History

Akuri is the Parsi take on scrambled eggs, with the Persian-influenced addition of warming spices, onion and tomato cooked slow until the eggs stay creamy. Britannia, Jimmy Boy and most Irani cafes serve daily versions from breakfast through late morning. It has become a Mumbai breakfast staple beyond the Parsi community, with brunch rooms across Bandra and Colaba including it on weekend menus.

Common allergens: Egg, Dairy, Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Serves 2Hands-on 15 minTotal 15 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 medium onion, chopped fine
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped fine
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 2 green chillies, chopped fine
  • 2 tablespoons coriander, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Half teaspoon turmeric
  • 30g butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 pavs, toasted and buttered for serving

Method

  1. Whisk eggs with milk, salt and black pepper.
  2. Melt butter in a wide pan. Add cumin seeds, then chopped onion. Cook 4 minutes until soft.
  3. Add ginger, green chilli and turmeric. Stir 1 minute.
  4. Add chopped tomato, cook 3 minutes until softened.
  5. Pour in egg mixture. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, scrambling slowly over medium-low heat 3 to 4 minutes until just set but still soft and creamy.
  6. Fold in chopped coriander, serve immediately with toasted buttered pav.

Tip from the editors. Keep the heat low and stir constantly; akuri must stay soft and creamy, never dry. Pull from the heat just before it looks fully set.

Where to eat akuri

Akuri in Mumbai

Britannia and Co ★ 4.7

Parsi$$fortMon-Fri 12:00-16:00, Sat 12:00-22:00, closed Sun

Britannia in Ballard Estate has poured Iranian zereshk berries over mutton pulao since 1923. Lunchtime only weekdays; Saturday opens until 22:00.

Signature: Berry pulao, Sali boti, Caramel custard

Order: Mutton berry pulao with a side of sali boti.

Tip: Cash only; arrive by 13:00 weekdays or the berry pulao runs out. Closed Sunday.

Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai 400001

Jimmy Boy ★ 4.2

Parsi$$fortMon-Sat 08:00-23:00; Sun 08:00-16:00, 19:00-23:00

Fort Parsi institution at Vikas Building off Horniman Circle since 1925; only place in Mumbai serving Lagan nu Bhonu wedding meal, Patra ni Macchi, Salliboti.

Why locals love it: Off Horniman Circle in a heritage building, Parsi wedding-thali room with no signage past the entrance; locals book the Sunday thali a week ahead.

Tip: Sunday Parsi wedding thali is the order; book ahead. Cash and card both accepted.

Vikas Building, 11 Bank Street, Off Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai 400023

Kyani and Co ★ 4.8

Irani cafe$marine-linesDaily 07:00-19:30

Kyani and Co in Mumbai: irani cafe room. Mumbai's oldest Irani cafe (1904) hides behind a faded yellow facade on Marine Lines; the regulars.

Why locals love it: Mumbai's oldest Irani cafe (1904) hides behind a faded yellow facade on Marine Lines; the regulars at the counter have outlasted most of the city's restaurants.

Tip: Bun maska and Irani chai, share a mawa cake; cash easiest. Cash and card both accepted.

657 Jer Mahal Estate, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Marine Lines, Mumbai 400002

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