Taking a cue from the Japanese ‘warmth is life’ concept, there’s nothing that brings more warmth and life to our own country than khichdi. Khichdi is India’s real MVP—right from a baby’s initiation to solid food, to a quick meal for a family, it is present in every home as a dish that can both conform and comfort.
You may like it as a mushy and gooey delicacy or terribly dry (clearly, we aren’t biased), you may prefer it laden with innovative combinations or sparse in its choice of ingredients, you may be a Khichdi lover or shrug it off as hospital food but there is no denying the fact that Khichdi is always there to save you when you need it.
A champion of Satvik food considered pious and spiritual, it is made from crushed foodgrains or whole grains mixed with different lentlils available in different parts of the country. You can say that Khichdi is as versatile as potatoes because you can have it plain, with mixed vegetables, dry fruits and with a side of kadhi, curd, pickle, papad or curry. You can even mix in a bit of chicken if you like! Khichdi is a one-pot manifestation of the food pyramid with a healthy dose of carbohydrates, dairy, fibres, proteins and minerals and let’s not forget the spoonfuls of ghee that are infused in the dish.
Khichdi is the oldest and safest dish you can consume without feeling guilty and these options are surely going to please your spiritual layers along with the gastronomical ones.
P.S. — It’s also the best damn monsoon food there is. Just don’t forget to mix it with a plate full of pakodas.
I. Sabudana Khichdi at Aaswad
Where: Shivaji Park, Dadar
If you are not a fan of mushy Khichdi (shame on you) there are dry varieties like the Sabudana Khichdi at Aaswad that might do the trick. Usually a meal for fasting people, this dish is cooked without carbs like rice and dal by using sago as a substitute along with semi-hard fried potatoes and peanuts for the bite factor. If you have grown up in Maharashtra, you know you can eat Sabudana khichdi anytime of the day for any meal without a single thread coming loose in your pocket. A crowd favourite, Sabudana is the friendly Sabu alien from Jupiter that you need in your life.
Cost: The cost of our bad Chacha Chaudhary pun at INR 50.
II. Oats Khichdi at Banana Leaf
Where: Andheri, Kandivali, Ghatkopar, Thane, Dombivali
Banana Leaf has done a one-up from the already wholesome Khichdi by adding oats to it. This predominantly South Indian joint has a history of serving quality authentic food and their oats khichdi doesn’t disappoint. Forget the usual asafoetida, cardamom, cloves, red chillies and the likes, this joint has their lessons in spices memorized like the grand old Keralan elephant. Not just oats, but they have also experimented with Daliya Khichdi and Soya Khichdi! You won’t ever have to order a side dish with this one-pot meal.
Cost: Shake your head like a Theyyam dancer at the unbelievable price of at INR 170.
III. Ven Pongal at Dakshinayan
Where: Juhu and Malabar Hills
Instead of ordering the obvious mini Idlis at Dakshinayan, take a minute to order our lord and saviour Ven Pongal. It is a holy matrimony of lentils, rice, milk, pepper and curry leaves mixed with chunky pieces of cashewnuts. The best reason for them to add coarse and undelightful pepper balls in the dish might be to stop you from choking because once you begin, you just won’t stop. This household south Indian breakfast item is the Rajnikanth of all dishes, because it will solve all your problems.
Cost: Order up with one tumbler of sambhar at INR 160 (A sweet variety is also available!)
IV. Vrindavan Khichdi at Khichdi Samrat
Where: 44/46, VP Road, CP Tank, Girgaum
When Lord Krishna grew up in Vrindavan, little did he know that a Khichdi would be named after it. There are many stories attributing this khichdi as his favourite dish and there’s no reason to miss out on Khichdi Samrat rightly named as the King of Khichdi. A mix of different foodgrains with an intense amount of vegetables and spices, this Khichdi is nothing less than royal when it comes served with dry fruits like cashews and raisins. Served with Raita, Curry and Papad, you can only dip into this holiness by piercing the layer of ghee.
Cost: Sing the lord’s prayers at INR 130. We also recommend the Makai Paneer Khichdi, Dry Fruit Khichdi and Cheese Khichdi.
V. Chicken Khichdi Masala at Lucky Restaurant
Where: Junction Of SV Road & Hill Road, Hill Road, Bandra West
Giving serious culture shocks to the Satvik world of Khichdis, Lucky has given a new dimension to regular ol’ khichdi. This dish is the usual yellow dal khichdi albeit with a hell of a lot more flavour, served with seriously generous amounts of chicken that won’s leave you with mixed feelings even if not mixed lentils. Not packing the serious health punch most others ensure, this one will surely give your metabolism the push it needs.
Cost: Give Mohd. Ali Road a break for once at INR 260.
VI. Palak Khichdi @ Papa Pancho Da Dhaba
Where: Gasper Enclave, St John’s Road, Near Rupee Bank, Pali Hill, Bandra West
If you want to be an Iron man or Milind Soman, we suggest you tank up on some spinach. What better way than to guzzle down Palak Khichdi at Papa Pancho Da Dhaba? The Dhaba is known for their extravagant Punjabi experience but even Punjabis need to push a pause button on their world domination plans when they come here. The Khichdi comes with ample amount of ammunition in the form of ghee. Served in copper coated plates and bowls, this green will make your blues go away.
Cost: Lower your defenses at INR 225.
VII. Masala Fada Khichdi With Kadhi at Soam
Where: Ground Floor, Sadguru Sadan, Opposite Babulnath Temple, Chowpatty
Famous for their varieties of Khichdis and the crowds they attract, Soam surpasses our expectations when it comes to Masala Fada Khichdi with Kadhi. A chunkier cousin of the regular khichdi, it comes with magical pieces of potato, cauliflowers and green peas. Add the warm hug of Kadhi to it and you have the right to curl up in your blanket for a long nap. It’s not for nothing that Khichdi is India’s soul food.
Cost: Deserves its own television serial at INR 250.
VIII. Baked Masala Khichdi at Swati Snacks
Where: 248, Karai Estate, Opposite Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo Road, Tardeo.
No matter how many times we include Swati Snacks in our list, these guys always come up with something unforgettable. Case in point: Baked Masala Khichdi. They have given this khichdi a much needed twist with the crunchy birista (crispy fried onions) usually found on top of biryanis. Now, imagine putting this gooey lentil and vegetable filled mess in your mouth and cracking the fried onions along the way and Gujjus will tell you that you’ve arrived at Vaikunth (Heaven). It is a home-made fare with the tangy, savoury feel of a Gujarati restaurant.
Cost: Take some curd along the stairway to heaven at INR 260. (They have many more varieties of Khichdis to explore too and they’re all pretty damn good.)
Research by: Tanya Maheshwari