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Those who relish seafood and aren’t allergic to shellfish will readily admit that few under-the-sea options match up to a well-cooked prawn. Other seafood just can’t quite match up in terms of versatility and flavour. As a city, Mumbai is particularly lucky to be located alongside the sea because it opens up an entire avenue of incredible cuisine that is unrivalled in other Indian culinary capitals. Seafood in Delhi just doesn’t taste as good, or as fresh. And while we’re not trying to start a Mumbai vs. Delhi food debate, it’s true. They might have their kebabs and their butter chicken, but we have the entire gamut of coastal cuisine in our corner. And boy, does Mumbai deliver.
From Konkani and Malvani masala-crusted specialities, to Chinese preparations and even fusion, Mumbai has no dearth of delicious, fresh prawns for the crustacean loving community. We’ve put together a list of 22 dishes from 22 places, which, in our opinion, are some of the city’s best prawn offerings. Scroll down and let the gluttony begin.
[Note to readers--all restaurants have been chronicled in alphabetical order, and in no particular order of preference for the dishes.]
I. Prawn Ghee Roast at Ab’s, Mahim
Ab’s is very popular and it’s easy to see why. Their fish is always fresh, their service is prompt and their food is delicious. Their Prawn Ghee Roast is the stuff of legend too. The shellfish is marinated in a variety of ingredients including tamarind, chilli and turmeric, and shallow fried. The prawns take on the flavour of the marinade and then doused in ghee, only to be cooked further. The result is a spicy, velvety and absolutely delicious prawn dish.
Cost: Depends on the size of prawns ordered.
II. Prawn Masala at Chaitanya, Dadar
Chaitanya is the go-to for those looking for authentic, home-style Malvani food. The place is small, so plan ahead of time because there’s always a waitlist. At Chaitanya, the Prawn Masala is what you need to get. It’s got that characteristic Malvani fire to it and is best washed down with their homemade guava or raw mango sharbat.
Cost: Rs. 245
III. Prawn Treasures of Konkan at Fresh Catch, Mahim
The name of this dish is a giveaway. Prawn Treasures of Konkan at Mahim’s Fresh Catch is a dry masala prawn dish that goes especially well with neer dosa. Order a couple of these light rice dosas, wrap up a prawn, and toss it into your mouth for complete tasting pleasures.
Cost: Rs. 380
IV. Prawn Curry Rice at Goa Portuguesa, Mahim
You can’t have an article on best prawn dishes without having at least one curry on it. And we’re curry connoisseurs to the core so when we say that the Prawn Curry Rice at Goa Portuguesa is not to be missed, you know you’ve got to try it. It’s hot, it’s spicy and it’s downright delicious. It’s also as close as you can get to the real stuff you get on the beaches of Goa. Start off with some pav and sop up the curry on your plate to whet your appetite. Round two calls for the rice—load up. Tip: Finish it off with some bebinca. You won’t be sorry.
Cost: Rs. 495
V. Kolambi Fry at Highway Gomantak, Bandra East
People flock to Highway Gomantak from all over the city, and it only takes one visit to see why. Seafood is what it’s about at this place, and while the cooking may be simple it’s exactly what you’ll crave when all else fails. We’re repeat offenders as far as their Kolambi Fry is concerned. It’s got just the right amount of masala and one plate is never enough.
Cost: Depends on the size of prawns ordered
VI. Prawns Pulimunchi at Jai Hind Lunch Home, Lower Parel/Bandra
There’s not much one can say about Jai Hind Lunch Home that hasn’t already been said, so we’ll just skip to the good part, their Prawns Pulimunchi. The dish is tangy and spicy, the tamarind and chilli really shine through and you’d be crazy not to order it.
Cost: Rs. 250
VII. Punjabi Prawns Fry at Jai Jawan, Bandra/Khar
Widely acclaimed to be the best prawn dish in Bandra, Jai Jawan’s Punjabi Prawns Fry is unarguably delicious. The prawns are marinated in their secret recipe and deep-fried. And they come to you piping hot every single time. Douse in lime and pick them off the plate one by one. Sharing is highly recommended but make sure you get a couple of plates if you’re a decent-sized group.
Cost: Depending on the size ordered
VIII. Curdee Mango Prawns at Konkan Café, Vivanta by Taj President, Cuffe Parade
Konkan Café was the result of the hard work Chef Ananda Solomon—he spent a long period of time down South in small homes on the Konkan Coast convincing people to part with their family recipes and learning the kinds of trips and tricks one can only pick up from cooks who have been doing it for decades. Konkan Café prides itself on its ‘fresh and seasonal’ approach to food, and nowhere is that more apparent than in their Curdee Mango: grated raw mango cooked with curry leaves, onions, green chilies and garlic. Once the spice mix is ready, small prawns marinated in turmeric and lime juice are added in.
IX. Pepper Fry Prawns at Lings Pavilion, Colaba
Ever since we were kids, Lings Pavilion has had a special place in our hearts. We’re not sure whether it’s the Chinese themed decor, the ceiling that’s been decked out to look like the starry night sky, the fishpond and its little bridge, or just the food that makes dining at Lings an all-round experience, but we have a feeling it’s a combination of all. It’s been the one consistently great Chinese restaurant in town and has been serving tasty food for decades. The menu is vast, but don’t worry, the first prawn dish you need to try is the Pepper Fry Prawns. We won’t blame you for not ordering anything else on your next visit.
Cost: Rs. 450
X. Hunan Prawns at Mainland China, Malad West
Hunan Prawns are one of those guilty Chinese mainstays that you get practically everywhere, much like Manchurian Chicken and Golden Fried Prawns. But very few places actually get the nuances of Hunan Prawns just right. Thankfully, Mainland China is one of them. This dish packs plenty of heat, be warned.
Cost: Rs. 625
XI. Bacon Wrapped Prawns at Mamagoto, Fort, Bandra
When Delhi’s famous Mamagoto opened its doors in Mumbai on Hill Road, getting a reservation was practically impossible. If you’re one of the lucky few who’ve tried this restaurant in the capital you’ll understand why. The menu is expansive and the inventive. Park yourself at a table and order the Bacon Wrapped Prawns. The plump, juicy prawns are wrapped in bacon and grilled just right—neither the prawns nor bacon are overcooked. Tip: Ask for an extra portion of the amazing dipping sauce they give with the prawns. It tastes like it has soy and honey, but they won’t divulge.
Cost: Rs. 450
XII. Curry Leaf and Pepper Prawns at Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, BKC
Trust Jiggs Kalra to put his contemporary spin onto everything. In this dish, curry leaf flavoured pepper prawns are served on a bed of South Indian curd rice and garnished with banana crisps. You won’t regret the order, and your stomach won’t feel like you ate out either.
Cost: Rs. 425
XIII. Mrs. Yvonne Pinto’s Masala Prawn Pickle at Monkey Bar, Bandra
You may not like pickle, but trust us, this one is very different. Mrs. Yvonne Pinto’s Masala Prawn Pickle at Monkey Bar consists of fresh prawns picked in vinegar and Mrs. Pinto’s secret spices served with crisp brun pav. Tear off in large chunks and dip away. You’d better believe that small prawns pack the biggest flavour punch.
Cost: Rs. 220
XIV. Daab Chingri at Oh! Calcutta, Tardeo
Oh! Calcutta, located in a quiet Tardeo bylane, might seem to be discreetly tucked away, but that’s a wrong assumption to make. The place is packed most nights with everyone from local Bengalis craving home food to foreigners curious to try the rich cuisine of Bengal. There are a few things you simply have to order when you’re here. One is the Railway Mutton, the second is the smoked hilsa, the third is the mustard fish, and the fourth and best is the Daab Chingri. It’s a Bengali prawn curry that’s cooked and served in a green coconut, and it’s absolutely delicious. It’s rich, creamy, unbelievably tender, with a hint of a sweet note underneath.
Cost: Rs. 620
XV. Steamed Scampi at Pa Pa Ya, Lower Parel
Pa Pa Ya’s Steamed Scampi is what we have visions of on long, lazy work days when we just want to kick back with a satisfying dish and maybe a glass of chilled white wine to go along with it. To make this dish, Pa Pa Ya steams Dublin Bay prawns with ginger and scallion till they’re cooked just right. The result is a succulent prawn dish where the flavour of the crustacean really comes out and isn’t overpowered by the other ingredients.
Cost: Rs. 550
XVI. Prawn Roll at Pal’s Fish Corner, Bandra
Ask any Bandra local where you get the best seafood rolls and they’ll inevitably say Pal’s. Their Prawn Roll has people congregating outside the tiny eatery at all hours, awaiting their turn to chomp down.
Cost: Rs. 150
XVII. Prawn Dim Sum at Royal China, Fort
Royal China’s famous dim sums are all excellent, but we have a soft spot for their prawn dim sum in particular. The prawns are steamed just right (they’re still soft), and the dim sum wrapping is paper thin—just the way it’s supposed to be. Not a thick, glutinous covering like you’ll find at many other Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. This ensures the flavours of the crustacean really come through with full force.
Cost: Rs. 350
XVIII. Prawns Sukke at Sadichha, Bandra East
Sadichha is a humble little eating joint in Bandra East that’s known for its Malwani and Konkani cuisine, especially the seafood. If you’ve never been, it’s time to visit. Order the Prawns Sukke for a delicious start to your meal.
Cost: Rs. 210
XIX. Chettinad Prawns Ali Yolio at The Bombay Canteen, Lower Parel
The Bombay Canteen’s Chettinad Prawns Ali Yolio is superb. If you like your seafood with a dash of invention, this dish will be just what you’re looking for. The prawns are sautéed in ginger, garlic and tamarind in prawn oil and spiced aglio olio. The dish is served with pav to make it easy to soak up every last bit and soak it up you should. Their prawn curry is right up there too, according to us.
Cost: Rs. 400
XX. Prawns Koliwada at The Excellensea, Fort
In an area that’s crammed to bursting point with all sorts of eateries, the business district of Fort still has a few culinary gems to boast of. The Excellensea is one of such place. Patrons have been dining here for years and many even swear that it’s their favourite seafood place in all of Mumbai. And the dish they do exceptionally well one that’s almost unofficially the patron saint of local prawn dishes in Mumbai —Prawns Koliwada. The prawns are marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, besan, red chilli powder and more, before being deep-fried. The result is a crunchy, spicy dish that’s packed with flavour.
Cost: Rs. 600
XXI. Butter Garlic Prawns at Trishna, Fort
As far as iconic seafood establishments go, Trishna is right up near the top. It’s pricey but you’re not going to find very many restaurants that come close, especially with their simple butter-garlic recipe. They use it for prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, fish…practically anything. But it goes the best with their prawns and crabs. Big chunky prawns tossed in their signature safeguarded butter-garlic sauce served hot.
Cost: Rs. 675
XXII. Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun at Yauatcha, BKC
Yauatcha is much loved and widely considered to serve the best dim sum in the city. But what they really do exceptionally well is their Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun. The prawn is first fried in a crispy, crunchy batter of sorts before being wrapped in the delicate, almost translucent, cheung fun (rice noodle wrap). The resulting texture is wonderful: soft and silky gives way to satisfying crunch.
Cost: Rs. 595
Representational feature image via Yummly.
Research: Raj Rege
[If we missed out on some glorious prawn dish that makes all your culinary dreams come true, don’t hold out on us or other readers. Let us know in the comments section below.]
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