ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: +91 9930825268
Address: Shop 8, Rafi Mansion, 28th Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 800
Cuisines: Sri Lankan
Facilities: No Alcohol Available, Indoor Seating, All Day Breakfast, Desserts and Bakes
I’m rejoicing. At last! Sri Lankan Hopper, Kuttu, Vattalapam and more are being offered in Mumbai. And this in the catchily named Hoppumm (Srilankan Hopper meets South Indian Appam). “No bookings,” we were told over the phone. So, we took a chance and popped in (unannounced) really early for dinner.
Hoppumm, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai: Decor
It’s seriously small, but done up to give an airy feel. The walls are painted over with oversize banana leaves. Black and white flooring and inside, there are high chairs against the wall and only one table that seats two – the one we instantly chose.
Hoppumm, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai: Food
What the comprehensive menu offers is a choice of base staple – Hopper, String Hopper (Idiyappam), Neer Dosa, Paratha or Kothu Roti – and you can pair these with your choice of curries or fillings. For the Hopper lover, there are four variants: Traditional, multigrain, spinach-based and String Hoppers (Idiyappam). We ate our way through the menu and it was the Prawn Moilee, silken creamy with coconut and small fresh prawns that came up tops. We ladled it onto the traditional Hopper as well as the multi-grain one and gave both full marks.
Mutton Pepper Fry of small, succulent pieces robustly spiced with coriander red chilly pepper was good. Okay-ish chilli and yoghurt marinated Chicken 65.
My breakfast forever-favorite: Multigrain Dosa with sunny side up egg, grated cheese, chopped chillies and Podi.
For that zing, the spicy sweet onion Sambol Chutney is a must try. Looking for spicy options? Ask for Paneer Pepper Fry and the Ceylon roasted chicken.
Hoppumm, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai: Minus Points
No bookings. No alcohol. No soda. No loo. The stew was too sweet and too thick. Lackluster Chicken Kottu Vattalappam lacked the caramel punch of jaggery.
Hoppumm, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai: My Point
Through my countless trips to Sri Lanka, it’s always been the bowl shaped, fermented Rice Hopper that has bowled me over. Thankfully, the trio (Sahil and Jai Wadhwa, and Lakshit Shetty) share my passion. And having started off as caterers doing pop-ups, finally set up Hoppumm end of last year. Don’t go looking for refined gourmet Sri Lankan fare. Go to Bandra’s tiny joint for some home style Sri Lankan served up in palm leaf disposable plates. Affordably priced, at `500 for a meal for two, Hopper lovers this way please!
