Ace tennis superstar Roger Federer is on a trip to London as a part of his video series "Around the world with Roger Federer”, a campaign that is sponsored by the famous Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo. As part of that series, he was in London and took this opportunity to visit a very popular Iranian-style restaurant, Dishoom, which is a favourite joint of the locals to enjoy a hearty breakfast.
The restaurant features authentic cuisine from the streets of Bombay and from the kitchens of Irani cafes that are so popular in the city. Federer visited the King’s Cross restaurant and spent time talking to the co-founders of Dishoom, Shamil and Kavi Thakrar. They explained the significance of the cuisine in Bombay's food culture and how the Zoroastrian refugees made Parsi food accessible and accepted among the local population. He even tried his hand at preparing a naan in the kitchen with the chef.
When it came to trying out the food, Federer chose one of their most popular dishes, which is Dishoom’s signature, the Big Bombay Breakfast. The platter is a twist on the popular big English breakfast. The dishes that are part of this platter include:
Recipe - Roxanne Bamboat
- Akuri: This dish is Parsi-style scrambled eggs and is the main attraction of this breakfast platter.
- Sausages: High-quality sausages are another component of the meal.
- Bacon: Bacon strips or rashers are often included as well.
- Grilled tomatoes: Grilled tomatoes add a juicy and slightly tangy element to the breakfast while maintaining the essence of British breakfast.
- Masala baked beans: Baked beans are cooked in spicy desi sauces to add a twist.
- Buttered pau: Soft, layered makkhan pao is a very important dish on the platter, which holds the meal together.
This dish is a super popular for breakfast, and the morning rush at Dishoom can be attributed to it. Along with the Big Bombay breakfast, Federer tried the best Indian beverage from the selection—a cup of hot chai! If we have heard of the perfect breakfast meal, then this is it! From pao to akuri to cutting chai, Roger tasted the best from Parsi and Iranian cafes of Mumbai in London!
If reading about this meal and Roger enjoying it brought you joy, we have a list of five more Parsi dishes that you must give a try when at an Iranian restaurant.
Dhansak: This is a traditional Parsi dish made with a blend of lentils, vegetables, and meat. It's known for its sweet and spicy flavour profile, as it combines ingredients like tamarind and various spices, including the special dhansak masala. Dhansak is typically served with steamed rice.
Recipe - Roxanne Bamboat
Sali Boti: A Parsi slow-cooked meat dish that features tender pieces of lamb or mutton cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy, Sali boti is truly delicious. It's garnished with crispy fried potato sticks that add a nice crunch to the dish.
Patra ni Machi: It is a Parsi fish preparation where fish fillets, often pomfret or whitefish, are marinated in a spicy green chutney made from coriander, mint, coconut, and green chillies. The marinated fish is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, infusing it with a subtle aroma.
Lagan Nu Custard: Lagan nu custard is a popular creamy baked custard infused with cardamom and topped with a layer of caramelised sugar. This Parsi dessert is often served at Parsi weddings (lagans), hence the name.
Parsi Pulav: This pulav is a unique rice dish made with long-grain basmati rice, caramelised onions, and berries. It often includes ingredients like dried fruits, fried potatoes, and tender pieces of meat, creating a tasty one-pot meal. It goes well with sali boti.