A humble jumble of chicken, poha and potato called ‘bhujing’, made popular by the Gawad family in Virar's Agashi, enjoys a cult following even among those who have long left that far northern suburb of Mumbai. Mid-day Online spoke to pioneers and loyalists to understand the origins and appeal of this hot and spicy snack
Known to have originated in Agashi town in Virar, bhujing is a name and a dish that every person from the far-flung suburb has heard growing up. Photo: Chirag Gawad (special arrangement)
Every time Gautam Pardake goes home to Virar, he always seeks his fill of bhujing. While he eats some of it at home, it has now become a ritual for him to take at least two packets back – one for him and another for friends in Thane, where he now lives. “Whenever I leave to visit my parents, I place the order in Thane so that it arrives by the time I reach Virar,” laughs Pardake. “Earlier, when deliveries weren’t possible because my parents’ place was beyond the distance they covered, I used to order it to a friend’s address and pick it up from there.”