Selling Bhel To Generations!
#NostalgiaSpecial
At the far end of Third Pasta Lane, amidst the bustling streets of Colaba, stands a humble cart adorned with packets of puffed rice, diced potatoes, and an array of chutneys. This is the realm of Ramdhani Gupta, a man whose name has become synonymous with the best bhel in Mumbai.
For decades, Ramdhani has been more than just a vendor; he's been a culinary custodian, guarding the secret to his zesty bhel puri that has tantalised the taste buds of generations. Locals, whose childhoods were sweetened by the tangy flavors of his bhel, now bring their children to experience the same joy.
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| Ramdhani Gupta doing what he does best...making bhel! |
His thela is a time capsule, a corner of constancy in a city that's ever-changing. The residents of Colaba, who've ventured far and wide, across cities and seas, carry with them memories of Ramdhani's bhel. It's a taste that calls them home, a siren song of spices that beckons them back to Third Pasta Lane.
Even those who've left the familiar lanes of Colaba, setting up new lives in distant lands, find themselves drawn back to Ramdhani's cart. With each annual pilgrimage to their family homes, a visit to Ramdhani is a must. It's a ritual, a reaffirmation of roots, a moment to relive the carefree days of youth.
Ramdhani's bhel is more than a snack; it's a thread woven into the fabric of Colaba's community. It's a testament to the power of flavour, a simple dish that holds the power to unite, to evoke nostalgia, and to remind everyone that no matter where life takes them, a piece of home will always be waiting at the far end of Third Pasta Lane.
(The Draft Colaba is an ultra-local edition of The Draft to bring you news and updates from Mumbai's oldest precinct)
