Much like real estate or city skylines, the availability of cheap but delicious food is one of the greatest markers of the best cities in the world, and an important stamp on the gastronomical food trail of Mumbai is its Dosa--replete with countless avatars and never-ending opportunity. As if the South Indian battered goodness wasn’t versatile enough as it is (there must be as many types of dosas from onion rava to ragi as there are people in India) the Mumbai-fied street version takes things to the next level with their unique fillings. The only way to describe it is serious culinary invention to be honest.
If you’ve ever been to college here, waiting for your notes to get photocopied alongside the sizzling smell of butter melting on the top of the white batter has been a source of great comfort and satisfaction; the incessant clanging of the hot black Tava is often one of the sounds Mumbai sleeps to. Being a part of the cooking process is as much joy as eating one of these beauties, right from cheese being grater over the sizzling tava, butter and ghee being poured out of a steel container and the splash of spices and masala powders as if Holi is being celebrated on the dosa and ending with the careful rolling of the cylindrical beauty that we tear apart and dip in chutneys and sambhars.
Given its particularly airy centre pocket, creative vendors everywhere have taken to filling these pockets up with just about anything that might make them stand out from the crowd--and many of them have become cult classics. So whether it’s the cheesy pasta filling you’ll find in Goregaon East or the spicy pav bhajji delights you’ll find at other locations, follow us for the most unique (but delicious) dosas in the city.
I. Spring Roll Cheese Dosa @ Anand Stall
Where: Opposite Mithibai College. Call: +91 98334 42623
Forget the cherry trees in Japan, what gives us a spring in our step is the very sprightly Spring Roll Cheese dosa with the company of eager college students. With a filling that puts roadside chinese stalls to shame, the red sauce base of this crispy delight is what we bet all of our salaries on. Don’t worry about burning your tongue as the chef will grate an unbelievable amount of our favourite stuff on top of it to dull it down a little. These guys are so good that they even have their own facebook page.
Cost: Bunking college and work for spring break @ Rs.140 (We also recommend the Maggi Cheese Dosa, a favourite of the #urbanpoor)
II. Special Ginni Dosa @Angel Dosa Centre
Where: Vikas Complex, Thane
This genie doesn’t come out of a bottle but it does come from an angel. The vegetables are smashed together to form a sweet stuffing that is accompanied by the salty taste of the butter that fries the dosa batter. Blended with the chutney that is going to knock your socks off, you would make three more wishes for this Ginni if you got a chance.
Cost: Strong pun game @ Rs.100
III. Cocktail Dosa @ Ayyapan
Where: Matunga East
Known for their Kannada tiffin items, Ayappan has more than just dosas; they have idlis, wadas and Utthapams as well. Their cocktail dosa, however, the stuff our unique dosa dreams are made of. Filled with steaming, finely chopped vegeteables which are fried in the butter and then rolled and cut into cylindrical shapes. The garlic flavour overpowers the other ingredients but it is a good balance with mozzarella cheese and cooling chutneys that go with it. A dip of this dosa in the sambar, and you may not want your manhattan cocktail anymore over this matunga eatery.
Cost: Balaji temple over Shirley Temple @ Rs.100
IV. Golmal Dosa @ Jai Ambika Annadata Aahar Kendra
Where: Andheri West
Popularly known as Tirupati Dosa Center, this joint began in 1996 and was started by Nagraj Gowda who went on to build a base of 120 unique dosas. When you order the Golmal Dosa, expect much tummy twisting as the vegetables fried in Shezwan sauce come with evenly melted cheese. It will make you forget the entire utensil clanging coming from the kitchen.
Cost: Hrishikesh Mukherjee would be proud of this Golmal@Rs.110
V. Chocolate Dosa @ Nandu Dosa Diner
Where: 24, Kent Garden, B.M.C Market, T.P.S Road, Near M.K. School Gate, Borivali West
There is Nandu at Juhu and there is Nandu in Borivali. Wherever you are, stop your vehicle and run towards the smell of hot chocolate being smeared on crisp batter. You can begin with this as an appetizer or as a dessert, if you love how molten chocolate feels around your mouth, have trust in the almighty Nandu and surrender your guilt.
Cost: Better than chocolate bar ads on TV @ Rs.80 (Rs.20 for extra chocolate)
VI. Pizza Dosa @ Nandu Dosa Dinner
Where: Ritumbara College Road, Juhu, Mumbai
Showing up on our list for the second time, Nandu can be trusted to put all your favourite pizza joints to shame. His open pizza dosa gives a new meaning to thin crust bases. With paper thin crust supporting the goodness of cheesy toppings and genuinely Ind-italian pizza taste, this dosa will be the lover that never lets you go. Or, you know, vice-versa.
Cost: Take me down to Paradiso @ Rs. 100
VII. Palak Paneer Cheese Dosa @ Narayan’s Dosa
Where: Parmand Building, French Bridge, Opera House, Grant Road, Mumbai
You might have to stand at this joint but let us warn you about going weak in the knees at the sight of their fusion dosa. A chunky, garlic-heavy spinach paste with soft balls of paneer is what you’re getting when you order the Palak Paneer Cheese Dosa here. You may order the same without the cheese, but knowing us, cheese is where it’s at. Add a flaming garlic chutney and coconut chutney to the mix and you have a winner.
Cost: Not the only thing vegetarians eat @ Rs.90
VIII. Cheeseburst Masala Dosa @Pure Milk Centre
Where: Ghatkopar East
Coupons, discount offers and sodexo cards may manipulate you but don’t give into those cheesy pizza cravings just yet. At Pure Milk Centre, you can order a very simple masala dosa with the cheese burst, lining every inch of your stomach. The place looks like any other milk centre with a few plastic chairs, table fans and a two page menu card. It is when you order the dosa, you release the enormity and the purity of this place. Laden with creamy, gooey, liquid cheese fest on top of the crisp, this dosa gives us a serious artery choke slam.
Cost: An angiogram costs more than this dosa @ Rs. 170 (it’s still worth it)
IX. Cheese Pasta Dosa @ Pure Milk Centre
Coming back to this anomaly in the galaxy, Pure Milk Centre is giving us serious Milky Way goals. Their Pasta dosa, you read that right, is complete with Italian seasoning, oregano, an arabiatta base and dollops of butter and two types of cheese besides the basic vegetable variety. This dosa is going to launch you into a deep, spacey coma. Enjoy the ride!
Cost: One step for man, giant leap for cheese @ Rs.180
X. Pav Bhaji Dosa @ Sai Krupa Stall
Where: Khau Galli, opposite Vile Parle (West) railway station.
The name of this moving cart could be Sai Ashirwad or Sai Krupa Prasann but you may fold your hands and bow your heads to the king of dosa here, the Pav Bhaji Dosa. It is so crowded even on weekends, that the servers forget how much you ordered and lose track of the mounting bills. Apart from hundreds of varieties, these dosa makers have a really strong game. You will not miss the Pav in their Pav Bhaji Dosa as they smash the ingredients on the crisp batter itself. Do order another Sada Dosa just to finish up the over-flowing Bhaji.
Cost: @ Rs.100 you’re being blessed with a healthy happy meal
Words: Preksha Malu
Research: Tanya Maheshwari