15 Irresistible Egg Dishes

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That eggs are one of the most versatile foods on the planet is reflected in the variety of preparations that comprise our selection of 15 of the most mouth-watering egg dishes in the city. You’ll find everything from the American Eggs Benedict and the West Asian shakshouka to the Parsi akuri and a South Indian take on burji on the list, which spans a range of cuisines, price points and neighbourhoods. For our first ever “eggs special”, we got five chefs to whip up a recipe for their favourite egg-based dish, and asked a 100 of our readers about their egg-eating habits (and while we were at it, also on where they stand on the whole chicken-versus-egg debate). Columnist Matt Daniels, meanwhile, spent time at Juhu beach learning about a man who makes a “Mysore burji”. Read on to find out more:

1. Egg Roll at Hangla’s
A fried egg, a few chopped green chillies, and strands of onion are packed into a well-oiled but perfectly crisp paratha to make for a lip-smacking snack. Rs40.
Opposite Royal Accord, near Swami Samarth Mandir, Lokhandwala, Andheri (West). Tel: 77383 64230. Also in Powai (93240 38854), Bandra (77383 64250) and Malad (3223 1415).

2. Eggs Florentine at Indigo Café
Indigo Café serves the finest pair of poached eggs we’ve had in this city. When they’re placed atop creamed spinach on two thick slices of toasted sandwich bread, it makes for a delicious mess. Rs300.
Clifton Trishool Housing Society, Oshiwara Village, off Link Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri (West). Tel: 2633 5709.

3. Irani Wrestler’s Omelette at Koolar & Co.
A five-egg omelette may constitute a typical breakfast for a wrestler, but for those of us not in the muscle flexing business, it’s a breakfast challenge. The omelette takes about 20 minutes to prepare, but is well worth the wait. The eggs are whisked with chopped onions, green chillies and some coriander, and seasoned with just the right amount of salt. Two people can easily split the dish, or if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, take it on by yourself. Rs125.
541 Noor Mahal, on the junction of Dr. Ambedkar Road and H. Adenwala Road, King’s Circle, Matunga. Tel: 2412 5062.

4. Egg Chip Butty at Theobroma
An expertly cooked fried egg balanced over a heap of crispy fries sandwiched in a large mayonnaise-slathered burger bun is some people’s idea of perfection. One of Theobroma’s best-selling items, the egg chip butty is worth risking clogged arteries. Rs180.
Shop 24, Cusrow Baug, Colaba Causeway. Tel: 2288 0101. Also at 29/30 Link Square Mall,
 Linking Road,
 near KFC, Bandra (West). Tel: 2646 9010.

5. Baida Roti at Ayub’s
A hot favourite at Ayub’s, this greasy omlette stuffed roti is capable of sobering up the drunkest of revelers. Slather the potent green and red chutney for a spicy kick. Rs70.
43 Dr. V. B. Gandhi Marg, near Rhythm House, Fort. Tel: 6516 3607.

6. Shakshouka at Cafe Moshe’s
This Middle-Eastern egg preparation takes at least 25 minutes to serve, but don’t let that deter you from ordering it. The eggs, baked in a pan, are served on a sweetish base of caramelised onions, tomatoes, capsicum, and jalapenos, and are sprinkled with za’atar, the Arabic spice blend consisting of thyme, sesame seeds, salt and cumin. You can get it with mushrooms, corn and feta, but we suggest you opt for sausage if you want an added bite of protein. Rs230.
Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, Apollo Bunder, near Gateway of India. Tel: 2202 0934.

7. Bharuchi Akuri at Ideal Corner
Along with salli and dhansak, akuri might be the Parsi community’s most significant contribution to the culinary world. At Ideal Corner, the extra runny akuri—forgive the deep yellow colouring from the haldi powder—comes scrambled with chopped tomatoes, green chillies, coriander and onions. Rs60.
12 F/G, Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Fort. Tel: 2262 1930.

8. Complete Crepe at Suzette
We tend to associate crepes with dessert, but they’re just as compelling as a savoury snack. The “complete”, a staple at most creperies in France, is an open-faced treat, with ham, Emmenthal, and the starring ingredient, a sunny side-up fried egg. Rs230.
Shop 1A, Atlanta Building, Nariman Point. Tel: 2288 0055.

9. Eggs Benedict at Indigo Deli
Indigo Deli’s eggs Benedict is widely regarded as the best in the city not only because it comes with a pair of expertly poached eggs, but also because they add a special ingredient to their Hollandaise sauce—a smidgen of mustard that gives it that special tang. Rs355.
5, Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, opposite Dhanraj Mahal, Colaba. Tel: 6655 1010; Palladium Mall, First Floor, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Tel: 4366 6666.

10. Salli Par Edu at Jimmy Boy
Salli par edu—essentially two eggs served on a bed of crispy potato strips that have been tossed and fried with tomatoes, coriander and chillies—is, admittedly, not the most diet friendly of dishes. That aside, Jimmy Boy’s version resembles a pizza and tastes just about as indulgent as that world-renowned Italian preparation. Rs120.
Vikas Building, 
11 Bank Street,
 opposite State Bank of India, 
off Horniman Circle,
 Fort. Tel: 2270 0880.

11. Egg Masala Fry at Stadium
This deceptively named dish is really an egg curry, but what a good egg curry it is. Two boiled eggs served in a slightly spicy, thick red gravy made with tomatoes, green chillies, coriander and garam masala, it’s one of those rare comfort foods made outside your mother’s kitchen. Rs80 (plus Rs10 for two slices of pav).
IMC Building, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate. Tel: 2204 6819.

12. Omelette Pav at Churchgate Station
Many people in Mumbai get to work by 9am; Vijay gets to work at 9pm. That’s the time he sets up his al fresco anda-pav stall outside the main entrance of Churchgate station. Night birds, clubbers and pretty much anyone who’s looking for a meal in South Mumbai (outside of a 24-hour-hotel coffee shop) during the wee hours has tasted one of his filling omlette pavs, made with diced onions and a pinch of salt, mirchi powder and garam masala. Whether you’re hungry—or high—you won’t mind that the oil he drizzles on the tawa is stored in an Aquafina bottle. Rs35 for a two-egg omelette.
Behind the bus stop outside the main entrance of Churchgate station.

13. Cheese Egg Frankie at Tibbs, Shivaji Park
Even though Tibbs uses standardised ingredients and methods across its outlets, the Dadar branch takes them a step further. These folks have perfected the balance of chewiness to crustiness in their rolls, and when they add cheese to their egg Frankie (something other branches don’t do), you get a masala omelette wrap at its most sublime. Rs50.
Near Bal Mohan High School, Shivaji Park, Dadar (West). Tel: 2446 0900.

14. Spanish Omelette at Salt Water Café
The Spanish omelette at Salt Water Café, which is large enough to fill most of the dining plate on which it is served, gives you the satisfaction of eating a preparation that is packed with the goodness of fresh veggies while being one of the fluffiest forms of comfort food. Rs220.
87 Chapel Road, next to Mount Carmel Church, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (West). Tel: 2643 4441.

15. Butter Mysore Burji at Ganesh Bhavan
Two whole slabs of Amul butter and three heaping spoonfuls of red chilli powder stain the banana leaf sitting under this heaping serving of spicy scrambled egg. Eggs served 7.30pm to 1.30am. Rs170.
Juhu Chowpatty, Second Lane from the Ramada Hotel side, facing Juhu Tara Road.

SEE ALSO
• The 100-Person Egg Poll
• Five Great Egg Recipes
• Tales From A Clandestine Burji Shack in Juhu