Being a Malayalee, one thing that I look forward to every year is undoubtedly ‘Onasadya’ (Onam meal). No matter if you’re a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, this meal that consists of 25-30 vegetarian dishes will surely give you a foodgasm. Mallu promise 😉

Onam, a 10-day long harvest festival of Kerala celebrates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees consider as their King. These power-packed ten days of feasting are followed by traditional boat races, dancing and singing. The rich culture of Kerala can be understood in the best form during these 10 days of celebration. Coming back to Mumbai, while there are many groups showcasing the rich culture in India, all that is easy to experience is the food – Onasadhya.

Sadya literally means a banquet in Malayalam and staying true to the literal meaning, the feast does offer a whole lot of 25 dishes (or more) for the foodies. A spread laid out in a specific manner (small portions of each dish) and eaten in a specific order, is truly what Kerala cuisine is all about!

My Ammuma (Grandmother) was one of my very first close friend. I often argued with her over different things. I remember her saying (when I tried debating on something), “Mone (Son), I have eaten a lot more Onasadhya than you, so stop arguing with me”. Depending on the number of Onasadya’s you’ve indulged in, your age and wisdom is determined. Yes, Onasadhya is that important to a Malayalee.

Talking about the importance that a humble Onasadhya enjoys in a Malayalee’s life, I recently came across this famous Malayalam proverb ‘Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam’ which literally means that one must have the Onasadhya even if he is forced to sell his property. I understand that being a food blogger, who also happens to be a proud Mallu, brings in a lot of responsibilities. All that a foodie is doing a day before Onam is searching for places that’ll serve Onasadhya. But neither do you have to search further for restaurants serving Onasadhya nor sell your property to get your Onasadhya fix tomorrow:

1. Benzy’s Restaurant

No. of dishes: 25

Timing: 12.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Cost: 470 per person

Address: Hotel Benzy’s Palace, Vijay Nagar, Marol Maroshi Road, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai

Phone: 09322679465

 

2. Just Kerala

No. of dishes: 25

Timing: Lunch – 12.00 pm – 1 pm, 1.15 pm – 2.15 pm, 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Cost: 800 per person

Address: Hotel Samraj, Chakala Road, Andheri East, Mumbai

Phone: 022 28363919

 

3. Sneha Restaurant

No. of dishes: 25

Timing: 12.00 pm till the food lasts 🙂

Cost: to be decided. Cost varies for dining-in and take away (I highly recommend that you’ll dine-in. It’s a different experience to eat on a banana leaf)

Address: Opposite Paradise Cinema, 53, LJ Road, Mahim, Mumbai

Phone: 022 24456330

 

4. Hotel Deluxe

No. of dishes: 30

Timing: 11.30 am – 3.30 pm

Cost: Dine-in – 400 per person; Take away – 450 per person

Address: 28, SBS Road, Pitha Street, Near Hitkari House, Fort, Mumbai

Phone: 022 22042351; 022 66559914

 

5. Dakshin Coastal – ITC Maratha

No. of dishes: 12

Timing: 12.00 pm – 2.45 pm, 7.00 pm – 12.45 pm

Cost: 3450 + taxes

Address: ITC Maratha, Sahar Road, Andheri East, Chakala, Mumbai

Phone: 022 28303030

 

Many other restaurants across Mumbai are doing Onasadhya. So depending on your location you could call, check and make a reservation:

• South High Restaurant & Bar (Lower Parel)
• Nambiar’s Kerala Kitchen (Juhu)
• Kerala House (Vashi)
• Authentic Kerala – Taste Of Malabar (Powai)
• Mani’s Lunch Home (Sion)
• Adipoli (Kalyan)
• Kerala Lunch Home (Goregaon West)

Want something different? Thangabali’s Bandra outlet is hosting a unique Onasadhya tomorrow. Not just the unlimited veg fare, but there is a special Chicken & Seafood Onasadhya. Unlimited. Isn’t this just so cool?

Thangabali

Timing: 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Cost: Veg – 950, Chicken – 1250, Seafood – 1450

Address: Level One, 12 Union Park, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai

Phone: 08928021253

Many homechefs across Mumbai and beyond, in association with Authenticook are hosting Onasadhya. Please do visit http://www.authenticook.com for details on experiences.

Onasadya is usually a rage among foodies, like you and me. I reached out to some of my foodie friends, to check on what they’re doing tomorrow to celebrate Onam. Here’s some inspiration –

Founder, The Food Bloggers Association of India (The fbai), Sameer Malkani, who would be going to Curry Tales for their Onasadhya tomorrow, says “Every Onam, we look forward to feast at either a friend’s place or a restaurant serving Onasadhya – it’s a tradition that we have adopted in the family and love every bit of it. Since it’s not a regular feature at home, I absolutely love eating on a banana leaf, with my hands and along with the delicious food that we feast every year – that’s the uniqueness I personally love about Onasadhya.”

Another blogger friend Zenia Irani from BrandedBawi.com, who recently migrated to Canada for good, says “Being away from home during any festival is tough, especially during Onam. What I shall miss the most is the Sadhya. My husband and I would trek down to our favorite Kerala restaurant in South Mumbai for a taste of a traditional celebratory meal every year. Alas, being away from home means we may have to miss that tradition this year. I think I’ll whip up a quick Payasam at home to celebrate instead!”

 

Archaeologist, Historian, Food Anthropologist and Raconteur, Dr Kurush Dalal will be missing the Onasadhya too, due to some prior commitments. He says, “Sadhya for me used to be the lovely Keralite restaurants in the Fort area. Bombay, Deluxe were my favorites. After moving to Navi Mumbai the only option I thought was Kerala House in Vashi which is really good, till we discovered Grace in Nerul which is superb.”

Tomorrow being a working day, with most of the office goers hunting for an Onam feast, it is highly recommended that you either go a little early or a little after lunch time. This meal has to be enjoyed in peace to attain the foodgasm we’re talking about. Wokay Wokay aajaayyye!