The sweetness of the evening snack is so much a need that we cannot avoid it. Sometimes, it becomes a meal more than a snack or a dinner item.
Mumbai the financial capital is also the chaat capital, that has the maximum number of varieties in the evening and dinner snack spreads. The varieties range from Indian, to oriental to continental and some american and european snacks too.
I love the national Vada Pav, which can be had in almost any corner of the city and the best part is all the sauces served for a vada pav is almost the same anywhere you go. It has a six sigma certification for multiple vendors serving the likely tasting food. The varieties in the vada pav, range from a potato pattice, potato, onion and Spinach fritters.
The second in line is the sandwich, plain or toasted. This is the second standard of this city. The taste is again almost the same, the vegetables used are the same and the slices are wafer thin anywhere you go. The difference is with the amount of butter that is put on the top and the sev (fried chickpea flour noodles).
The third is the sev puri/ bhel puri/ Paani Puri. The sev puri is an amazing item if you want the taste buds to be tickled and yet have fun in stuffing your mouth with a vegetable laden puri. It is definitely not a western etiquette the way you have to stuff your mouth to enjoy the taste of each puri.
The pani puri is another crazy delicacy that is known by different names across the country, gol guppa, puchka, are some of the names used in the north and east for the same. The type of puris are different and the jeera (Cumin) water used is the taste maker along with the tamarind sauce for the sweetness. The varieties are many and each vendor would give a different flavour. It is wise to keep tasting from different vendors till you find the one that serves you the best to your taste and liking.
The Bhel puri is a rice flakes delicacy that is made with the same stuffings as in the Sev Puri but has more quantity and is good for the diet conscious.
The next which is a double entrant as an evening snack and also a breakfast choice is the south indian delicacy, Idli, Medu wada, Dosa and Uttappa. All these are normally bought from the same vendor but the Medu wada and the idli is found among a few. The Dosa and Uttappa have been adding varieties to it every year. You can get chinese idlis, dosa and uttappa. You can have continental varieties and some use it as a tacos option too.
These are only the main dishes that all get into the main stream options of having the varieties in the normal snacks at the majority eatery joints in Mumbai.
Available at every corner street and making it a household requirement. The age, status, creed or religion of the person is not needed to enjoy these wonderful delicacies.
When in India, eat these snacks and you will be a satisfied being of glorified hunger.
