Mumbai Street Style Bhel Puri Recipe
When we talk about Mumbai street food snack, the very first name that pops up is the Bhel Puri Recipe. Packed with tangy, spicy, and crunchy flavors, this Indian street food delight wins hearts across all age groups. The combination of puffed rice (murmura), crunchy puri or papdi and sev, mixed with chutneys, chopped onions, tomatoes, and spices makes it one of the most delicious evening snacks. Whether you are standing at a roadside stall in Mumbai or making it in your kitchen, the flavors of street style Bhel recipe always bring joy.
Here, we will explore everything about Bhel Puri Recipe, its varieties, chutney recipes, step-by-step preparation, and how you can make authentic Street Style BhelPuri at Home.
About Bhel Puri Recipe
Bhel Puri is one of the most iconic and loved Indian street food snacks, deeply rooted in the vibrant lanes of Mumbai. Over the years, this dish has become a symbol of the chaat culture in India, offering a unique blend of flavours and textures that thrills the taste buds. Though it is most famous in Mumbai and Maharashtra, its popularity has spread across India and even internationally, as people everywhere fall in love with its amazing taste.
Belonging to the wide family of chaat recipes, Bhelpuri is known to be spicy, tangy, crispy and refreshing. Unlike heavy fried snacks, this dish is light and ready in a matter of minutes, making it a great option for a delicious evening snack or to serve to guests. Traditionally, it is served in small paper cones or eco-friendly plates at roadside shops, where vendors mix the ingredients at lightning speed to satisfy hungry customers.
The main ingredients of Bhel Puri include puffed rice (Murmura), which gives this dish an airy crispiness, along with papdi or puri that also adds an extra flavour of crispiness. Sev, thin fried gram flour noodles, adds another layer of crunchiness. Fresh ingredients like finely chopped onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, green chillies and coriander leaves are added to this base, which adds freshness and juiciness to the mix.
But the real identity of a street style bhel puri recipe is the chutneys. Each chutney has its own role:
- Green chutney made from coriander, mint and green chillies adds freshness and pungency.
- Tamarind chutney gives a sweet and tangy flavour that balances the spiciness.
- Pungent red chutney made from dried red chillies and garlic gives the pungency that many people love.
This perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy and crunchy is what makes bhel puri different from other street food recipes. Whether eaten as wet bhel puris filled with chutney or simply as dry bhel flavoured with spices and lemon, each recipe is amazing in its own way.
Bhel Puri is more than just a snack – it’s an experience of flavour and culture, reminiscent of the bustling streets of Mumbai, and a dish that proves that even simple ingredients can produce extraordinary flavours.
Two Main Varieties of Bhel Puri Recipe
1. Wet Bhel Puri
Wet bhel or bhel puri is called as ‘geela bhel’ in Hindi. This is the most popular recipe served at the bustling street food stalls of Mumbai. It is made with green chutney, spicy red chutney and tamarind chutney. The mixture is slightly moist and tangy, giving a different flavour to every bite. It is usually served immediately after mixing, else the puffed rice can get soggy.
2. Dry Bhel Puri (Sukha Bhel)
Also known as dry bhel (sukha bhel) in Hindi, this recipe uses little or no chutney. Instead, it is flavoured with dry spices like chaat masala, red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder and lemon juice. It is crispy, light and perfect for those who love a less messy but equally delicious snack.
Chutney Recipes for Bhel Puri
The magic of street style Bhel recipe lies in its chutneys. Here are the three must-have chutneys for making authentic Bhel Puri at Home:
1. Green Chutney
Ingredients: Fresh coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chilies, ginger, lemon juice, and salt.
Method: Combine all the ingredients in a blender, adding a splash of water, and grind until you get a smooth paste. This chutney gives freshness and spiciness to Bhel Puri.
2. Spicy Red Chutney
Ingredients: Kashmiri red chilies, garlic, salt, lemon juice.
Method: Soak the chilies, blend with garlic and a little water. This adds the required fiery punch to the Spicy Bhel Puri.
3. Tamarind (Imli) Chutney
Ingredients: Tamarind pulp, jaggery, dates (optional), roasted cumin powder, and black salt.
Method: Simmer tamarind pulp with jaggery and spices until it reduces to a thick, flavorful chutney. This chutney balances the spice with sweetness and tanginess.
Preparation for Bhel Puri Recipe
Before we start mixing, a little preparation helps in making the perfect homemade Bhel Puri:
- Roast puffed rice (murmura) lightly for 2–3 minutes to make them extra crunchy.
- Prepare chutneys in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
- Chop onions, tomatoes, green chilies, boiled potatoes, and coriander leaves.
- Keep papdi, puri, and sev ready.
How to Make Bhel Puri (Step-by-Step)
Ingredients:
2 cups puffed rice (murmura)
½ cup papdi or puri, crushed
½ cup sev
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
1 tomato (finely chopped)
1 boiled potato (chopped)
2–3 tbsp green chutney
2–3 tbsp tamarind chutney
1 tbsp spicy red chutney (optional)
½ tsp roasted cumin powder
½ tsp chaat masala
½ tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves
Lemon juice
Method to Make Street Style Bhel Puri
- Prepare the Base: In a large mixing bowl, add the puffed rice (murmura). To this, mix in crushed papdi/puri and a handful of sev for that crunchy texture.
- Add Fresh Veggies: Toss in the finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and boiled potato cubes. These ingredients add juiciness and freshness to the mix.
- Flavor with Chutneys: Now comes the magic! Add green chutney for spiciness, tamarind chutney for tanginess, and a little red chutney for a fiery kick. Adjust the quantities as per your taste preferences.
- Spice It Up: Sprinkle roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, red chili powder, and a pinch of salt. These spices enhance the flavor and give it that authentic street style Bhel recipe taste.
- Mix Quickly & Evenly: Toss everything in the bowl swiftly, letting the chutneys and spices coat every bite without softening the puffed rice too much. Remember, the faster you serve, the crunchier it will stay.
- Garnish & Serve: Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice, sprinkle coriander leaves, and top it with extra sev for a perfect finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the authentic taste of Mumbai Street food snack.
Remember: For Wet Bhel Puri, chutneys are added generously. For Sukha Bhel, skip chutneys and use only dry spices with lemon juice.
Tips for Perfect Street Style Bhel Puri
- Always prepare Bhel Puri at Home fresh and serve immediately, otherwise it turns soggy.
- Adjust chutneys according to taste preference – more tamarind chutney for tangy flavor, more green chutney for spiciness.
- Roast Murmura to retain crunchiness.
- You can add extras like roasted peanuts, cucumber, or even raw mango for extra zing.
Why Bhel Puri is the Perfect Evening Snack
- Light & Healthy: Made mostly with puffed rice and vegetables.
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in just 10 minutes.
- Customizable: Can be adjusted to sweet, tangy, or spicy taste.
- Homemade Food Advantage: You control hygiene and taste while recreating authentic street food recipes at home.
Conclusion
The Street Style Bhel Puri Recipe is a delightful combination of crispy, tangy, spicy, and refreshing flavors. Whether you enjoy Wet Bhel Puri loaded with chutneys or the crunch of Sukha Bhel, this Mumbai street food snack never disappoints. With the simple steps shared above, you can now prepare authentic Indian street food snacks like Bhel Puri right in your kitchen.
So next time you crave something light, flavorful, and quick, try this homemade Bhel Puri Recipe and experience the magic of Mumbai’s favorite street chaat.
