Ramzan's Feast: Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar Ignites Taste Buds

The holy month of Ramzan transforms Mumbai's Mohammed Ali Road and Bhendi Bazaar into a bustling hub for food enthusiasts. As devotees gather for special prayers at Minara Masjid, the locality's restaurants and roadside stalls teem with people enjoying classic Ramzan dishes. These include smoky kebabs, rich payas, simmering nalli nihari, and spicy chicken changezi, alongside sweet treats like malpuas, jalebis, and firni.

The culinary landscape during this period is enhanced by chefs and cooks from across India. While many hail from major cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, and Lucknow, a significant number also arrive from smaller towns such as Moradabad, Sambhal, Amroha, Indore, and Surat. These culinary professionals are often hired by Mumbai's restaurant owners and catering houses for the duration of Ramzan, bringing diverse regional flavors to the city's famous food street.

Chefs like Mohammed Chand from Hyderabad, renowned for his haleem and biryani, have been a Ramzan fixture in Mumbai since 1991, continuing a legacy from his father who cooked for the Nizams. He now works with Hassan Jaffer Mansuri of Jafferbhai's Delhi Darbar, a relationship built over years. Similarly, brothers Saad Qureshi and Islam Qureshi from Lucknow expertly prepare Mughlai parathas and galouti kebabs at a local joint, earning daily wages and lodging.

Ali Hashmat, known for Ali's Biryani and Barah Handi, established his popular business in 2001 after honing his skills at a family restaurant near Roorkee. His restaurant's Moradabadi biryani is particularly celebrated, even being a highlight at dinners hosted by local MLA Amin Patel for dignitaries. The establishment of 'Barah Handi', an 1897 legacy eatery, by Ali Bhai further enriches the area's gastronomic heritage.