mbjesq

Here's a link to my review of the pleasures and circus thrills of South Indian Coffee. Enjoy!

OK, it isn't exactly chaat; but it it isn't exactly not chaat either. Kathi rolls are a ubiquitous snack food (or light meal) on the streets and in the small shops of Kolkata. And none are better than Nizam's. My review, with more photos, is at NIzam's: Perfection in a Paratha. And check-out this review of the awesome rasgulla at Kher Brothers, in Salepur, Orissa. Cheers, MBJ http://memestreamblog.wordpress.com

Here's the updated link to the story on Vince and his B.C. porcini mushrooms: "Generosity" Apologies for those who came looking for this and were sent to the old, non-functioning link. MBJ

I have indeed tried Kailash Prabhat. Which roadside kebab stalls? My favorite place in South Bombay is in Khala Ghoda, just past the synagogue (turn down the street at Rhythm House. I can never remember the name of the joint, but it is only open at night. Best falooda kulfi is saying something! Do they use Parsi Dairy Farm kulfi?

The most satisfying eating in India is on the street. I would love to collect recommendations and hear recollections of truly great street food from various corners of the country. I've posted on street food in Pondicherry, pani poori in Bandra, and Ramazan evening feasts in Pune. Kathi rolls in Kolkata, kulcha in Amritsar, lassi in Jaipur, parotta in Trivandrum... where's the best to be had?

I recently posted a musing about the lingering smell of Indian spices on the skin. I completely understand that fenugrek and cumin are a bit stinky when leached through the skin, of course, but the element that discomforts my nose the most I imagine to be turmeric. Yet I can find no reference anywhere to the power of turmeric to lend an unpleasant scent to sweat and skin. In fact, it is quite common (and a bit silly, perhaps) for South Indian women to topically apply turmeric to their faces on the notion that it is good for the complexion -- and it is, if your idea of beauty is looking like a jaundiced Martian. The point is: they don't seem to smell any worse than the rest of us. Perhaps it is the difference in eating the stuff and smearing it on. Or perhaps I'm smelling something different. Any ideas? What's that smell?

Well written article and very interesting work that you are doing...keep it up !! I was not aware that Bhel had apples. Is this a personal or regional preference? ← Most of the Bhel addicts I know are Gujus, and I'm pretty sure they use apple along with the potato. Of course, these are the same folks who cannot cook water without sugar or jaggery, so consider the source. Still, apples add nice crunch and sweetness.

Bhel Poori is great party food. I do it in a make-your-own system, as depicted here: I put the potato and apple together, everything else separately. mbjesq www.memestream.org

Pani Poori is the king of chaat. My recent pani poori binge in Bandra is chronicled in "Liquid Lunch" at www.memestream.org. mbjesq www.memestream.org

When I think of Mushrooms in Vancouver, I can't help thinking of Vice Misceo. Here's the story on memestream.

I have been searching, in vain, to find Lin's Taianese Kitchen, in Richmond. When last I ate there, a year ago, it was occupying a shabby cinderblock building on Granville, east of No. 3 Road. That builing has since been demolished and the site is now under construction. It seems unthinkable to me that Lin's could just disappear; but I cannot find a trace or trail. If anyone knows where they moved, I would appreciate the tip. If not, who can suggest a place in Richmond to get a beef roll -- hoi sin'ed beef wrapped in a scallion pancake, not an item with which I was familliar before finding Lin's -- worthy of the name?