Stories, recipes, interviews, guides and more

The Dishoom Journal - All

Here you’ll find everything that excites us about Bombay. Immerse yourself in stories rich with heritage; savour cherished recipes from our most treasured spots; dive into interviews with talented South Asian creators; and wander through the city with our 24 hour guides to Bombay.

interview

PART TWO: In conversation with Chef Arun Tilak

Read the story behind our biggest menu up-date, to date! With Dishoom’s Executive Chef Arun Tilak. In the second part of this interview, we sink our teeth into the inspiration, regions and surprising ingredients that now shape Dishoom’s food.

Bombay's best Pau Bhajis

We asked some distinguished Bombay friends where to find the best Pau Bhaji in Mumbai

Issue XXII, November

Marigolds, twinkling lights, the orange burn of autumn. Festivities are in full bloom. Diwali is upon us. This Dishoom Loves, we’ve gathered everything you need to welcome in light, warmth and togetherness. And the Diwali celebrations wouldn’t be complete without a most festive special dish at Dishoom.

Issue XXI, October

October. You herald such anticipation! A freshly imagined menu with new tipples, plates and tastes to enjoy. We’ve been knocked over by your enthusiasm at our recent Supper Clubs – a celebration of the exciting and abundant changes. This month, we can’t wait to share our finest (and perhaps most ambitious) menu up-date, to date.

PART ONE: In conversation with Chef Arun Tilak

Tales, tips and tricks from Dishoom's Executive Chef Arun, including his must-have kitchen item and the secret to perfect daal.

Manuja Waldia's Guide to 24 Hours in Goa

To celebrate the launch of our new menu, artist and painter Manuja has created a series of prints for us, beautifully capturing the experience of a meal at Dishoom. She has also kindly provided a local guide for what to see, eat and do in her hometown, the idyllic state of Goa.

Issue XX, September

September. She brings a clean change to the air and with it a whole host of new things to look forward to. Take a look at what Dishoom Loves this month.

Kavi Thakrar's Guide to 24 Hours in Bombay

Dishoom co-founder Kavi Thakrar shares his highly subjective guide to Bombay

Chilli Broccoli Salad

A light, bright, café staple

Total:20 minutes

Bombay: a delicious melting pot

Bombay is a delicious melting pot, where cultures continually mingle and evolve. Read on for the history of Bombay’s cuisine, with its Portuguese, Parsi and Goan influences.

The story of Diwali and Ramayana, by Vayu Naidu

A guest blog post by master storyteller, Vayu Naidu

Chilli Chicken

An Indo-Chinese favourite

Total:40 minutes

Ed Fringe Special, 2024

It’s August. And the streets of Edinburgh are filled with music, art, laughter, song. Creations of every kind ignite the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Outlined below are the acts we’ve circled in our festival programme.

Chicken Berry Britannia Biryani

A best quality recipe to recreate

Total:1 hour 30 minutes

Dishoom's Christmas Turkey

Issue XIX, August

August, the month of colourful carnivals and mirth-filled merriment, has arrived. So it seems only fitting that we should spend it in the pursuit of activities that will warm us up inside, as much as the sun has recently been doing from outside. Here’s what has been catching our attention of late.

Celebrating 20 million meals

20 million meals for children

Issue XVIII, July

The July issue of Dishoom Loves is already here (and perky, for your eyes). Fill your mind with some of the best South Asian talent, from a 17-year-old playwright sharing her life story, to a beauty expert’s top tips and tricks. And, a doctor who writes about henna.

Hosting with Kirthanaa

On heritage, identity and beautiful spaces

Issue XVII, June

June brings the promise of sun-drenched days – or monsoons – balmy nights and a smattering of first-class cultural happenings. Pour yourself a cup of chai, as we offer you a glimpse of the things we are loving this month.

The Art of Mango

Paneer Mango Salad

Showcasing the King of Fruits for the brief but glorious mango season

Total:15 minutes

Dishoom Impact Report 2024

People, community and planet. Read the Dishoom Impact Report 2024 - the things we're proud of and our plans for the future.

Issue XVI, May

May has us buzzing. The scent of the fresh, juicy Alphonso mangoes, two long weekends, cultural exhibitions, new documentaries – there’s a lot to soak in.

Bacon Naan Roll

Featuring recipes for fresh Naan and Tomato-Chilli Jam.

A love letter to Bombay

A love-letter-of-sorts to the city of Bombay

Rajasthani Chicken Stew

A hearty, flavourful North Indian-style stew, special recipe from Chef Rishi’s mum

Total:35 minutes

Issue XV, April

Spring has gently tiptoed in. As the days lengthen and the sun grows bolder, here’s a glimpse of what we eagerly await in April.

Haleem

The origins of Haleem are deeply rooted in history

Total:3.5 hours

Chef Jeremie Tomczak Guide to 24 Hours in New York

Wander through NYC with local guide Jeremie Thomczak, chef at Pastis. Take a look at his top recommendations of things to see, do and of course - eat!

Issue XIV, March

We’re heading into March as we mean to go on: filling our eyes, ears and bellies courtesy of many talented creators in the South Asian community. Whether you’re in the mood for stirring music or a contemplative read, we hope you find something you enjoy.

Dishoom Battersea's Bhatti Chicken special

Also once known as Mr Khatri's Chicken

Bombay’s Modern Art scene meets Dishoom Canary Wharf, by Mortimer Chaterjee

A guest post by dear friend, Mortimer Chatterjee

Issue XIII, February

With February comes a gladdening of spirits, lighter morning skies and discernibly louder birdsong. It is also the month to bid farewell to our winter cocoons (at least partially) and tune back into the world beyond our blankets. Allow us to ease the de-hibernation process, by sharing some of the things piquing our interest this month.

Leopold's café

The Magic of Breakfast

Food for Thought, Fuel for Learning

Issue XII, January

January is a most divisive month. For some it heralds the hopeful turning over of new leaves; for others it is a month to trudge begrudgingly through towards the promise of spring. Whichever camp you find yourself in, we have plentiful diversions to share. See them as the cherry atop your already gleeful January cake, or a welcome distraction while you await winter’s end.

A Night at the Bombay Roxy

Welcome to Dishoom Permit Room Cambridge

The vibe never dims

Issue XI, December

The festive season is about to hit its stocking-clad stride. And while we’ll be Christmas jumper-wearing, mince pie eating and last-minute shopping, we’ll be keeping a close eye out. Here’s our list of things to do in December (in between sips of Chai eggnog).

Chai Pe Charcha with Anita Kaushal, founder of Mauli Rituals

We sit down with Anita Kaushal of Mauli Rituals and other close friends, to discuss the ups and downs of being a female South Asian business owner.

Discovering the theatre and café culture of 1950s Bombay

Theatre and café culture of 1950s Bombay.

Issue X, November

Winter days are truly here — sometimes crisp and sparkling with sunshine, sometimes bleak with lashing rain and biting cold. But, while mornings and evenings may be darker now, there is still an abundance of light in the world (not to mention goodness, beauty and talent) that should be celebrated. Allow us to share what we are doing this month.

The ritual of Zakat

Ramadan, The Month of Giving

Issue IX, October

Autumn is teasing us with the odd chilly morning, and evenings spent bundled in blankets are beckoning. But if we may make a case for venturing out into the crispness, here is what we’re looking forward to in October.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

A celebration of oneness

Dishoom x Magic Breakfast: More than a partnership

Thoughts from Carmel McConnell MBE

What is Vaisakhi?

Issue VIII, September

The sun is momentarily out again. Calendars are fast filling up. There’s many a thing to do and many a friend to meet. And if we may kindly add to the excitement and the plan-making, here’s our list of what we’re looking forward to in September.

Britannia café, a vintage classic

Britannia Café is a lovely piece of vintage Bombay which is slowly disappearing. We visit for a berry pulao and Thums Up, and are greeted by proud owner Mr Kohinoor.

In conversation with Manjit Thaap

We talk to artist Manjit Thapp about bringing her South-Asian culture to her art, and why she felt an immediate connection with our Trailblazers.

Issue VII, August

Welcome to a brand new month of Dishoom Loves. For those who often receive our emails, and for those who follow us on Instagram, you’ll know that we worked together with the ever-so-talented artist Manjit Thapp. So this month, we thought it would be wonderful to hear about all the things Manjit Loves. Have a little read.

Taking the Scenic Route with Sudha Bhuchar

Sudha Bhuchar sat down with us to chat all things Ed Fringe, her 40 year career and life as a middle-aged, middle-class, multicultural mother of dual-heritage.

Ed Fringe Special, 2023

Each year as August dawns, the streets and rooms and corners of Edinburgh fill with music, art, laughter and song. Wander into grand halls and pokey pubs, as the morning sun rises or in the dark of night, to see creations of every kind as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In honour of this wonderful celebration of the performing arts (and as a little treat), this was a special edition Dishoom Loves, covering all the acts we’d circled on our festival programme at Fringe in August 2023.

What is Navroz?

A new year celebration of spring, life, and renewal

Cheese & Masala Sticks

Simple yet moreish spiced cheese-and-pastry twirls

Total:30 minutes

Dishoom Loves Issue VI

This month we gathered together in east London for The Trailblazers – a Dishoom Presents event that shone the spotlight on three rule-breaking women (Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sophia Duleep Singh and Homai Vyarawalla), whose stories were often hidden between the pages of history.

What is Ramadan?

A time for reflection

Taj Ballroom Toddy

A warming tipple for the festive season

Total:10 minutes

Celebrating Homai Vyarawalla

Preserving moments and memories

Issue V, June

From books to read in the sunshine, exhibitions to sneak into when the clouds come out and a special historical moment. Read on for all the things we're loving in June.

A celebration of chutneys

Dip, dab or daub to your heart's content

Reflections from Bhawani Singh Shekhawat, CEO at Akshaya Patra UK

We are so fortunate, still.

Issue IV, May

Along with each new month comes a smattering of new cultural happenings. And as the sun shines brighter, diaries fill up faster. This May, make space in your calendar for some of the brilliant things Dishoom Loves.

The Dishoom Shoreditch Verandah

On a sunny day, somewhere in East London

Dishoom x Dialogues of Diaspora – Shamil Thakrar and Shalina Patel

Identity. Representation. History. Evolution. Diversity.

Chilli Garlic Crab

A Special Seafood Recipe

Total:30 minutes

Uttapam Pancake Stack

Chef Naved has shared his recipe for making an extra fluffy stack at home

Total:20 minutes

Issue III, April

As before, we’re so pleased to share with you a collection of first-class recommendations and much-loved cultural fixtures that we’re currently enjoying. And as we revel in the longer days and shorter nights, here’s a quick selection of all things Dishoom loves.

Fasting and Feasting – Notes on Ramadan & Eid, by Rida Bilgrami

A guest post by Rida Bilgrami

The History of Dishoom Chai

Why this spicy-sweet cup of comfort is so important to us

What is Eid Al Fitr – The celebration of breaking fast (Iftar)

Eid-al-Fitr is welcomed with great joy after a month of austerity.

Issue II, March

As February draws to a close, March brings a promise of spring, longer days and a collection of first-class recommendations that we’re looking to enjoy over the coming month. Settle in with a chai, as we share more of what Dishoom Loves.

Celebrating Women in Indian Cinema

with 'Not Just Bollywood' film season

Coriander Mint Chutney

Serve with hot grills, for dipping and daubing as you see fit.

Total:15 minutes

The History of Raksha Bandhan

A Celebration of Brotherhood

Date recipes for Eid, by Ayesha Erkin

Ayesha Erkin shares one of her delectable date recipes

Total:17 minutes

Dishoom x Dialogues of Diaspora – 'An Unexpected History' by Shalina Patel

Suffragette Indian princesses, espionage agents and a complimentary tour of the Egyptian pyramids

What is Holi?

BURA NA MANO, HOLI HAI!

A Dishoom Covent Garden poem, by Joe Winter

A poem on Dishoom Covent Garden, by Joe Winter

Designing Dishoom – Irani café inspration

Bombay's 'hot' Jazz scene by Dom James

Zeenat Kulavoor's Guide to 24 Hours in Bombay

Typographer, creative director and lifetime Bombayite Zeenat Kulavoor shares her top picks from her beloved city

Banana and Date Porridge

An ideal breakfast for chilly mornings

Total:20 minutes

From Bombay to London, by Pooja

Before I moved to London I was told often how similar it is to Bombay.

Unlimited food for education by Bhawani Singh Shekhawat

By Bhawani Singh Shekhawat

Serving suggestions for our Permit Room Old Fashioned

Our chief Daru-walla expertly guides us on the perfect serve of our Permit Room Old-Fashioned cocktail at home

Lamb Raan

An ideal centrepiece recipe for dinner parties and family celebrations.

Total:4 and a half hours

Bademiya Grill House

Every Bombayite knows Bademiya...

Issue I, February

Each month hereon we look forward to sharing with you, our dear friends, a collection of first-class recommendations and much-loved cultural fixtures that we’re currently enjoying. And with much to look forward to in February, here’s what Dishoom Loves.