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Sweet, spicy, vibrant and comforting – Parsi cuisine is much like its people. This peace-loving community has blended into the fabric of the nation and Mumbai city, in a way like no other. We mean, can you ever imagine Mumbai without its Irani Cafes’, Fire Temples and the vibe in the beautiful Parsi colonies across the city, One thing that we especially love about Parsi culture is the food. Whether it is breakfast of Irani chai and Bun Maska or the grand marriage feast or Lagan nu Bhonu!
Since it’s not every day that you get to be at a Parsi Wedding, Parsi New Year or Nowroz is a great excuse to dig into a grand feast for all of us who love the cuisine!
As for what should be on your Bhonu plate, Thinsg2do tells you all about the delicious delicacies and where to find them to satisfy your cravings this Nowroz!
1Parsi Style Fried Chicken – Chicken Farcha
The Parsi version of Fried Chicken, Farcha has a charm of its own. The mildly spiced chicken pieces and fluffy egg coating make this dish different from the usual crispy fried chicken you’re used to, but you can trust Paris to do things differently and make it even better. The perfect starter to get the meal going.
Places to Try Chicken Farcha – Dinshaws Express, and Soda Bottle Openerwala are two of our best bets to try Chicken Farcha
2Kebabs and Cutlets
Parsi-style kebabs are amongst the most popular ones you’ll ever try. Made with different meats ranging from chicken and mutton to prawns and eggs – each family and eatery has their own recipe for the kebab. From the famous boiled egg, potato and chutney kebabs to prawn mince and herb kebabs, laced with a thin egg coating – Parsi-style kebabs work as a starter but are also a great accompaniment to simple main course dishes like dal and chawal or pulaos
Places to Try Kebabs – The Chicken and Mutton kebabs and the Chicken Gravy Cutlet at Jimmy Bhoy are just fantastic to give you an authentic Parsi experience.
3Patrani Machchi
At every Parsi wedding or grand meal, Patrani Machchi is a dish which somehow always manages to steal the show. Whether it is the dramatic process of unwrapping the hot steamed fish from the banana leaf or the delicately sweet, spicy flavours of the chutney-coated pomfret inside!
Places to Try Patrani Machchi – Soda Bottle Openerwala, Cafe Britannia, Cafe Ideal.
4Dhansak and Brown Rice
A dish that defines Parsi cuisine, Dhansak is a delicious one-bowl meal made of Dhansak dal – which is a creamy spiced dal with pieces of meat, served with fragrant brown rice. The simplicity of the meal is also its charm, which when served with a side of fresh kachumber can give a lot of gourmet dishes a run for their money. While you can enjoy Dhansaak at many restaurants you can surely find their best versions made by Parsi home cooks and ones served in authentic Irani cafes!
Places to try Dhansak Dal and Brown Rice – Ideal Corner, Cafe MIlitary, Soda Bottle Openerwala & Britannia and Co. are a few Parsi Restaurants that have been wowing customers with their traditional Dhansak recipes for generations!
5Prawn Patio
The patio is a simple accompaniment to homestyle traditional Parsi meals like dal and chawal and this is what is prepared in most Parsi homes for festivals and celebrations. A patio is almost like a thick curry-like with a tomato base and has a wonderful sweet and tangy taste that uplifts even the simplest meals. Since Parsis love non-vegetarian food, prawns are the most common type of patio recipe you will find!
Places to Try Patio – Jimmy Bhoy and Cafe Military
6Berry Pulao
A dish that is said to have originated in Persia is so fiercely loved by the people of Bombay. A festive dish made by cooking long grain rice along with spices, dried fruits and plenty of red berries. The sweet and tangy flavour of these berries studded in the flavorful rice makes Berry Pulao a great meal in itself and a must-have during every Parsi celebration.
Places to try Berry Pulao – While you get to try Berry Pulao at many Irani Cafes in Mumbai, the one served at Britannia and Co are approved through generations and comes with a big portion nostalgia on the side!
7Lagan nu Custard
To end your Parsi New Year meal with something sweet and festive, a Lagan nu custard should be your final choice. The soft and creamy custard doesn’t really need an introduction. It’s a no-brainer that you should end your Parsi New Year Bhonu with this legendary dish.
Places to Try Lagan nu Custard – Cafe Ideal, Kyani and Co, Jimmy Bhoy
8Pallonji
Finding Pallonji in a cafe is a sign that this place will definitely serve good Parsi food and most Irani Cafes in Mumbai will surely have it. This bottled drink that comes in so many flavours is just perfect to accompany a comforting and rich Parsi meal. The bright-hued Raspberryflavored one’s a crowd favourite and you should definitely enjoy it with your Bhonu!
Places to Try Pallonji – EVERY Parsi or Irani cafe in Mumbai will serve you Pallonji.
9Sagan Ni Sev
Now, this is not something that you will find on every restaurant menu, but this dish is surely something that every Parsi household makes on every special occasion, from birthdays and anniversaries to Parsi New Year. A super simple recipe that signifies starting a good day on a sweet note, sev is made by roasting brown sev and soaking it in sugar syrup and sprinkling it with a generous amount of dried fruits!
Places to try Parsi Sev – Ahura Bakery or at your closest Parsi friends’ house on a special day like Parsi New Year!
We hope with this your Parsi New Year celebrations are grander than ever with these delicious Parsi dishes and Irani Cafes in Mumbai to find them!
Happy New Year or should we say – Nawroz Mubarak!
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