In this week’s episode of Cheap Eats on Dubai 92, Frying Pan co-founder Arva takes us to Vasai Local, an unassuming Indian restaurant nestled in Karama. Specializing in the authentic flavors of Mumbai’s indigenous fishermen community, Vasai Local offers a taste of ‘Koli’ cuisine.
What’s This Week’s Cheap Eat?
Vasai Local has an extensive menu featuring all the mainstream Indian dishes, but you’re better off going with the unique seafood dishes of the Koli community. The star of the menu is the Bombay duck, featuring semolina-coated fillets fried to a perfect crisp with creamy insides. Three Bombay duck fillets can be savored for just 26 dirhams. Beyond the famed Bombay duck, Vasai Local serves up classic dishes like suki dal, stuffed pomfret, masala-rubbed kingfish, and a chai that has earned Arva’s seal of approval.
Just a word of caution—nothing here is prepped in advance. Food is made to order, so be ready for a wait that’s well worth it.
You can find Vasai Local on Google Maps here.
What Their Bombay Duck Looks Like
View this post on Instagram
Tune In
Tune in to the segment using this audio recap or check out the transcript below.
Transcript
Nats:
It’s Dubai 92. You’re with Jono and Nats and our favorite thing to do every Wednesday is talk to the Frying Pan Adventure sisters to find out what we should be stuffing our faces with.
Jono:
Arva, It’s great to have you on the line. How are you?
Arva:
Great! How are you guys?
Jono:
So good. You’re off to tantalize our taste buds and taking us to the recesses of Karama once again this week. I like it when you do old Dubai and you don’t get too modern and come off to this side of the bridge.
Nats:
Yeah, that’s my favorite! My favorite is old Dubai.
Arva:
Yeah! That’s because I get lost in your Dubai.
Jono:
Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. You don’t worry about it. You just give us the tips and stuff you got down there. Where are we off to?
Arva:
Done. Today we’re going to go to a place called Vasai Local. And that is in the depths of Karama,
actually an Indian restaurant, the place that serves food of the indigenous Fishermen community of Mumbai. The name of the community is Koli and the the lady who runs it, the lady owner is actually from that community. She’s getting a lot of spices from back home. Some of the dried fish preparations are
happening or dried prawn preparations are happening by her aunties I think back home. So this place is legit, is what I’m telling you.
Nats:
Arva, I have two questions. One: Do they have Bombay duck?
Arva:
Yeah! So, we’re on the same page. That is exactly the dish I was going to tell you about.
Nats:
And second; is it spicy?
Arva:
Yes and no. So, they have Bombay duck, which is basically Bombil fried or Rawa fried. It’s coated with semolina and sort of shallow fried until it is super crunchy. Not in the least bit greasy. Just imagine a crisp layer and creamy fish on the inside. It just melts, it dissipates on your tongue, it is gorgeous. And that is I think you get three gorgeous fillets for about 26 dirhams.
Jono:
I’m sorry, three? Three Bombay duck for 26. Are you serious?
Arva:
Three fillets.
Jono:
However, though, to get a portion of Bombay duck normally, it’s not going to be that cheap. You’re gonna be paying a little bit more if you’re getting Bombay duck anywhere else.
Arva:
Yes, it is so fresh and so… I mean perfectly seasoned, super crisp. This is exactly how every Bombay duck would have wanted to be if they were on your plate. So, that is just hands down fantastic! And the best part is the food across the board. Whatever we ordered, we ordered quite a bit. Nothing was really mind-blowingly spicy. It was just so flavorful, which I love. Like all of the spices just used in the right balance.
Arva:
One other dish which is, I think, quite cheap, maybe it’s only 15 dirhams, is their Sukhi Dal which is dried lentils. And that is something that I believe the fishermen make when they’re out on, like these deep-sea fishing expeditions. So, that’s a pretty traditional dish and that was phenomenal as well. And their chai is now, it has become my favorite chai in the city, which is saying a lot!
Nats:
Oh my goodness, that is a tall order. You have grown up here, you have taken many people to many a chai place, and for you to say it’s the best in the city.
Arva:
I know, I know, I know…
Nats:
When are you taking us? That’s what I need to ask you next. Because I always had friends…
Arva:
Let’s go now, now!
Nats:
I’ll come now. No worries. Just let Jono finish the show and I’ll head there for some Bombay duck.
Arva:
Amazing, I’ll meet you there right after the show.
Jono:
Arva, thank you so much as always. Check them out: Frying Pan Adventures on Instagram Food Tour season is back in swing once again. You can get to go and check out some of the best places Dubai has on offer, which are well worth doing. Arva, will chat to you next week.
Arva:
Have a scrumptious week ahead guys.
Find out where to find Juicy Chapli Kababs in Dubai here.
Arva Ahmed is the co-founder of Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s first food tour company, and a celebrated food explorer known for uncovering Dubai’s hidden culinary gems. Her expertise in the city’s diverse food scene has been featured in prominent publications such as CNN, Khaleej Times, BBC Travel, The Sun, The Independent and countless more. She also hosts Ditch the Silver on YouTube. Through her immersive tours and storytelling, Arva brings Dubai’s rich flavors and vibrant cultures to life.
