Malvani cuisine originated in the South Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa. It is predominantly non-vegetarian, but there are quite a few vegetarian dishes too. Malvan is a town in the Sindhudurg district on the west coast of Maharashtra.
We visited the Highway Malvani Eatery situated on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway, close Vasai phata. Authentic Malvani food is served here. Amongst the usual Malvani dishes, we came here to eat the Malvani chicken misal pav. We also ordered fish matka curry and chicken vindaloo.
The food was really good and if you wish to eat the real Malvani food, then this restaurant will not disappoint you.
Salient features of Malvani cuisine:
Use of coconut:
The coconut is used liberally in various forms such as grated, dry-grated, fried, coconut paste and coconut milk.
Use of spices:
The coarsely ground Malvani masala, a form of dried powder masala, is a combination of 15 to 16 dry spices viz dried red chillies and coriander seeds, peppercorns, cumin, cardamom, ginger and garlic. Some dishes also use kokum and dried kokum, tamarind, and raw mango.
Some well-known main course Malvani dishes:
1. Kombdi vade or chicken Malvani, is traditional Malvani chicken curry and vade is a puri made from Jowar or rice and lentils flour.
2. Malvani mutton curry is a favourite dish throughout the Konkan region.
3. Bombil fry or Bombay duck fry is also a popular dish.
4. Paplet saar is a dish consisting of pomfret cooked in traditional Malvani fish curry.
5. Malvani.Bangda fry is one of Mumbai's popular dishes.
7. Kolambi fry is a common dish of prawns marinated in spices and rolled in a mixture of rice flour and semolina before frying.
8. Phanasachi bhaji is a vegetarian dish, made from raw jackfruit, chillies and grated coconut.
9. Kaju chi or fakachi usal is a very spicy curry of cashew nuts.
10. Solkadhi is an appetizing drink made from coconut milk and kokum.
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