pan.
Add onion, sauté it, then add ginger-garlic and cook briefly.
Add capsicum, tomatoes, peas, salt, chilli powder, and pav bhaji masala, and let it cook until soft.
Add the cooked rice and toss well on a high flame until evenly coated.
Finish with lemon juice, coriander, and serve hot.