Pav bhaji, Paw bhaji or Pao bhaji (Marathi : पाव भाजी pāʋ bhājī) is a main course staple food of Mumbai, India consisting of a thick spicy vegetable curry (bhaji) served with a soft buttered bread roll (pav). It originated in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra.

History

The dish originated as a fast lunchtime dish for textile mill workers in Mumbai. Pav bhaji was later served at restaurants throughout the city. Pav bhaji is now offered at outlets from simple hand carts to formal restaurants in India and abroad.

Preparation

Pav bhaji is a spiced mixture of mashed vegetables in a thick gravy served with bread. Vegetables in the curry may commonly include potatoes, onions, carrots, chillies, peas, bell peppers and tomatoes. Street sellers usually cook the curry on a flat griddle (tava) and serve the dish hot. A soft white bread roll is the usual accompaniment to the curry, but this does not preclude the use of other bread varieties such as chapati, roti or brown bread.

Variants

Variations on pav bhaji include: