Bhelpuri

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Bhelpuri (Hindi भेलपूरी, Marathi भेळ) is a snack synonymous with the beaches of Mumbai (Bombay), such as Chowpatty. The snack is available all across India, and may be known by different names - Bhelpuri in Mumbai, Jhaal Muri in Kolkata.

Puffed rice and sev, a fried snack made from besan flour, form the base of the bhel. Bhel puri is made from finely cut tomatoes, onions and chillies added to the base. Other versions of the snack include potatoes in a spicy onion base. Chutneys may be added to give it a sweet or spicy flavour. Sev, a chickpea based topping is sprinkled and garnished with coriander leaves and lime. It is then served with toasted puris, (a deep fried wheat bread). The result is a sour/pungent/sweet tasting evening snack.

Bhel puri is usually made with two different "chutneys" (Hindi for sauce) - one spicy chutney made of green chilli and the other sweet chutney made of dates or tamarind. Diced red onion, diced tomatoes, thin sev, cilantro leaves and peanuts are the other ingredients of the standard bhelpuri. Some add pomegranate seeds or diced raw mango for better taste.

Other types of cuisines available on the beaches of mumbai include pani puri, cham cham, Kachoori, ragda, and pav bhaji. Bhelpuri was originally a Gujarati fast food, it later got merged with Mumbai culture and became synonumous with Mumbai.