“Khichdi” Memories

This morning I went to watch the Movie “Talvar” at City Pride Multiplex Cinema at Kothrud in Pune.

After watching the engrossing film – it was lunchtime and I felt hungry – so I went down to the solitary restaurant in the Multiplex called “Cafe VegEatarian”.

I saw an item on the menu: “DAL KHICHDI”

Since I am “dieting” – I ordered “Dal Khichdi” – though I was tempted to order the more “richer” dishes like “Pav Bhaji” “Shahi Paneer/Naan” etc

I am glad I made this choice – the DAL KHICHDI was very tasty and fulfilling – and here is a picture of the Dal Khichdi I ate for lunch this afternoon (first helping)

DAL KHICHDI

  

This “Dal Khichdi” evoked in my mind nostalgic mouthwatering memories of my favourite Khichdi Restaurant in Mumbai called Khichdi Samrat located in the heart of Mumbai.

So – I decided to delve deep into my foodie writing archives and pull out an foodie story I wrote after my first visit to “Khichdi Samrat” around 15 years ago in the year 2000, I think.

This story also features in my Foodie Book APPETITE FOR A STROLL (pp 38 - 40).

I wonder whether this delightful eatery in the heart of Mumbai still exists – and if so – is “Khichdi Samrat” still the same unpretentious eatery – or has it changed and become a highfalutin restaurant.

So – Dear Reader and Fellow Foodie – here is the “memoir” – suitably abridged and revised – for you to savour.

Happy “Eating” !!!

MOUTHWATERING MUMBAI MEMORIES

I Spent the Six Best Years of My Life in Mumbai – 6 glorious years from the years 2000 to 2006.

During these six best years of my life, I lived in EMPRESS COURT – my all time favourite home – the best house I have ever lived in during my entire life.

I wish I could have had my retirement home in that lovely neighbourhood – or nearby – but then – can any honest naval officer afford a house in South Mumbai?

Maybe a Merchant Navy Officer can afford a house in “So Bo” (South Bombay) – but if you have spent your life honestly serving the nation in the “Fauji” Indian Navy – forget about Mumbai – you will not be able to afford a home in the heart of Pune – and you would probably have to settle down in some faraway suburb like Wakad or Baner or Kharadi – or in one of those military veteran “fauji ghettos” like Mundhwa, Kondhwa or Mohammadwadi where most retired service officers have settled down.

But in your mind’s eye – you can always hark back – and relive your “good old days” with nostalgia. 

That is what I did on this afternoon after relishing the delicious “Dal Khichdi” – I reminisced about my glorious evening “Food Walk” in Mumbai to “Khichdi Samrat”.

Eating Out in Mumbai

KHICHDI SAMRAT

Mouthwatering Memories of a Food Walk

By

VIKRAM KARVE

(This an abridged/revised version of a foodie “memoir” written by me 15 years ago in the year 2000)

I have just had some “Khichdi” – no, not the yummy lip smacking “sabudanya chi khichadi” my wife gorges and devours by the plateful whenever she is “fasting” – but the bland Khichdi made of rice and dal that you are given to eat when you are convalescing. 

It’s supposed to be light on the stomach – it gives you strength – and it helps you recuperate. 

My daughter is ill – hence the Khichdi. 

The Khichdi I ate was awful – it was fatless – there was no pure ghee in it – as desired by my darling daughter. 

In fact – it was so tasteless and insipid that it brought back nostalgic mouthwatering memories of wholesome Khichdi I had savoured at Khichdi Samrat on near CP Tank in Mumbai.

 

To reach “Khichdi Samrat” – walk up Kalbadevi Road from Metro – turn left at the Cotton Exchange – walk past Panjrapole towards Bhuleshwar – turn right on VP Road towards CP Tank – and soon – on your right – you will see Khichdi Samrat – an unpretentious down-to-earth eatery. 

In fact the restaurant is so humble and modest that make sure you don’t miss it and walk on to CP Tank! 

It is a small place – but I always found a seat. 

Maybe they send out more parcels than have patrons eating in situ.

 

You can also walk up from Crawford Market – through Zaveri Bazar – past the Gold Exchange and Mumbadevi Temple – to Cotton Exchange.

Or – you can come down from Bhendi Bazar via Pydhonie down Kalbadevi Road – and turn right at the Cotton Exchange. 

In case you live in the western suburbs – take a train – and get down at Charni Road station – climb the overbridge at southern [Churchgate] end – turn left – walk straight down Thakurdwar Road – cross Girgaum (JSS) Road – continue past Vinay Lunch Home (you’ll be tempted to hop in for a Misal) – turn left at Bhuleshwar on VP Road towards CP tank.

 

When I used to stay at Churchgate – I used to walk down Marine Drive towards Chowpatty, cross the road near Taraporewala Aquarium – take the lane between Kaivalyadhama Yoga Centre and Savitribai Phule Ladies Hostel – (the lane is called Income Tax Lane) – cross the railway overbridge at the southern end of Charni Road Station on the Western Railway – and walk briskly on to my destination. 

Don’t try to drive down – you’ll go crazy negotiating your way – and besides a brisk walk on a hot and humid Mumbai evening will build up in you a voracious appetite – quite conducive – in fact sine qua non for total enjoyment of – and to do full justice to – the delicious nourishing food you are going to partake of in Khichdi Samrat. 

Besides – your march through the crowded gritty bustling streets of Mumbai will prepare you for the gastronomic adventure.

 

You will be surprised – but the first time I went to Khichdi Samrat – one Sunday evening – I did not eat Khichdi.

Maybe this was because of my “mental map” associating “Khichdi” as convalescence-food.

Or – maybe because “Dal Bati” was listed on the menu board as a “Sunday Special” – and I was curious to sample this dish which I had never tasted till that day – tasty wheat flour balls in scrumptious dal with plenty of pure ghee – it was indeed delicious and satiating.

But – on my subsequent visits – I tried all the varieties of Khichdi.

 

There are 10 varieties of Khichdi – ranging from the bland Plain Khichdi to the Special Dry Fruit Khichdi – and I have tried all of them – one on each visit – and I especially liked the Masala and Vrindavan Khichdis. 

Do embellish your Khichdi with a Papad of your choice – there is an impressive array of 10 types of Papads to choose from – and I particularly liked the Masala Papad.

 

To my delight – I found the other dishes on the menu like the Methi Malai Mutter, Koftas, Kurmas and Paneer gravies very delicious too – and so is the excellent satisfying Thali with a medley of dishes. 

So – if you go there in a group – don’t restrict yourself to Khichdi. 

And don’t forget to try different rotis and parathas including those made of maka (corn), bajra and the delicious stuffed versions.

 

Start off with a jal jeera – have chaas to accompany your meal – and end with a Gulab Jamun or Rabdi.

Or – better still – walk down to “Bhaishankar Gaurishankar” nearby to end your repast with some chilled soothingly-sweet Rasgullas.

 

The next time you are in the heart of Mumbai – do have some Khichdi at Khichdi Samrat – or – if you prefer – have a full-fledged meal  – and do tell us all about it.

And – will some fellow Foodie from Mumbai please tell us whether this delightful eatery still exists and is going strong.

Happy Eating.

VIKRAM KARVE

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All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Revised Version of My Foodie Article Written by me Vikram Karve in the year 2000 and Earlier Posted Online in my Blogs by me Vikram Karve at urls: http://food.sulekha.com/khichdi-samrat-id3971-39402-recipe.htm  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/eating-out-in-mumbai-khichdi-samrat.html  etc