The Heart of Indian Comfort Food As the New Year begins, many of us look for comfort and a fresh start. At Mumbai Square, comfort comes in the form of a golden, puffed-up bread and a bowl of perfectly spiced potatoes. For years, our Puri Aloo has been the ultimate comfort meal for those visiting our Indian restaurant in Aldgate. Today, as a special New Year’s gift, we are sharing the secret to making this traditional Mumbai-style breakfast in your own kitchen.

A Gift from Our Kitchen to Yours Sharing a recipe is like sharing a piece of history. Puri Aloo is a dish enjoyed across India, from street stalls to high-end restaurants. Our version focuses on the “Mumbai Style”—which means it is light, slightly tangy, and incredibly satisfying. We want your 2026 to start with the same joy that a fresh, hot puri brings to our guests.

The Art of the Perfect Puri The biggest secret to our Indian restaurant in Aldgate success with puris is the temperature of the oil. If the oil is too cold, the puri will be greasy. If it is too hot, it will burn before it puffs. It needs to be just right—around 180°C.

• The Dough: Mix whole wheat flour (Atta) with a little bit of semolina (Suji) for extra crunch. Add a teaspoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Knead it into a firm dough—it should be much tighter than bread dough.

• The Roll: Roll them into small, even circles. Don’t use extra flour while rolling; use a drop of oil instead to keep the surface smooth.

• The Fry: Drop the disc into the hot oil and gently press it down with a slotted spoon. Watch the magic happen as it puffs up like a balloon! Flip it, let it turn golden, and drain.

The Soulful Aloo (Potato Curry) The potatoes shouldn’t be mashed, but they shouldn’t be hard either. They should be “melt-in-your-mouth” soft.

• The Tempering: Heat oil and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and a pinch of asafoetida (Hing). Add curry leaves and green chilies for that authentic aroma.

• The Spice: Add turmeric and coriander powder. Toss in boiled, cubed potatoes.

• The Secret Liquid: Add a little water and let it simmer so the potatoes absorb the spices. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and plenty of chopped cilantro.

A Tradition to Share This New Year, we encourage you to gather your loved ones around the table. Let the kids help roll the dough, and enjoy the sizzle of the pan together. Cooking is a gift that keeps on giving, and we are honored to be the Indian restaurant in Aldgate that gets to share these traditions with you.

From the entire family here at Mumbai Square, we wish you a New Year filled with warmth, laughter, and plenty of delicious food. If you find yourself in Aldgate this month, stop by and tell us how your Puri Aloo turned out!

Wishing you a wonderful 2026!