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'''Pav bhaji''' is a fast food dish from India. It consists of a thick vegetable curry served with a soft bread roll. Its origins are in the state of [[Maharashtra]].
{{Short description|Thin vegetable curry based savory dish in India}}
[[File:Pav Bhaji.jpg|thumb|Pav bhaji]]
{{Distinguish|Bhaji}}{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox food
| name              = Pav Bhaji
| image              = Bambayya Pav bhaji.jpg
| caption            = A plate of Pav Bhaji.|
| alternate_name    = Bhaji-pav
| country            = India
| region            = Mumbai, [[Maharashtra]]
| creator            = |
| course            = [[main course|Main]]
| served            = Hot
| main_ingredient    = Bread, mixed vegetables
| variations        = Red Pav Bhaji, Masala Pav Bhaji, Black Pav Bhaji, Green Pav Bhaji, Khada Pav Bhaji
| other              =
}}
'''Pav bhaji''', or '''pao bhaji''' ([[Marathi Language|Marathi]] : पाव भाजी ''pāʋ bhājī'') is a staple food of India, consisting of a thick spicy vegetable curry (''bhaji'') served with a soft, buttered bread roll (''pav''). It is typically served either as a street snack or main dish, and originates from the city of [[Mumbai]] in [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Najmi|first1=Quaid|title=Meet Mumbai's rags-to-riches Restaurant King|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/Meet-Mumbais-rags-to-riches-Restaurant-King/2013/11/06/article1875361.ece|website=The New indian Express|date=6 November 2013|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917113534/http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/Meet-Mumbais-rags-to-riches-Restaurant-King/2013/11/06/article1875361.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=liza |date=2023-05-20 |title=Culinary Hack: Making Delicious Pav Bhaji at Home Without Spending Hours - Desher Barta |url=https://desherbarta.in/culinary-hack-making-delicious-pav-bhaji-at-home-without-spending-hours/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=[[Desher Barta]] |language=en-US |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520102922/https://desherbarta.in/culinary-hack-making-delicious-pav-bhaji-at-home-without-spending-hours/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The dish originated in the 1850s as lunchtime [[fast food]] for textile mill workers in [[Mumbai]].<ref name=deccanherald>{{cite web|last1=Patrao|first1=Michael|title=Taking pride in our very own pav|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/32025/else-where.html|website=Deccan Herald|publisher=The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd|accessdate=31 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=mint>{{cite web|last1=Patel|first1=Aakar|title=What Mumbaikars owe to the American Civil War: ‘pav bhaji’|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/jydWXXQfOONBU8jaCtLAXO/What-Mumbaikars-owe-to-the-American-Civil-War-8216pav-bh.html|website=Live Mint|publisher=HT Media Limited|accessdate=31 May 2015}}</ref> Pav bhaji was later served at restaurants throughout the city.<ref name="mint"/><ref name=HT>{{cite web|last1=Munshaw-Ghildiyal|first1=Rushina|title=A feast of flavours|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/a-feast-of-flavours/article1-722425.aspx|website=Hindustan Times|publisher=HT Media Limited|accessdate=31 May 2015}}</ref> Pav bhaji is now available at different types of food providers, from simple pushcarts to formal restaurants. It may be found outside of India.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pathak|first1=Anil|title='Bhaji pav' to invade NY's Times Square|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Bhaji-pav-to-invade-NYs-Times-Square/articleshow/46999100.cms|website=Times of India|publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rajesh|first1=Monisha|authorlink=Monisha Rajesh|title=10 of the best street foods in Mumbai|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/mar/01/10-best-street-food-mumbai-india|website=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=2 September 2015}}</ref>
The dish originated as a fast lunchtime dish for [[textile mill]] workers in [[Mumbai]].<ref name=deccanherald>{{cite web|last1=Patrao|first1=Michael|title=Taking pride in our very own pav|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/32025/taking-pride-our-very-own.html|website=Deccan Herald|date=23 October 2009|publisher=The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012235333/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/32025/taking-pride-our-very-own.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=mint>{{cite web|last1=Patel|first1=Aakar|title=What Mumbaikars owe to the American Civil War: 'pav bhaji'|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/jydWXXQfOONBU8jaCtLAXO/What-Mumbaikars-owe-to-the-American-Civil-War-8216pav-bh.html|website=Live Mint|date=4 August 2011|publisher=HT Media Limited|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531210232/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/jydWXXQfOONBU8jaCtLAXO/What-Mumbaikars-owe-to-the-American-Civil-War-8216pav-bh.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pav bhaji was later served at restaurants throughout the city.<ref name="mint"/><ref name=HT>{{cite web|last1=Munshaw-Ghildiyal|first1=Rushina|title=A feast of flavours|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/a-feast-of-flavours/article1-722425.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420145415/http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/a-feast-of-flavours/article1-722425.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2015|website=Hindustan Times|publisher=HT Media Limited|access-date=31 May 2015}}</ref> Pav bhaji is now offered at outlets from simple hand carts to formal restaurants in India and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pathak|first1=Anil|title='Bhaji pav' to invade NY's Times Square|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Bhaji-pav-to-invade-NYs-Times-Square/articleshow/46999100.cms|website=The Times of India|date=20 May 2003 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-date=25 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125125936/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Bhaji-pav-to-invade-NYs-Times-Square/articleshow/46999100.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rajesh|first1=Monisha|author-link=Monisha Rajesh|title=10 of the best street foods in Mumbai|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/mar/01/10-best-street-food-mumbai-india|website=The Guardian|date=1 March 2012|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|access-date=2 September 2015|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906081200/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/mar/01/10-best-street-food-mumbai-india|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Variations ==
== 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, egg plant, cabbage 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.


*Cheese pav bhaji, with cheese on top of the bhaji
== Variants ==
*Fried pav bhaji, with the pav tossed in the bhaji
Variations on pav bhaji include:
*Paneer pav bhaji, with [[paneer]] cheese in the bhaji
* Cheese pav bhaji, with cheese on top of the bhaji
*Mushroom pav bhaji, with mushrooms in the bhaji
* Fried pav bhaji, with the pav tossed in the bhaji
*Khada pav bhaji, with vegetable chunks in the bhaji
* Paneer pav bhaji, with [[paneer]] in the bhaji
*Jain pav bhaji, without onions and garlic and with plantains instead of potatoes
* Mushroom pav bhaji, with mushrooms in the bhaji
*Kolhapuri pav bhaji, using a spice mix common in [[Kolhapur]]
* Khada pav bhaji, in which vegetables are in chunks rather than mashed
*White pav bhaji, with no [[garam masala]] and no chilli powder
* [[Jain vegetarianism|Jain]] pav bhaji, without onions and garlic<ref>{{cite book|last1=Dalal|first1=Tarla|title=Mumbai's Roadside Snacks|date=2010|publisher=Sanjay & Company|location=Mumbai|isbn=978-81-89491-66-6|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4kjEPd1NmmkC&pg=PA60|access-date=31 May 2015}}</ref> and with [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain]]s instead of potatoes<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kumar|first1=Shikha|title=In search of the perfect pav bhaji|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/in-search-of-the-perfect-pav-bhaji/story-NGNxEke5VWUSea2kybkFWN.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=26 November 2016|publisher=HT Media Limited|access-date=4 March 2017|archive-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305041725/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/in-search-of-the-perfect-pav-bhaji/story-NGNxEke5VWUSea2kybkFWN.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Sada pav which only consists of pav
* Sada bhaji which only consists of bhaji
* [[Kolhapur]]i pav bhaji, using a spice mix common in Kolhapur
* Masala pav bhaji, with garam masala in the bhaji
* Beetroot pav bhaji, adding beetroot to the classic pav bhaji<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tarladalal.com/beetroot-pav-bhaji-recipe-42491r | title=Beetroot Pav Bhaji Recipe }}</ref>
* Chinese pav bhaji, using ingredients used in Chinese dishes such as Vinegar, soy sauce<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tarladalal.com/chinese-pav-bhaji-41197r | title=Chinese Pav Bhaji }}</ref>
* Moong sprouts bhaji, pav bhaji with moong sprouts<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tarladalal.com/moong-sprouts-pav-bhaji-sprouts-ki-pav-bhaji-31080r | title=Moong sprouts pav bhaji recipe &#124; sprouts ki pav bhaji &#124; healthy Indian pav bhaji &#124; pav bhaji with moong bean sprouts &#124; }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Street food}}


 
[[Category:Street food in India]]
[[Category:Indian food]]
[[Category:Indian fast food]]
[[Category:Fast food]]
[[Category:Maharashtrian cuisine]]
 
[[Category:Curry dishes]]
 
[[Category:Spicy foods]]
{{simple-Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Chili pepper dishes]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 31 January 2026


Not to be confused with Bhaji.
Pav Bhaji
A plate of Pav Bhaji.
Alternative namesBhaji-pav
CourseMain
Place of originIndia
Region or stateMumbai, Maharashtra
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsBread, mixed vegetables
VariationsRed Pav Bhaji, Masala Pav Bhaji, Black Pav Bhaji, Green Pav Bhaji, Khada Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji, or pao bhaji (Marathi : पाव भाजी pāʋ bhājī) is a staple food of India, consisting of a thick spicy vegetable curry (bhaji) served with a soft, buttered bread roll (pav). It is typically served either as a street snack or main dish, and originates from the city of Mumbai in Maharashtra.[1][2]

History[edit | edit source]

The dish originated as a fast lunchtime dish for textile mill workers in Mumbai.[3][4] Pav bhaji was later served at restaurants throughout the city.[4][5] Pav bhaji is now offered at outlets from simple hand carts to formal restaurants in India and abroad.[6][7]

Preparation[edit | edit source]

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, egg plant, cabbage 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[edit | edit source]

Variations on pav bhaji include:

  • Cheese pav bhaji, with cheese on top of the bhaji
  • Fried pav bhaji, with the pav tossed in the bhaji
  • Paneer pav bhaji, with paneer in the bhaji
  • Mushroom pav bhaji, with mushrooms in the bhaji
  • Khada pav bhaji, in which vegetables are in chunks rather than mashed
  • Jain pav bhaji, without onions and garlic[8] and with plantains instead of potatoes[9]
  • Sada pav which only consists of pav
  • Sada bhaji which only consists of bhaji
  • Kolhapuri pav bhaji, using a spice mix common in Kolhapur
  • Masala pav bhaji, with garam masala in the bhaji
  • Beetroot pav bhaji, adding beetroot to the classic pav bhaji[10]
  • Chinese pav bhaji, using ingredients used in Chinese dishes such as Vinegar, soy sauce[11]
  • Moong sprouts bhaji, pav bhaji with moong sprouts[12]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Najmi, Quaid (6 November 2013). "Meet Mumbai's rags-to-riches Restaurant King". The New indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  2. ↑ liza (20 May 2023). "Culinary Hack: Making Delicious Pav Bhaji at Home Without Spending Hours - Desher Barta". Desher Barta. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  3. ↑ Patrao, Michael (23 October 2009). "Taking pride in our very own pav". Deccan Herald. The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Patel, Aakar (4 August 2011). "What Mumbaikars owe to the American Civil War: 'pav bhaji'". Live Mint. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  5. ↑ Munshaw-Ghildiyal, Rushina. "A feast of flavours". Hindustan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ↑ Pathak, Anil (20 May 2003). "'Bhaji pav' to invade NY's Times Square". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Rajesh, Monisha (1 March 2012). "10 of the best street foods in Mumbai". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Dalal, Tarla (2010). Mumbai's Roadside Snacks. Mumbai: Sanjay & Company. p. 60. ISBN 978-81-89491-66-6. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Shikha (26 November 2016). "In search of the perfect pav bhaji". Hindustan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  10. ↑ "Beetroot Pav Bhaji Recipe".
  11. ↑ "Chinese Pav Bhaji".
  12. ↑ "Moong sprouts pav bhaji recipe | sprouts ki pav bhaji | healthy Indian pav bhaji | pav bhaji with moong bean sprouts |".
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