Health comes first
For those seeking a healthy alternative instead of indulgence, the Scooter Wala Salad is a revolution on wheels. Operating out of a minimalist, well-organised cart, this millennial vendor turns the street food narrative on its head. The menu is full of fibre-rich salad bowls, fresh-cut fruit medleys, and chia seed puddings. Most salad bowls lately cost an arm and leg, but this Chembur cart keeps it affordable by using pulses and vegetarian options as protein sources.
AT Scooter Wala Salad, Building No 15, opposite Sahyadri Ground, Tilak Nagar, Chembur West.
COST Rs 150 onwards
Slurp town
Among the many eateries of Versova, Ramen Bowl captures the soul of Japanese soul food with a localised twist. Purists may roll their eyes at the use of Hakka noodles, but the broth, vegetables, and chicken deliver that deep, umami-rich punch every bowl of Ramen curries. It’s a spirited, inventive take that showcases the evolution of Japanese cuisine in India.
AT Ramen Bowl, 03, Yari Road, Aram Nagar, Versova.
COST Rs 200 onwards
Naples to Mumbai
Moving away from the mass-produced pizza bases typical of local stalls, PizzaNeo brings the artisanal charm of Naples to the suburbs. They focus on the fundamentals: a fermented, hand-stretched base and a proper blistered crust that crackles with authenticity. It’s an elevated experience, and despite serving only vegetarian pizzas, it turns a quick evening snack into a gourmet event. They also have a range of Dough Balls and Calzones, if you’re looking for a lighter bite.
AT PizzaNeo, Ashok Chakravarti Road, opposite Sparkle 32 Dental Care, near Axis Bank, Kandivali East.
COST Rs 450 onwards (per pizza)
Taco talk
An old milk cabin in Chinchpokli East has been repurposed into a taco counter, Just Tacos. It’s bringing serious culinary cred to the street with their take on Birria Tacos, Tortas, and more. Expect a rich, aromatic consomé for dipping the Birria Tacos, loaded tortas that offer a depth of flavour, and check out how Mexican food is being Indianised and made inexpensive for the streets.
AT Just Tacos, Aarey Milk Stall, Sane Guruji Marg, opposite Shroff Building, Chinchpokli East.
COST Rs 250 onwards
Rollin’ on the streets
Avo-crunch Sushi. Pics/Shadab Khan
Sushi has historically been associated with fine dining. So what is it doing on the streets? JusTaberu has effectively democratised this Japanese staple by focusing on creative Vegetarian Uramaki and Maki Rolls. They are made fresh to order, and stick to a variety of vegetables that can be rolled tight. You also get gari (pink pickled ginger) on the side, and some wasabi out of a tube for the full experience.
AT JusTaberu, Shop No 39, Raj Acarde, Boraspada Road, opposite DMart, Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West.
COST Rs 150 onwards
K-Town to G-Town
If your social media feed is saturated with K-drama, KorMex is the destination. This vibrant tribute to modern Korean street culture by two 20-something owners began as a cart on the street before it went viral on Instagram, and now has a storefront. Their signature Cheese Corn Dogs (right) — crispy on the outside, molten on the inside — are great in texture, while their Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) deliver a fiery kick. There’s ramen on the menu too, but it’s all made out of Buldak packets and other Korean brands on supermarket shelves.
AT Kormex, Vallabhbaug Lane, Jalaram Nagar, Ghatkopar East.
COST Rs 170 onwards
