Maharashtra Day, also known as Maharashtra Din, commemorates the formation of the state of Maharashtra on 1 May 1960, following the division of the Bombay State. Historians note that the day is celebrated with official ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs across the state, with the main festivities taking place at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. While the state engages in a variety of cultural activities, food enthusiasts find the best way to celebrate by indulging in the vibrant street food scene, which offers a diverse array of flavors. To mark this occasion, here are 11 Maharashtrian street foods that every foodie should try to appreciate the culinary legacy of the state.
1. Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji consists of pav (bread rolls) generously layered with butter, served with a curry made from mashed potatoes and boiled vegetables, seasoned with pav bhaji masala. It is typically accompanied by onion and lemon wedges on the side.
2. Vada Pav
Vada Pav is a popular Maharashtrian snack featuring deep-fried potato dumplings placed inside a sliced bread bun. It is served with dry garlic chutney and fried green chili, offering a spicy and satisfying bite.
3. Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a spicy breakfast dish made with sprouted lentils, spices, and a fiery red curry. It is served with pav, finely chopped onions, and lemon wedges, providing a hearty and flavorful start to the day.
4. Bhel Puri
Bhel Puri is a crunchy snack made with puffed rice, mixed with boiled potato dices, spices, onion, green chili, lemon juice, coriander leaves, and sev (crispy noodles). It offers a delightful combination of textures and tangy flavors.
5. Pani Puri
Also known as Puchka or Golgappa, Pani Puri consists of hollow, crispy, small puris filled with a mixture of spicy, tangy, and savory ingredients, typically including tamarind water, chickpeas, and potatoes.
6. Ragda Patties
Ragda Patties features a gravy made from white peas cooked with a variety of spices, served with mashed potato cakes. This dish is a popular street food that combines soft patties with a flavorful curry.
7. Kanda Bhaji
Kanda Bhaji refers to deep-fried pakodas made with onions mixed in besan (gram flour) batter, seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices. It is best enjoyed with green mint chutney.
8. Sabudana Vada
Sabudana Vada is a deep-fried dish made with soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls) mixed with mashed potatoes, and seasoned with vegetables, spices, green chili, and coriander leaves. It is typically served with green chutney.
9. Dabeli
Dabeli is a spiced potato mixture encased in a pav, garnished with pomegranate seeds and peanuts. It offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, spicy, and crunchy flavors in one bite. Often compared to vada pav, dabeli is more layered and chutney-rich.
10. Frankie
Frankie is a thin wheat roti filled with crisp aloo tikki, vegetables, curd, and chutneys. It also comes in non-vegetarian variations, making it a versatile and satisfying street food.
11. Kanda Poha
Kanda Poha is made with soaked flattened rice, onions, roasted peanuts, curry leaves, mustard seeds, salt, coriander leaves, and lemon juice. It is a light yet flavorful dish, often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack.
