Batata vada is the potato dumpling without the pav — eaten on its own with chutney. Farsan is the wider Gujarati world of fried and steamed snacks: khaman, patra, khandvi, fafda, chakli, sev. It is sold by weight from counters rather than served at tables.
7places named
4things to know
2026snapshot year
6areas of the city
Where to eat it
Named places, with what each one is known for| Name | Where | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| Vile Parle farsan shops | Vile Parle East and West | Some of the best farsan in the city; heavy Diwali trade. |
| Ghatkopar farsan counters | Ghatkopar East and West | A strongly Gujarati suburb with the trade to match. |
| Borivali and Kandivali farsan shops | Borivali, Kandivali | Volume farsan for the northern suburbs. |
| Swati Snacks1963 | Tardeo | Farsan and Gujarati street food served seated. |
| Dadar farsan shops | Dadar West | Maharashtrian and Gujarati snacks side by side. |
| Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar shops | Kalbadevi | The wholesale farsan and mithai trade. |
| Aaswad1980s | Dadar West | Kothimbir vadi and the Maharashtrian snacks. |
Worth knowing
- Farsan is bought by weight. Two hundred grams is a normal ask.
- Khaman should be eaten the same day. Fafda the same hour.
- Diwali is when these shops are at full stretch; order ahead.
- Chutney with batata vada is dry garlic, not the green coriander one.
The other dishes
Vada PavPav BhajiMisal PavBhel PuriPani PuriSev PuriBombay SandwichFrankieMohammed Ali Road KebabsParsi DhansakBerry PulaoSali BotiAkuriIrani Chai and Bun MaskaKeema PavBheja FryMumbai BiryaniKoli Fish CurryBombil FryPrawn KoliwadaMalvani CuisineSol KadhiFalooda and KulfiBatata Vada and Farsan
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