Restaurant Spotlight: 5 Luscious Persian Delicacies You Must Try At Cafe Mommy Joon In Mumbai

If there was ever a cuisine that deserved wider recognition and fanfare for its treasure trove of flavors, it's Middle Eastern food. So it’s kind of great seeing the gourmands of Mumbai realizing the charm of this flavorful cuisine and by doing so, paving the way for more Middle Eastern food serving restaurants to set-up-shop.

Though there are aplenty great Middle Eastern and Persian restaurants dotting the culinary landscape of Mumbai, relatively a new entrant, Cafe Mommy Joon is definitely the place to be for a holistic experience. Serving the crowning jewel from the realm of Middle Eastern cuisine, Café Mommy Joon offers authentic Persian fare that is not limited to just Shawarma & Kabobs.

Their brilliant menu offers authentic Irani specialties including some lesser-known, obscure dishes, recipes of which have been passed down through generations. Besides being delectable their food is also considered healthy as most preparations are made in olive oil, yogurt, and topped with dry fruits.

For those who are not well acquainted with Persian & Middle Eastern cuisine, here are our top 5 ‘must-try' suggestions from Café Mommy Joon’s menu that should be on every foodie’s bucket list:

1. Salad Shirazi

Originated from the beautiful city of Shiraz in south-western Iran, Salad Shirazi or Salad-e- Shirazi is a fresh and light no-lettuce salad that makes for the perfect side dish that goes with almost any entree. Made with just three main ingredients- cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, plus dry mint, olive oil, and lemon juice, this refreshing Persian classic is adored for its crisp flavors.

2. Kabobs

This signature Persian delicacy is a no-brainer. Café Mommy Joon’s menu curates an exquisite range of traditional Persian Kabobs that are served with grilled tomatoes, chilies, lemon, pickles, and your choice of saffron rice or roti. Our top suggestions from their range include their succulent Joojeh Kabob (barbequed chicken breast/leg fillet), and Kabob Koobideh (barbequed & seasoned ground lamb Kabob).

3. Zereshk Polow

Much like a ‘Pulao’ or ‘Pilaf’, Polow is a Persian layered rice dish that features a milieu of varied ingredients including meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and/or herbs. cooked have ancient origins. Our fave from Café Mommy Joon’s whole section of this Persian staple is the Zereshk Polow (aka ‘jeweled rice’) made with Persian barberries, giving this delicacy its signature tart flavor and a jewel-laden appearance. Café Mommy Joon’s delicious rendition is served with infused saffron rosed onion sauce and tender chicken leg/paneer koftas (in vegetarian version).

4. Mahiche & Baghali Polow (Persian Lamb Shanks with Broad Bean Rice)

One of the fanciest Persian main-course dishes, Mahiche with Baghali Polow is a traditional delicacy that features the sumptuous combination of rice steamed with broad beans and dill (Baghali Polow) and the fork-tender lamb shanks that are served beside the rice (Mahiche).

5. Baklava

Those who love desserts are sure to be floored with the sheer variety of traditional Persian sweet treats on the menu. We highly recommend trying their Akbar Mashti + Baklava featuring the winning combination of crisp filo layers, filled with nuts & served with Café Mommy Joon’s signature Ice Cream.