A wrap of spiced filling (chicken, mutton, paneer or vegetable) rolled in a thin flatbread, with masala onion and house spice mix. Mumbai's answer to the kati roll, invented in 1969 and still a city staple.

The Frankie was invented in 1969 by Amarjit Singh Tibb at Tibb's Frankie in Bombay. He adapted the Lebanese shawarma format into a Mumbai-style wrap with masala onion, a thin maida-based flatbread and his own house spice mix. The format spread to street counters and chains across the country, but Tibb's still runs across Mumbai and remains the most recognised name on the dish.

Where to eat Frankie in Mumbai

3 editor picks for Frankie in Mumbai, ranked by editorial score. All Mumbai signature dishes · Frankie across every city.

Book food experiences in Mumbai

See all 1345 food experiences in Mumbai

Make it at home

Serves Makes 4 frankies45 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 4 large rotis or chapatis (made fresh or store-bought)
  • 300g chicken or paneer, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
  • 100ml yoghurt
  • 1 medium onion, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon Frankie masala (or chaat masala plus chilli)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Coriander for garnish
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: 4 eggs (for chicken egg frankie)

Method

  1. Marinate chicken in yoghurt, ginger garlic paste, red chilli, turmeric, garam masala, kasuri methi and salt 15 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a pan, cook chicken 8 minutes until done.
  3. Toss sliced onion with Frankie masala and lime juice; rest 5 minutes.
  4. Warm each roti on a hot tawa.
  5. For chicken egg version: beat 1 egg, pour onto hot tawa, lay the roti on top, flip when set.
  6. Place chicken down the centre of each roti. Top with masala onion and coriander.
  7. Roll tight, wrap in paper and serve.

Editor tip. Use a thin roti, not a thick paratha; the wrap must stay light. Add a drop of mint chutney for the canonical Frankie taste.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg.