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Kabir Ruparelia

The Magical Food Lanes of Mumbai

When it comes to spicy food, India is the place to be. But when it comes to unusual combinations and food that will make your taste buds dance like they’re on fire, I must recommend a narrow little street in Bombay, the city of dreams.


Formally, it is known as "Off-Carter Road," but the locals lovingly call it "Khao Gali," which literally translates to "Eat Street." It’s a place that doesn’t just satisfy your hunger; it fills your soul. Khao Gali is a riot of flavors, colors, and aromas, a place where even the air tastes like spice. For me, strolling down this lane brings back some of my greatest childhood memories, each step a bite of nostalgia.


The simplest of dishes taste  much better when made at the side of the road. Even from fifty feet away, your nostrils are greeted by the ever-enticing smell—a fragrant orchestra of street food from around the world, each dish carrying an unmistakable Indian twist that makes it ten times spicier and a hundred times more exhilarating.


The Lebanese shawarma here turns into fiery "Tandoori Chicken Shawarma," the Nepali momos are stuffed with "palak paneer," and Japanese sushi gets a tangy, masala-coated makeover. It’s as if each dish is trying on a colorful Indian sari, trading its original elegance for a vibrant, spicy charm. 


With each visit—Nutella on noodles, butter popcorn mixed with chaat masala, and “Babu ki Maggi,” a combination that tastes like childhood with every bite. Each stall is an eccentric artist, each dish a brushstroke of flavour.


Every dish here has its own personality, just like every person you encounter. It’s a place where flavors collide in ways you’d never imagine—an experience that fills you up in more ways than one. So, the next time you feel like trying something crazy, bring an empty stomach, a hundred-rupee note, and a friend to share the adventure.


I guarantee you’ll enjoy it—it will be an experience of a lifetime; and don’t forget to carry a packet of Monaco for Monty. He’ll appreciate it as much as he appreciates every new face in Khao Gali. Everyone I meet in Khao Gali feels like an old friend. There’s Mrs. Sharma, who owns a paan shop at the start of the lane. Her smile is as warm as a freshly baked naan, and she never fails to hand me a sweet with motherly affection. Walking a little further, I always see Monty, a grey stray Labrador, everyone’s favorite four-legged friend, wagging his tail like he’s part of the welcoming committee. I often stop to buy him a packet of Monaco biscuits, his favourite.


Further ahead, I get blinded by the sharp, contrasting colors of the endless food stalls, banners hanging like oversized kites. There, you’ll find the weirdest creations that get stranger and tastier !


So the next time you’re in town, do pay a visit to this bustling local street that’s a hidden gem in India’s city of Dreams; 

Just don’t forget to grab a packet of Monaco biscuits for Monty- I’m sure he’ll appreciate it!




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