Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding — Restaurant in Mumbai

Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding in Matunga, Mumbai is a legendary institution in many ways.  The founder Rama Nayak was the pioneer who introduced the Uduipi cuisine to Mumbai and beyond with a very humble beginnings of starting a boarding and lodging space in the South Indian population heavy Matunga area several decades ago.  During my numerous visits to Mumbai, I had the privilege of dining here several times and was humbled and honoured to be served by the legend himself.  Beyond a business the care uncle used to take while serving the clientele who are mostly bachelors from Southern part of India, craving for home food while relocating or visiting Mumbai on work.  The utmost love with which he pours that extra ghee, or literally forces you to have another five puris or an additional mound of rice, uncle is an extraordinary person who loves to take care of guests visiting his restaurant.  Now that uncle is no more, the legend's works is carried out by his family who are equally passionate and take utmost care to guests that I got to experience with a tad bit of nostalgia and

It was very emotional for me to visit the place again after several years, and still get the same amount of warm hospitality that I am family with from my visits years ago.  This time again, they stuffed me with more puris that I can handle, and more rice than I can manage, but no I am not complaining and I polished it all off with wonderful sambar or the Karnataka style huli, with a fantastic rasam that followed.  My way of overeating here is the respect that I pay to the late founder and his love for serving people with love and overindulging them with good quality tasty food at a very affordable price.  I remember it used to be 100 rupees then, where you pay extra if you want the sweet of the day, to be included in your meal, but now the price of the entire meal is 275 that includes the sweet dish too.  The watered buttermilk was well made, not very spicy, but just what I needed with my meal on a hot afternoon, and it was unlimited.  In Fact the whole meal is unlimited except the curd, and the sweet choice of the day.  The sweet options that day were Payasam of the day, carrot halwa, aamrakhand, rasgulla, mysore pudding or gulab jamun.  I opted for a mysore pudding which was decadent, rich and extremely sweet but thoroughly enjoyable.  Ending the meal on this sweet note, I chatted up with the current owners who were extremely happy with my visit after several years, while I thanked them for continuing the tradition and left as they got back to what was an extremely busy...

There's nothing outwardly remarkable or impressive about India's oldest and probably the world's first fast food restaurant. Even its name is an unimaginative mouthful — A. Rama Nayak's Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding.

Yet, back in 1942, at a time when high quality, dependably hygienic and tasteful food á la Macdonalds was not even a gleam in Ray Croc's eyes, Mr A Rama Nayak, a resident of Udipi, South India, brought his region's cooking skills to Bombay, and opened a boarding house near the station at Matunga East. After his death, his son Satish took the helm. He is 65 now and joyously feeds a thousand and more every day.

Over the years, this amazing meal, served on a plantain leaf, has become the reason why crowds throng to Matunga at lunchtime, queue up along a narrow corridor and wait their turn to eat one of the most unforgettable hot vegetarian meals you can eat in Mumbai.

Udupi cuisine, an important part of Tuluva-Mangalorean cuisine, is a style of cooking that takes its name from Udupi, a city on the southwest coast of India in the Tulunadu region, and comprises dishes made primarily from grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. The food is strictly Indian vegetarian, and of the satvik variety, which means they do not onions or garlic.

You will get a waiting token and be seated at a functional marble-top table when your turn comes. Meals are typically served on plantain leaves (though rimmed stainless steel plates will be furnished on request).

Homilies to hygiene are everywhere: ‘The owner of this restaurant also eats here', "The difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a little longer', and ‘Those willing to see the kitchen may do so,’ — an open invitation to inspect the kitchen for its hygiene standards are all over the place.

The restaurant is also stern about people wasting food. When the price of pigeon peas (tuvar dal) went up, a notice warned Rama Nayak customers that anyone who wasted dishes that had that lentil would be billed extra.

The three-course meal is typically south Indian — a sambar-based first course, a rasam-based second course, and yoghurt rice at the end if you wish. Several vegetables will be served, as well as pickles, a choice of desserts, and as much salted, spicy buttermilk as you can put away.

A complete meal for two would cost you less than 3 dollars.

I've been eating at Rama Nayak's for decades. I can't remember once that my stomach went for a toss...

Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding, nestled in the heart of Mumbai, is a culinary gem that serves authentic South Indian thali meals with unmatched flavor and hospitality. This iconic eatery has earned a reputation for its delicious food, warm service, and cozy ambiance. This restaurant was opened by Shri. Sane Guruji.

Ambiance As you step into Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding, you'll be greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere that's quintessentially South Indian. The restaurant's interior is simple yet elegant, with traditional decor that adds to the authentic feel of the place.

Food The thali is the star of the show here, and Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding's offering is nothing short of spectacular. The meal typically includes a variety of dishes such as sambar, rasam, avial, poriyal, and a selection of desserts, all served with steaming hot rice, puri, pulka and crispy papadum. Each component is carefully prepared and presented, showcasing the rich flavors and textures of South Indian cuisine.

Some must-try items on the menu include: South Indian Thali: A classic meal (full meals) that showcases the best of South Indian cuisine, with a variety of dishes served with rice and papadum.

Service The staff at Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding are friendly and attentive, always happy to answer questions about the menu. The service is prompt and efficient, ensuring that your meal is served hot and fresh.

Value for Money Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding offers excellent value for money, with prices starting from around ₹150-300 per person for a thali meal. Given the quality and quantity of food, it's a steal.

Tips Arrive early to avoid the crowds, especially during peak hours. Try the special thalis, which often feature seasonal ingredients and unique flavor combinations. Don't miss the opportunity to try their signature dishes kokum rasam.

Overall, Shri Krishna Udipi Boarding is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience authentic South Indian cuisine in Mumbai. With its delicious food, warm service, and excellent value for money, it's a restaurant that will leave you feeling satisfied and eager to return.

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