This vada pav (wada pav) is one of the popular Mumbai street foods! This version (shown in step by step photos) is just as good as the kind you get from street vendors in Mumbai, Maharashtra. I have also shared another version (method) which you get in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
What is Mumabi Vada Pav?
This is a popular Mumbai street food you’ll find people snacking on throughout India (not only in Mumbai). This is loved by everyone whether kids or adults.
Here spiced, mashed potato balls are batter-coated and deep-fried. They are called batata vada. Then batata vada (with 3 different kinds of chutneys) is sandwiched in the Indian buns (aka ladi pav or pao). You can call it a budget-friendly Indian burger.
As per wiki, one of the vendors (Ashok Vaidya) of Dadar station was selling batata vada and poha. One day, he decided to put the vada between the pav with garlic chutney and that became a hit. And now it is very popular all over India (in many stalls and restaurants).
When I was in India, I used to eat vada pav at least once a week. Yes, I was that addicted along with dabeli. At that time, I liked to eat at only one place in Ahmedabad (R.K center at Vijay crossroad). They had the BEST vada pav that I loved. Nowadays I think there are many new, good stalls present.
After coming to the USA, I do not find good one that satisfy my craving. So I occasionally make this homemade vada pav.
I mostly make it the way mentioned in #2. But here I wanted to share the authentic version which I tried in Mumbai when I went there for my visa interview.
How to make vada pav?
1) First, prepare all three chutneys. I usually make them a day before. #1. green coriander chutney #2. Tamarind-date chutney #3. Dry garlic chutney.
Or you can buy these chutneys from Indian grocery stores or buy online from amazon. I prefer these brands - green chutney, tamarind date chutney, vada pav chutney.
2) Now you can follow this recipe (with photos, instructions) and make batata vada.
Or buy the frozen batata vada from the Indian grocery store. I prefer nanak brand, but other brands like swad, haldiram are also available.
3) Let's start assembling. Take ladi pavs.
4) Slit into half horizontally and keep the one side connected.
5) Spread green chutney both sides.
6) Now spread tamarind date chutney.
7) followed by dry garlic chutney.
8) Put the warm batata vada and using your fingers slightly mash it/press it.
9) and close the pav. Repeat the same for rest of the pav.
Serving suggestion: Serve as a snack with fried green chili on the side. If needed you can serve more chutneys on the side too.
Check out more Indian street food recipes
Pav bhaji // Ragda patties // Sukha bhel // Pani puri
Vada pav recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Batata vada
- ½ cup Green coriander chutney
- ½ cup Meethi chutney (Tamarind date chutney)
- ½ cup Dry garlic chutney
- 8 Ladi pav
- Green chili as needed, deep fried
Instructions
- First, prepare all three chutneys. I usually make them a day before. Or you can buy these chutneys from Indian grocery stores or buy online from amazon.
- Now make batata vada. Or buy the frozen batata vada from the Indian grocery store. I prefer nanak brand, but other brands like swad, haldiram are also available.
- Let’s start assembling. Take ladi pavs. Alternately, you can use hamburger buns.
- Slit into half horizontally and keep the one side connected.
- Spread green chutney both sides, followed by tamarind date chutney and dry garlic chutney.
- Put the warm batata vada and using your fingers slightly mash it/press it.
- and close the pav. Repeat the same for rest of the pav.
- Serve as a snack with fried green chili on the side. If needed you can serve more chutneys on the side.
Notes
- Heat tava or pan on medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter.
- Once butter is melted, add 2-3 teaspoons of dry garlic chutney and mix.
- Now put the slit ladi pav (inside part on tawa) on this mixture. Pav will soak up all the butter and chutney. Toast it for some time. Then remove it to a plate.
- Proceed with the same assembling procedure. Apply green chutney, followed by tamarind date chutney. Now you can skip the garlic chutney since we already added while toasting pav.
- Put the batata vada and close. Serve right away.
Wow, loved this recipe and also your presentation! Just followed your comments @ my space and reached here! 🙂 Lovely recipes, I must try at-least some of them! Liked your space on Facebook..so that I can get the updates there 🙂
Cheers!
Vani
Thanks for dropping by and following spiceupthecurry.com. 🙂
i am so thrilled by your photos! gorgeous!