History
Kheema pav crosses Parsi and Muslim Mumbai. Both communities adapted minced meat curry to the Portuguese-introduced pav over the early 20th century; Britannia serves a Parsi version with tomato and spice, while Mohammed Ali Road and Bademiya serve a Mughlai version with deeper masala and a top of fried egg. Sunday breakfast staple across the city, served everywhere from Irani cafes to Sunday-morning street counters.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 500g lamb mince (or chicken mince)
- 2 medium onions, chopped fine
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 green chillies, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 100g green peas
- 3 tablespoons oil
- Handful of coriander, chopped
- Salt to taste
- 8 pavs, buttered
Method
- Heat oil in a wide pan. Add cumin seeds, then onion. Cook 6 minutes until golden.
- Add ginger garlic paste and green chilli. Cook 1 minute.
- Add lamb mince. Break apart with a spoon and brown 5 minutes.
- Add chopped tomato. Cook 5 minutes until soft.
- Add red chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala and salt. Stir 1 minute.
- Add green peas and 200ml hot water. Cover and cook 15 minutes until peas are tender and gravy thick.
- Garnish with coriander, serve hot with buttered pav.
Tip from the editors. Brown the mince thoroughly before adding tomato; it gives the dish its colour and depth. Add a squeeze of lime at the table.
Where to eat kheema pav
Kheema pav in Mumbai
Britannia and Co ★ 4.7
Britannia in Ballard Estate has poured Iranian zereshk berries over mutton pulao since 1923. Lunchtime only weekdays; Saturday opens until 22:00.
OrderMutton berry pulao with a side of sali boti.
TipCash only; arrive by 13:00 weekdays or the berry pulao runs out. Closed Sunday.
Jimmy Boy ★ 4.2
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 goOff Horniman Circle in a heritage building, Parsi wedding-thali room with no signage past the entrance; locals book the Sunday thali a week ahead.
TipSunday Parsi wedding thali is the order; book ahead. Cash and card both accepted.
Bademiya ★ 4.5
Bademiya's Tulloch Road stall runs until 03:00 daily. Charcoal kebabs, baida rotis and tikka rolls. Mumbai's canonical after-club queue forms here from 23:00.
OrderMutton seekh in a baida roti and a chicken tikka roll for the road.
TipCash and card accepted at the stall; sit-down rooms close at midnight.
More cities are in research. Want kheema pav covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.