The Bombay Sandwich is a popular street food in Mumbai. It's made with sandwich bread, coriander chutney, and layers of beetroot, potato, tomato, onion, and cucumber. Enjoy it anytime—perfect for a quick, tasty snack or meal!
I grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai) and have enjoyed these kacha sandwiches Bombay Pav Bhaji and sev puri from street food vendors regularly. My mum made them for us for years, and now, I've been making them for my family for almost 20 years.
I can confidently say that I know how to make the authentic version at home, and it's easier than you might think. It's all about how you layer the ingredients and the right combinations that make it taste so delicious.
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What is Bombay Sandwich?
A Bombay Sandwich is a popular street food in Mumbai, known for its fresh flavors and veggie-loaded filling. Street vendors often call it a "kacha sandwich" when served cold or a "Bombay grilled sandwich" when toasted. If you’re in Mumbai, you’ll find plenty of veggie sandwich options at street stalls and eateries, making it a favorite snack across the city!
Why This Recipe Works
- It's light and fresh, making it perfect for a quick snack or meal.
- You can make it up in under 30 minutes – so easy!
- Uses simple ingredients like veggies, butter, bread, and a delicious coriander chutney (I've got you covered with that!).
- The flavors are so vibrant and satisfying, yet it’s super simple to make.
- It gives you that authentic Mumbai street food taste right at home!
Ingredients
- Bread: For a true street vendor-style Bombay sandwich, white bread is best.
- Coriander Chutney: They key chutney of the sandwich that adds a burst of flavors
- Salted Butter: I use spreadable butter like Lurpak for a close match to Amul butter.
- Veggies: Cucumber, boiled potato, onion, beetroot, and tomato. If you can find pink Bombay onions, they offer the most authentic flavor. Otherwise, red onions work too.
- Seasoning: I use chaat masala, cumin powder (optional) salt, and pepper. If you can find Bombay sandwich masala, it’s the ideal choice.
Substitutions & Variations
- Bread: Swap with whole wheat, multigrain, or soft rye bread for a healthier option.
- Butter: If using salted butter, let it soften to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Seasoning: Bombay sandwich masala is the perfect seasoning, but if it’s unavailable, chaat masala and just a simple mix of salt and pepper works well.
- Double-Decker Version: Add an extra slice of bread in the middle and fill it with chutney and boiled potatoes for a heartier sandwich.
- Chutney variation: You could use my raw mango coriander chutney or easy green chutney made with coriander, mint leaves and few others.
- To make grill sandwich, make sure to spread a layer of butter on the top and underside too.
How to Make Bombay Sandwich recipe?
- Make the Coriander Chutney: Add all the ingredients to a blender and grind until smooth.
- Prep the Veggies: Boil the potatoes and beetroot, then peel and slice them thin. Slice the cucumber, tomatoes, and onions thinly (less than ⅛ cm).
- Trim the Bread: Remove the crusts from the bread slices.
- Butter the Bread: Spread a generous amount of butter on each slice.
- Spread the Chutney: Apply a layer of coriander chutney on both sides of the bread.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Layer the veggies—beet slices, potato slices, tomato slices, cucumber slices, and onion—on one slice of bread.
- Season: Sprinkle chaat masala, cumin powder, and seasoning over the veggies.
- Finish: Place the other slice of bread on top, then slice into rectangles or triangles. Serve immediately with tomato ketchup or extra coriander chutney.
Serving Suggestions
This Mumbai vegetable sandwich is delicious on its own or served with a side of tomato ketchup, just like the street vendors do! You can also pair it with extra coriander chutney for an added burst of flavor.
Recipe FAQ's
A traditional club sandwich usually includes meat like chicken or turkey, along with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The Indian club sandwich, often called the "Bombay Veg Grilled Sandwich," replaces the meat, lettuce, and mayo with spiced boiled potatoes and cilantro chutney. It’s usually grilled, and sometimes topped with cheese, giving it a delicious, vegetarian twist.
The Bombay sandwich is loved for its mix of fresh vegetables, tangy chutneys, and flavorful spices. It’s a great example of Mumbai’s street food, offering a combination of crunchy bread and fresh, flavorful fillings that make each bite exciting.
Yes, you can definitely add garlic to cilantro chutney. I use it sometimes myself. If you prefer, you can skip the mint and just use coriander.
I don’t recommend packing this sandwich for road trips because it can get soggy. For other sandwiches without watery ingredients, wrap them in foil and place them in a tiffin box to keep them fresh during your trip.
Yes, you can! Just swap in vegan butter, and the rest of the ingredients are already vegan.
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Ingredients
- 8 White Bread Slices
- 1 cup Green Chutney
- 1 Cucumber sliced thin
- 1 Onions sliced thin
- 1 Tomatoes sliced thin
- 2 Potatoes boiled, sliced thin
- Beetroot cooked, sliced thin ( optional)
- 2 teaspoon Chat powder
- Tomato Ketchup to serve
- 4 tablespoon Salted butter spreadable
Instructions
Assembling the Sandwich
- Spread the butter lavishly on both the slices of bread. Top it with coriander chutney. Arrange in layers of cucumber,tomato, onion, potato rings & beetroot slices on the bottom slice of the bread. Sprinkle some chat powder . Top it with the other slice . Cut them in squares or triangles, just as u enjoy. Serve immediately with ketchup.
- I had run out of beetroot and hence did not add it to my sandwich.
Notes
If chat powder is not available at home , a good decent seasoning of salt and pepper will do the needful. Chat powder is easily available to buy across any Indian grocer.
Rafeeda AR says
I love this sandwich! Once a week, I order it from a cafe close to our office, it is simple yet filling, never made them at home though I know they are easy to make... as usual, eye pleasing pictures...
Jyothi Rajesh says
I love mumbai sandwich, it's so simple and yet tastes delicious! In love with your photos dear.
Priya Suresh says
My god, this sandwich makes me hungry..