China(in)Town - Roadside Stalls

Pardon the terrible attempt at punnery with the title. But then, it's in keeping with the topic of this post, if you think about it, really.
The roadside Chinese vendors in the city are just that... Attempts at Chinese. And personally, if you're going to bastardize the cuisine (which I have no problems with, whatsoever) you might as well do it like the street-vendors do.
I mean, honestly, there is nothing more satisfying than digging into a plate of warm rice or noodles that you know you bought for 25 bucks. And this exists. On the road that runs parallel to the main road from Flora Fountain, you have a couple of guys who're hidden amongst the roti-sabji and rice-and-fish guys who sell you Chinese.
This food is freshly cooked, it's catered to your taste. If you ask for extra spicy, they make it that way, or less, depending on you.
The quality is great. I mean, Chinese people would probably hate it. But the truth is, it's a great meal and a cheap one. And the usual worries about food-poisoning are lesser, believe it or not, because the guy is cooking the stuff for you in a kadhai that's been sitting on a flame since he started work at noon. And everything is nicely hammered around by him and his men. So no issues.
Only problem is the grease content. But then, you're eating off the streets... And even restaurants have a higher level of grease, come to think of it...

Other than these guys at Fountain, there's also a guy near the Nirmala Niketan college at Churchgate. He's brilliant. 10-odd bucks more expensive than the Fountain guys, but the food is amazing. I kid you not, he's magical.

Another great place (although horrid for your liver, I'm betting) is the MAFCO stall on Nepeansea road. More expensive than the other guys for sure, but justified by quantity and taste.

Do I sound like someone who has travelled the city looking for Chinese? Yeah, I have actually... These Chinese-food cravings hit me out of the blue...

I found some in Pune as well... Will update that soon :)

Till then, when in Town, and low on cash (along with the YMCA) you should go to the Roadside Chinese guys.

Niblets - Bar Niblets

This segment is dedicated to the yummiest bar-niblets I have hitherto tasted.
Yeah, this is a thing! In my world, bar niblets are not the soggy chips and peanuts they put out for you when you order a drink; that's what they do in expensive lounge-y places. I stay away from those. I am a nearly-always-broke woman. I need my alcohol, but not in a fancy place, necessarily.
So when I say bar niblets, I mean things to eat in a bar. And my bars of choice are not places you would take anyone used to a lounge. Like never take your parents to these places, really...

So I'll start with my favourite: Chicken Chatpata and Crispy Chicken. I'd never have gone to Lalit's if it hadn't been for these wonderful concoctions. The Chicken Chatpata is basically dry, tangy-spicy chicken put on a plate, but there is something about it, some vague undercurrent of difference from the usual chicken dishes that makes it delicious. Where is this found? At Lalit's. It can be found in the lane opposite Kayani's, near the Metro theatre in South Mumbai. The Chicken Crispy is also a tangy, warm plate of yummy. Every time I'm back in the city, I make a trip. I love this stuff. Maybe I'm hyping it a bit, but it's really good, ya!

And of course, there is Chakli and schezwan sauce. It's something I'm sure is served all over the place, but the Gokuls guys serve it the best. In the lane parallel to Colaba Causeway, behind McDonald's, there is famed shady hole-in-wall-bar, Gokuls. Go in the evening and you will find it packed. Any evening. And if you want to chew on something (which might be a good idea) then ask for a plate of chakli and schezwan sauce. The sauce is a fry-up of chili, garlic and onion, and the chakli is the small packet you get in any little nukkad store. Nothing phenomenally different, but the whole package of Gokul's makes this one stand out. In fact, while at Gokuls, you should also get a Healthy-Bites roll. I have spoken about these before... And hey, get a Chicken 65 as well. It's quite good. Better than most, coz the chicken isn't fried till it's so chewy a dog wouldn't want it. As a chew-toy, I mean, not that I imply dogs eat my left-overs.

Invariable, place-no-bar, yummy bar-food: Masala papad! It's a papad. It's got onion and tomatoes and coriander and chaat masala on it. And chili. What more do you need? It's crunchy, fresh and fun to eat!
And no matter where you are, you'll get a masala papad. The Taj has a masala papad, for example...
And it's so much better than peanuts (which I am allergic to, so I do not eat. No offence to peanut-eaters).

Please realize what I have tried to do in this post. It is a tribute.

MUST TO EAT.

Okay thank you.