A bowl of spicy red gravy loaded with sprouts and chillies, a side of crispy farsan, onions and more, and a pair of perfect pav buns on the side to dunk into the gravy—that's basically everything that makes Misal Pav what it is. A Maharashtrian snack beyond compare, Misal Pav is now so popular that even global food guides rank it at the top of every list! And why not? Misal Pav, especially Misal Pav in Pune, is the perfect medley of spicy, sour and lipsmackingly delicious street foods India has to offer.
But are you wondering why the Misal Pav in Pune beats all others? This is because while Kolhapur might have the spiciest Misal Pav varieties and Mumbai might have the fanciest Misal Pav, Pune delivers the best of both worlds while also maintaining its own signature tastes and trends. Want to know more about Misal Pav in Pune? Here’s every detail you will ever need.
1. Introduction to Misal Pav
Misal Pav is woven into the very fabric of Pune’s street food scene as a dish that upholds the local love for spices, the much-loved Pav or Ladi Pav bread and the crunch of fresh farsaan. The sprouted legumes, referred to as Matki are the central feature of Misal Pav. Cooked in a spicy gravy or Rassa, the Matki transforms into a lip-smacking delight for those who love their spicy food really hot. To this Matki, fresh farsaan, which is a mix of gram flour sticks and fried legumes is added along with onions and coriander leaves. Many people also add a splash of lemon juice to it.
To soak up all the goodness of the Misal, Puneris offer Pav bread, which is fluffy and good at imbibing all the goodness of the sprouted legumes flavour. Simple and yet packed with robust flavours, Misal Pav in Pune offers people with a filling meal that is also pocket-friendly and suited to local tastes. From humble roadside stalls to more upscale restaurants, Misal Pav in Pune is an all-rounder dish appealing to people from all walks of life.
Video Credit: Youtube/Hebbars Kitchen
2. Exploring the Types of Misal Pav
In recent years, the varieties of Misal Pav in Pune have increased beyond the traditional Nashik Misal Pav, Kolhapuri Misal Pav and Khandeshi Misal Pav. Nowadays, some of the trendiest varieties of Misal Pav in Pune are listed as follows:
1. Dahi Misal Pav: Well-suited to those who like the flavours of Misal Pav but can’t stand its excessive spiciness, Dahi Misal Pav adds a dash of yoghurt to the Matki to lower the spice levels. In addition, fresh yoghurt is also served on the side so that foodies can customize the Misal Pav according to their own needs.
2. Bunny Chow Misal Pav: What happens when an African favourite meets the Puneri favourite? This dish of course. Instead of a traditional Pav on the side, this trendy Misal Pav variety has the Matki and Misal placed inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread. Topped with Farsaan and cheese, this Bunny Chow Misal Pav is a new age delight.
3. Cheese Misal Pav: Love cheese? Then this Cheesy Misal Pav is tailor-made for you. The Misal is loaded with plenty of grated cheese and sometimes the pav is also stuffed or toasted with cheese to add more flavour to the Misal Pav and turn it into a modern delight that even kids will love.
3. Techniques Behind Authentic Misal Pav
A traditional Maharashtrian delight, Misal Pav in Pune can easily be made at home as well. Here are some of the key techniques and pressure points behind the spicy and delicious dish that is Misal Pav in Pune.
1. Sprouting the legumes: Moth beans and moong beans need to be soaked and then placed in a moist jar to let them sprout properly. Sprouting increases the nutritional value of the beans and makes them easier to digest. This element adds a tempering of health to Misal Pav in Pune.
2. Preparing the spice blend: The spice blend for Misal Pav can vary depending on whether the dish is Kolhapuri, Puneri or from Nashik. However, the spice blend for Misal Pav in Pune always has coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, black peppers and lots of dried red chillies that are dry roasted and then ground into a powder.
3. Making the Tikhat Misal: Nailing the spicy gravy made with a blend of the sprouted legumes and the spice mix is the key technique to make the Misal Pav what it is—a soupy and spicy delicacy. Onions and tomatoes are sauteed with garlic, then the sprouts and spices are added along with water to make the gravy.
4. Garnishing the Misal: A tadka of oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida is often added to the cooked Misal. Then, it is served in a bucket or large bowl along with a variety of garnishes like Farsaan, chopped onions, coriander leaves and sev. Nowadays, cheese, lemon wedges and other garnishes may also be offered depending on the Misal Pav variety you are eating.
5. Caring for the Pav: In general, the Pav served with Misal is not toasted as it allows the Misal gravy to be soaked up better. Yet, if you want to add more flavour, then toasting the Misal Pav with a bit of butter may be a good idea.
4. Misal Pav's Historical Connection to Pune
As a dish, Misal Pav did not originate in Pune, Rather, Misal Pav is a dish from the Khandesh region of Western Maharashtra, specifically Nashik and Ahmednagar districts. It is believed that in these areas, Misal Pav was born in the 17th Century. And yet, the popularity of Misal Pav only grew with two popular Nashik eateries, Bhagvantrao and Kamla Vijay, both of which have been operating for around a century now. Well-loved by locals and pocket-friendly, Misal Pav then travelled to cities like Kolhapur and Pune in the last century.
In Pune, Misal Pav quickly became even more popular as its flavours appealed to all. With iconic old shops like Katakkir and Bhadait Misal operating for decades now, Misal Pav has become more popular than ever. What helped Misal Pav in Pune grow was the fact that this city already has a great café culture and love for Maharashtrian street foods, which is why a spicy and appealing dish like Misal Pav could gain a foothold pretty soon and permanently here.
5. The Aromas and Tastes of Misal Pav
Misal Pav in Pune is known for its very spicy flavours, so the first thing that hits you when you come across a droolworthy plate of this dish is that of spicy pungence. The aroma of red chillies is particularly high in Misal Pav, especially if it is made using traditional spices. At first bite, the spiciness of the Misal Pav isn’t as evident to those who soak only a bit of the Pav in the Misal. And yet, if you taste the Misal on its own, the spiciness of the dish can be very overwhelming.
To counter this spiciness, additions like Farsaan, sev and onions are made. A splash of lemon juice can also help cut through the heat of the gravy. It is also recommended that those with a low spice tolerance should opt for the mildest varieties of Misal Pav in Pune, or ensure that a bowl of fresh yoghurt or buttermilk is available on the side to wash it down more easily.
6. Pune’s's Top Misal Pav Spots
Misal Pav in Pune is not just a dish, but an emotion, a favourite staple without which the city’s culinary tapestry is incomplete. When in Pune, these are some of the most famous Misal Pav spots you should try out.
1. Katakirr, Karve Nagar: One of the most iconic Misal Pav places in Pune, Katakirr is also one of the oldest. This place offers Misal with different levels of spices, which is well-suited to people who have a low spice tolerance while also being welcoming for people who love their Misal red hot.
2. Bhadait Misal, Erandwane: Another one of the oldest Misal Pav in Pune, Bhadait Misal manages to stay in style by being pocket-friendly and maintaining high quality standards. The Misal Thali here offers Misal Pav in an avatar that not many people may know about.
3. Vaidhya Upahar Gruha, Budhwar Peth: One of the oldest Misal Pav places in Pune, Vaidhya Upahar Gruha is located in the old Cantonment area. Here, Misal Pav is served with bread slices as well as Pav. Legend has it that this place has been running since colonial times,
4. Aabachi Misal, Rasta Peth: Always crowded and well loved for its delicious Misal Pav, Aabachi Misal is relatively new as a Misal Pav eatery but can compete with the oldest when it comes to taste and flavours.
5. Rupesh Misal, Dehu Road: Located on the very busy Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Rupesh Misal attracts a huge crowd of travellers and tourists with its special Misal Pav plates. Hygienic and clean, this eatery is a must-visit while you are travelling to and from Pune.
7. Pune Misal Pav's Global Appeal
As a dish, Misal Pav offers up a medley of tastes, textures and flavours—which is why it is now recognised the world over as one of the most famous Maharashtrian dishes, second only to Vada Pav. As a snack, the appeal of Misal Pav is high among people of all ages because the dish is spicy, easy to eat and very easily available in Pune as well as many other Indian cities. In fact, Misal Pav is one of the dishes that now has a global appeal as Maharashtrians travelling and settling the world over have also taken this dish along with them to their new homes, and many have also started businesses based on the much-loved flavours of the dish. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that anybody in the world who loves spicy food will fall head over heels in love with Misal Pav in Pune.