Priyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it's not Vada Pav

Actress Priyanka Chopa Jonas is known for celebrating her Indian roots. From aloo paratha to vada pav, she enjoys all things Indian. While she has been living abroad, her love for Indian festivals and foods is quite evident, as she frequently shares joyful moments on social media that connect her to her roots in India. In a recent interview with Conde Nast Traveller, the actress once again proved her love for Indian food. Scroll down to read the details.

According to reports, when she was asked to pick one Indian dish that every first‑time visitor should try. Speaking in the interview, Priyanka explained that selecting a single dish is tough because “India is so diverse, and as you move around states and cities, the food and spices change.” But when asked specifically about Mumbai, she didn't hesitate and said that one dish every new traveller to Mumbai should try is Bhel. She described it as a street snack made with puffed rice and a mix of tangy, crunchy additions. She also highlighted the charm of how it's served - “in like a cone newspaper.”

According to Taste Atlas, Bhelpuri (also spelled bhel puri) is a type of chaat - a savory snack that is commonly served in cafés and street carts throughout India. There is a lot of debate about what should go in a bhelpuri, but the most commonly used ingredients include puffed rice, ground nuts, potatoes, onions, and chilis. Tamarind or date chutneys are commonly used to give the dish a spicy flavor. The dish is extremely popular in Mumbai, where it is usually enjoyed as a beach snack or comfort food. Although there is no clear evidence about the time of bhelpuri's origin, it is believed that the snack was invented by an unknown Gujarati migrant. What makes bhel special is its texture contrast—crispy puffed rice, crunchy sev, juicy veggies, and flavorful chutneys all mixed together just before serving. It has to be eaten immediately, or it turns soggy. Bhel comes in three main variations. Sukha Bhel, Geela Bhel, and Papdi Bhel.

According to legends, the tradition of serving bhel in paper cone closely tied to the evolution of street food culture in Mumbai during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is believed that back in time, vendors needed a quick, low-cost, and portable way to serve it to walking crowds and that is when the solution came from repurposing old newspapers and magazines, which were easily available and inexpensive. The vendors started rolling them into cones and slowly the cone design made it easy to mix ingredients directly inside and hand it over to customers.

It is a simple and low-calorie snack that can be easily made at home. Take a look at the simple recipe.
Ingredients: 2 cups puffed rice, ½ cup sev, 1 small onion, 1 small tomato, 1 boiled potato, 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, 1 green chilli, 2 tbsp tamarind chutney, 1 tbsp green chutney, ½ tsp chaat masala, ¼ tsp red chilli powder, salt to taste, and 1 tsp lemon juice

Method: Finely chop the veggies and set them aside. Take a deep mixing bowl and combine all the ingredients.Give it a gentle mix and serve it a paper cone. Enjoy!