Mumbai Masala Sandwich
Mumbai Masala Sandwich is a yummy street snack of crispy toasted sandwiches spiced with coriander chutney, stuffed with a delicious savory mashed potato stuffing and topped with a few crunchy veggies and then grilled or toasted. These masala toast sandwiches are a popular street food snack from Mumbai a.k.a Bombay.
These Bombay masala sandwiches are my family’s favorite sandwich. Since we all are fond of the typical Mumbai street food, I make them often at home.
The potato masala or stuffing is made with boiled and mashed potatoes, which is then tempered with spices. Easy to make, especially if you have leftover boiled or mashed potatoes.
The sandwiches are spiced up with a spicy green chutney and chaat masala or sandwich masala. Overall it is a flavorful filling and carb-loaded sandwich. If you like potatoes then I am sure you will like these sandwiches.
I was born and brought up in Mumbai. So no wonder, I am used to eating all the Mumbai road-side food like Vada Pav, Batata Vada, Bhel Puri, Pani Puri and the list is endless.
I took all these Mumbai fast food delicacies for granted till I visited and stayed in other parts of India. Then I missed the Mumbai snacks and street food. Difficult to get the same kind of stuff in other parts of India.
Sandwiches are very popular in Mumbai. You will find a sandwich stall near every almost college, near railway stations, in markets etc. I am used to eating sandwiches outside since my school days and then later during my college days. My mom also used to make sandwiches at home. But I always preferred the spicy sandwiches made by the Bombay roadside vendors.
One of my favorite places to eat the Bombay masala cheese toast sandwich and Bombay Sandwich was the Swastik sandwich stall in Santacruz (West) – Mumbai and the sandwich stall near my college. I also remember buying their swastik sandwich masala when back in Mumbai.
How to make Bombay Masala Sandwich
For preparing green chutney
1. Take 1 cup tightly packed coriander leaves, ½ teaspoon chaat masala powder, 1 to 2 green chilies (chopped) in a chutney grinder jar.
I usually add 2 to 3 green chilies as we prefer a bit spicy chutney in the sandwiches. You can also add half-half of coriander leaves and mint leaves. Just add a pinch or two of salt, as chaat masala already has salt in it.
2. Grind or blend the chutney ingredients till smooth. No need to add water. But if you cannot blend or grind, then add 1 or 2 teaspoons of water.
I did not add water as there was enough moisture after rinsing the coriander leaves to help them grind to a smooth chutney.
3. Collect the coriander chutney in a bowl. Check the taste and add more salt if required. Cover and keep the chutney aside if you are making sandwiches immediately or else refrigerate.
If not using immediately, sprinkle a few drops of lemon or lime juice, so that the chutney color does not darken.
Making potato masala stuffing
1. Rinse 3 to 4 medium potatoes very well with water and then steam or cook them in a pressure cooker or steamer. The potatoes should be cooked very well and fork tender.
You can cook the potatoes choose any method that suits you. Boil or steam them in an Instant Pot, stovetop pressure cooker or a pan adding water as required.
2. When the potatoes are warm, peel and mash them with a vegetable masher in a bowl.
3. Heat ½ tablespoon oil in a shallow pan and add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds. Keep the heat to low while frying mustard seeds.
4. When the mustard seeds crackle, add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida (hing). Fry for a few seconds or till the cumin seeds splutter and change color. Keep the heat on low so that the spices do not get burnt.
5. Add 1 or 2 green chilies (finely chopped).
6. Then add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder.
7. Stir and mix well.
8. Add 8 to 10 curry leaves (kept whole or chopped). Stir again.
9. Add the mashed potatoes.
10. Season with salt according to taste.
11. Stir and mix the potatoes with the rest of the spices. Saute on a low heat for 2 minutes.
12. Then add ⅓ cup chopped coriander leaves. You can add ¼ cup too. I prefer to add more.
13. Mix and saute for a minute. Keep this potato masala filling aside. Let it become warm or cool down at room temperature.
Assembling Masala Toast Sandwich
1. Slice 1 medium onion and 1 medium tomato, thinly. Keep aside.
2. Spread butter evenly on the bread slices. A generous coating of butter does not allow the bread to become soggy, when you apply the chutney.
You can choose Brown bread, Wheat bread, multi grain or White bread. If you want you can even slice off the edges of the bread.
3. Now spread the coriander chutney. The coriander chutney can be made a day before and refrigerated.
4. Spread the potato masala filling on the bread slices.
5. Place 1 or 2 or 3 tomato slices.
6. Then place 1 or 2 or 3 onion slices. You can also add some cucumber or capsicum slices if you like.
7. Sprinkle a pinch or two of chaat masala powder, black salt (can use edible rock salt or regular salt too) and roasted cumin powder.
At this point you can also add some cheddar cheese or processed cheese to make cheese masala toast sandwich.
8. Cover with the remaining slices on which we have spread the butter and chutney.
9. Place in a preheated toaster or grill. You can also toast these sandwiches in a handheld stovetop toaster. Preheat the toaster or grill, as per the manufacturer’s instructions and then place the masala sandwiches.
10. Toast the sandwiches till crisp and golden. Remove in a plate and spread some butter on top of the sandwiches. Spreading butter is an optional step.
11. Serve Mumbai masala toast sandwiches hot or warm with tomato ketchup and the remainder coriander chutney. You can also sprinkle some fine sev on the sandwiches while serving.
They make for a filling and satisfying brunch, lunch or evening snack. It is best to have these masala sandwiches while still hot or warm. On cooling the texture of the toasted bread can become chewy.
If you plan to make these toast sandwiches for breakfast then make the chutney a night before and refrigerate. Make ahead the potato filling and refrigerate but don’t add coriander leaves in the potato masala stuffing.
You can add the coriander leaves to the potato stuffing the next day. Then assemble and toast or grill these sandwiches. Also chop the veggies when you are going to assemble these masala sandwiches.
More Sandwich varieties
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Mumbai Masala Sandwich | Bombay Masala Toast Sandwich
Ingredients
For green chutney
- 1 cup tightly packed coriander leaves or ½ cup each of mint leaves and coriander leaves
- ½ teaspoon Chaat Masala Powder
- 1 to 2 green chilies, I added 3 as we like spicy chutney for sandwiches
- salt as required
- 1 to 2 teaspoons water for grinding, optional
For potato masala stuffing
- 3 to 4 medium potatoes or 1.5 cups mashed potatoes
- ½ tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 or 2 green chilies , finely chopped
- 8 to 10 curry leaves , kept whole or chopped
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- ⅓ cup chopped coriander leaves – you can add ¼ cup too. i prefer to add more
- salt as required
Other ingredients
- 12 slices bread – white, brown, whole wheat or multi grain bread
- 1 medium onion, peeled, rinsed and thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, rinsed and thinly sliced
- 1 small capsicum, rinsed and thinly sliced (optional)
- Butter as required
- Chaat Masala or sandwich masala as required
- Roasted Cumin Powder as required, optional
- black salt or rock salt or regular salt as required
Instructions
Making green chutney
- Blend all the ingredients mentioned under the list ‘for green chutney’ in a grinder or small blender. Add very little water. The chutney has to be of thick or slightly thick consistency.
- Keep the chutney aside.
Preparing potato masala stuffing
- Rinse 3 to 4 medium potatoes very well in water and then steam or cook them in a pressure cooker or steamer. The potatoes should be cooked very well.
- When the potatoes are warm, peel and mash them with a vegetable masher.
- Heat oil in a shallow pan and add mustard seeds.
- When the mustard seeds crackle, add cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida (hing). Saute till the cumin seeds splutter and change color. Keep the heat on low so that the spices do not get burnt.
- Add finely chopped green chilies, turmeric powder and curry leaves (kept whole or chopped). Stir well.
- Add the mashed potatoes. Season with salt as per taste.
- Stir and mix the potatoes with the rest of the spices. Saute on a low heat for 2 minutes.
- Then add chopped coriander leaves. You can add ¼ cup too. I prefer to add more.
- Mix and saute for a minute. Keep this potato masala filling aside. Let it become warm or cool down at room temperature.
Assembling Masala Toast Sandwich
- Slice 1 medium onion and 1 medium tomato, thinly. Keep aside.
- Spread butter evenly on the bread slices. A generous coating of butter does not allow the bread to become soggy, when you apply the chutney.
- Now spread the coriander chutney.
- Spread the potato masala filling on the bread slices.
- Place the 1 or 2 tomato slices and onion slices. If you like, then you can also add slices of cucumber and capsicum at this step.
- Sprinkle a pinch or two of chaat masala powder, black salt (can use rock salt or regular salt too) and roasted cumin powder.
- Cover with the slices on which we have spread the butter and chutney.
Making Masala Sandwich
- Place in a preheated toaster or grill. You can also toast these sandwiches in a hand held stove top toaster. Preheat the toaster or grill, as per the manufacturer’s instructions and then place the sandwiches
- Toast the sandwiches till crisp and golden. Remove in a plate and spread some butter on top of the sandwiches.
- Serve Mumbai Masala Sandwiches hot with tomato ketchup and the remainder coriander chutney. You can also sprinkle some fine sev on the sandwiches while serving.
- For best taste and texture have them hot or warm.
Nutrition
This Masala Sandwich post is from the archives (April 2010) and has been republished and updated on 11 September 2021.
Liked the taste but I added 1 whole small size garlic to enhance taste more.. And it turned amazing ✔️?
Please ? also add other recipies of Chinese manchurian gravy and also schezwan chutney.
I always mess up to make schezwan chutney and gravy of manchurian due to lack of proper knowledge of how much quantity of sauces like soya, chilli, vinegar to add and maybe due to tsp or tbsp difference as it creates a much high difference in taste in Chinese recipes!! In comparison.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad to know you liked the sandwich.
I already have the recipes for Chinese Manchurian Gravy and Schezwan Chutney on the website.
Whenever you have time, just use the search icon there, or simply search on Google by typing the recipe name with “Dassana” – you’ll find them easily.
Hope they turn out perfect for you. Happy cooking!
This recipe of Mumbai masala sandwich is one of my most favourite ones here. Really love this recipe.
Glad to know you like the recipe. Thanks for this lovely feedback.
Tried this recipe twice and it came out very well. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe.
Loved this! Have made it many times. Love your blog!! Always refer to it for a lot of other recipes as well. How do you cut the coriander leaves so finely? Do you have a special tool?
Thanks a lot Shruti for the feedback and the rating. For chopping coriander, I use the regular knife (the smaller ones) which are generally used in Indian kitchens.
Hi…. Have tried many of ur recipes… All of turned really well… This recipe looks great… Going to try it for todays evening snack… I hope my family would like it
thanks a lot pooja. i hope your family likes these masala toast sandwiches.
Hey,
Tried the recipe today and it turned out suuppeerr tasty
thanks pranjal for sharing positive feedback.
Vry tasty i like it
thanks smita
Supeeeeeeer
I love all ur Recipes, & it was Awesome, keep Sharing with Us
Thanks zeenali.
awwwsmm…I am surely going to try this tomorrow. ..this is exactly what I was looking for. .
and do you have any idea about the red chutney they make…if you know. .please do share…I love that red chutney alotttt…thanku…
thanks sana. i hope you tried the bombay sandwiches. as far as i know they only add green chutney to the sandwiches. which red chutney you are asking for.
Thank u 4 sharing lovely receipe I tried n it was awesome. .
welcome soni
bombay veg toast sandwich is the best recipe for making sandwich. my kids love those sandwiches. thanks for posting
welcome kamal
Hi!
I love your recipes and presentation style, so asking you though there are another websites.
As you have mentioned that you have lived in mumbai, they make a very spicy item called ‘mirchi ka thesa’…I have tested it in Gujrat from 2-3 maharashtrian friends..I just love it..Can you please post the recipie for it? I know there are many variations of it, e.g. with ground nuts, coco nut, cilantro,… but I love it with tomato added into it..as I have tested it..Please please share its recipe and if you have already posted, share a link. Thanks!
i know about mirchi thecha. my mom would make it often. i just two versions – with peanuts and the other one with garlic. i have never had or seen the tomato version. will be posting the peanuts thecha soon
Made them… Came out lovely!!!
A big thank you from us…!!!
🙂
welcoem aishwarya
this is delicious receipe !!! thanks Dassana….
welcome san leonardo
This is a great recipe. I’m really happy with how it turned out. It tastes like real street food! 5/5.
Only thing I did differently was add some mango chutney in my sandwiches.
thanks Mel for sharing your variation.
very nice and easy – great veg stuff we look forward to more such amazing delctables
thanks neera
hi, Dassana! Thanks a lot for this awesome recipe! I made it, it turned out great! My husband just loved it! You have given very nice detailed explanation with good pictures! Very well done! Can I use garlic in cilantro chutney and can I skip mint? I tried it, it was also nice.
thanks niki. yes you can use garlic in the cilantro chutney. even i add garlic sometimes to the chutney.
Plz gimme receipe of masala dosa ….. I liked Ur earlier recipe
the recipe of masala dosa – https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/masala-dosa-recipe-how-to-make-masala-dosa-recipe/
mysore masala dosa – https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/mysore-masala-dosa/
Hi Dassana,
oa
your recipes are too good…specially modak one..I loved it.
thanks gayatri. glad you liked the recipes.
i really loved the recipe and i would ask 4 some more
thanks neha….
Dats true Mumbai is full of lovely snacks n Sandwich being one of them… I tried to add different flavours to it..
jus chck it out- Foodies Fun
thanx for the recipe…I am from Bombay living in USA ….
I have missed the sandwiches from Bombay …..
i made this sanwich today and it came out yummy..:)
thanks deepali. good to know this.
Superbbbbbbbb…………. I am loveng it
Could you tell me that kind of sandwich maker/ toaster u use?
i have a non stick hand sandwich toaster which is used on fire. its not an electrical one.
yummy…..
Hi
Very nice recipe , I am from Mumbai Living in USA , now very happy 🙂 to see this recipe 😀
Thank you 🙂
Love this one…will make them this saturday…
sure apurva
Thanks to Veg recipes of India, it is fantastic, I have missed my Toast sandwiches from Bombay (Kemp’s Corner) but not now cause I can make it by my own and enjoy whenever I wanted.
i am sure you won’t miss eating bombay toast sandwiches wherever you are…..
i loved it
thnx 😀
thanks kathreen
gr8..YUM….thanx a lot sharing pal…sum more pls…
Fantastic taste…..thanks for this recipe………………
Yummy Dassana I had my dinner yet I am drooling over your pics… I am surely gonna make thsi Mumbai Toast..Thanks for posting this recipe
thanks maria….. do try and let me know….
fast ,easy and mouth watering recipe. You can also add little cheese to the mixture. Any kind of cheese mozzarella or simple cottage cheese(paneer). This recipe is really good. Thanks for such easy to make snacks.
yes one can add cheese or grated paneer…. thank ram…..
Thanks to this recipe i am finally gonna fulfill my hubby’s desire to hv the famous mumbai sandwich .Gr8 job Dassana .NewZealand mey bhi hum ab yeh mazeydar sandwich kha payengey thnx to you and yr wonderful recipe.
good to know that kavitha…. do try and have fun….
hi i lived near mumbai (dombivli) for some time. there they used to sell one kind of pav, the pav bread with some roasted ground nuts + mashed potato masala stuff.. have u heard or tasted it… would u please know what it is called? it sells for 5 rs a pc.. plsssssssssss do email it or something
and do post more mumbai chaat recipes… mouth watering the pics especially 🙂
i have tasted this pav stuffed with ground nuts, pomegranate seeds, onions and potato mixture and its known as dabeli roti or dabeli pav. i know the recipe for this one. may be i make and post it.
sure… i have a few chaat and dosa recipes that needs posting. will post soon.
hi i guess ur talking about daabeli 🙂
this recipe is for the bombay toast sandwich and not dabeli…..
I just want the recipe of Swastik Sandwich Masala…I am almost done wth the jar and there is no signs of me going to India anytym soon…:(
LOVE that santacruz ka sandwich…Dieting gayi tel lene…lol!
Ah..this recipe is awesome..it makes us feel dat v are in a bombay chat place….
this site and recipes are just beyond imagination
its mouth watering
this is awesome receipe !!!
even i m too from mumbai……..and now trying all mumbai roadside dishes at home in delhi.
Superb Thanks fr this awesome receipe.