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Host: Mahrukh

Mumbai (Bombay), India

USD
$30-$78 per person

Market Tour & Parsi Home Cooking Class in Mumbai

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Mahrukh

Mahrukh lives with her husband, son and daughter in their ancestral home in the old-world Ness Baugh, situated in South Mumbai. By day Mahrukh runs a beauty parlor, but cooking and feeding her friends and family has always been her passion and she jumps at the chance to serve authentic Parsi food to travelers from around the world!

Mahrukh first started cooking at the age of 7, when was so tiny that she needed a step stool to reach the gas burner. Her biggest fan has always been her father, who was always delighted to eat whatever his little daughter cooked with happiness and pride. She learned all of her cooking techniques from her mother and grandmother and delights in keeping old family recipes alive.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-8 guests) Mahrukh lives in an old Parsi colony giving you a feel of the community's unity and strong bonds. Before you enter the house you will notice that the doorstep is decorated with beautiful rangoli designs. Rangoli is an art form in which decorative patterns are created on the floor in living rooms or courtyards using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals. Mahrukh will welcome you with a warm smile into her apartment that has been decorated with her daughter’s beautiful sketches and other artwork that reflects the creativity and artistic nature of the people who live in this home.

Later, join Mahrukh and her family for an authentic Parsi, meat-centric meal. Your meal might include dishes like saria and lagan nu achaar (rice crisps served with homemade date pickle), tam tamata prawns (prawns in a spicy, tangy sauce), jardalu na gosht (tender lamb, slow-cooked in an intense apricot gravy topped with crisp salli), roast chicken, and finally lagan nu custard (a dense, luscious baked caramel custard topped with nuts and served with vermicelli and sweet yogurt).

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) Join Mahrukh in her home kitchen for your Mumbai cooking class and learn how to prepare 2 traditional Parsi dishes. You might learn to make some of Mahrukh's signature dishes like akuri (Indian scrambled eggs), patra ni macchi (steamed fish topped with chutney and wrapped in a banana leaf) or chicken pulao and daal (chicken with basmati rice topped with browned onions and lentils). After you've finished cooking sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-8 guests) You will be greeted at Mahrukh's home with raspberry soda, which is an integral part of every Parsi meal. As the saying goes “Parsi is raspberry, and raspberry is Parsi.” You’ll then be taken to the Grand Road Market for a guided tour, where Mahrukh will show you how she buys all her fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. After shopping at the market, walk back to Mahrukh's home for your cooking class.

Notes:
1. The apartment is on the 6th floor; the elevator only operates to the 5th floor, so you'll need to walk up one flight of stairs to the apartment

Languages spoken: English, Hindi

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Saria and lagan nu achaar (rice crisps served with homemade date pickle)
  • Tam tamata prawns (prawns in a spicy, tangy sauce) or Jardalu na gosht (tender lamb, slow-cooked in an intense apricot gravy topped with crisp salli)
  • Roast chicken
  • Lagan nu custard (a dense, luscious baked caramel custard topped with nuts and served with vermicelli and sweet yogurt)

Traveler reviews

4.91 (11)
Mahrukh welcomed me into her home and taught me about a variety of Parsi dishes. She was a very gracious host, and always made sure I was enjoying myself. First we went to the local market, to see where Mahrukh buys her meat, fish and vegetables. Then we returned and made 3+ Parsi dishes. I even had a go at making a very wonky chapati! Mahrukh and her family were very attentive and it was very interesting to hear about their background and life in Mumbai. Would absolutely recommend!
- Stephanie March 19, 2023
What can I say? The cooking lesson (and market tour) that Mahrukh provided was an amazing cultural learning experience! Mahrukh was very warm and friendly and made us feel welcome in her home. We started out with a simple demo on how to make malasa tea as Mahrukh described the courses we would be making. She provided us with print outs of all the recipes and gave us pens so we could make notes on the few bonus dishes she added. In the end, we made 7 courses of amazing Parsi Indian cuisine (all of which Im excited to make back home with the spices purchased from the market visit)! If you're looking for a unique cooking class that offers an experience unlike the others then I highly recommend contacting Mahrukh!
- brogstad December 15, 2019
This is the first time ever I take a formal cooking class and the whole experience was absolutely fantastic, thanks to this gorgeous lady "Mahrukh Mogrelia" who shared with me her secrets of the Parsi cuisine (a variety of India cousine) highly recommended if you enjoy cooking, if you choose her as a teacher she will take you through the whole experience by the hand sharing all her secrets from how to choose the ingredients till the cooking and how to present the meal.Thanks Mahrukh for your patience and kindness,I am looking forward for a second class for sure.
- Destination149812 April 18, 2019
We have spent a very good and tasty moment. Reshma is very nice and she explains all in details letting also the possibility to adapt the recipe according to your own tastes.We had a lunch all together and Reshma have added some other recipes from her secret who has complet so well those we have cooked with her.A good address to learn and eat !!!Gina and Benjamin
- ginabenjamin January 01, 2019
What a great experience we had the day after Christmas in Mumbaï to be warmly welcomed at Mahrukh's to learn Indian cooking and having lunch all together. First, we had a delicious masala tea made with milk, tea, mint and lemon grass. We have started to prepare some marinade recipes. Then, she took us by cab to a colored big outside market, Grand Road Market, full of vegetables, fruits, fishes, flowers, ....it was very interesting and very nice at the same time! At our come back to her apartement, we really have started our cooking class: learning how to make ginger-garlic paste, green chili-garlic-fresh coriander paste; Sambhar powder; Akoori (delicious scramble eggs);Jardaloo Ma Gosth (spicy meat in apricot sauce); Paulo Masala (chicken with yogurt and so many things); and for dessert: carrot cake and caramel cream. All was delicious, we have enjoyed so much this cooking class,specially our meeting with Mahrukh and her daughter and son and her great hospitality. A big thanks to her and to Traveling Spoon to have given us this wonderful opportunity to take this cooking class in Mumbaï !
- Françoise B December 26, 2018
The experience with Mahrukh was wonderful. Wouldn't change a thing. It was 100% what we were looking for, to connect with the locals through food. Mahrukh and her family were very sweet and welcoming. We had great fun sharing stories and learning at the same time. Only wish we could eat more but we were so full from her delicious meal.
- The Dos Santos July 08, 2018
Mahrukh’s Parsi cooking class was fantastic! She is very professional and a warm hostess as well! Her house is very artfully decorated and everything has a story about it that from ancestral Parsi culture to Mahrukh’s last vacation souvenirs.Even though we went in the monsoon season, she was able to source and fry up delicious Pomfret and prawns (accompanied by icy cold pints of beer) We also learnt the ancient recipe for Akuri (Parsi style scrambled eggs) Mahrukh had printed recipes and gave notes along the way as well. We had fun cooking, she has a deft hand and moves around her kitchen with lightning fast speed. My wife and I being professional chefs we really enjoyed and appreciated her teaching, sidenotes and witty jokes.We rounded off the meal with chicken Pulao and stewed mutton in apricots and finished with a delectable baked custard!The vibes were really homey and reminiscent of “Dinner at mom’s house” and after an evening of laughing and eating we more eating we rolled home happy campers! Would definitely come back for another class!
- sarinyasombati June 30, 2018
A most wonderful few hours in the company of Mahrukh and her son, learning how to cook Parsi cuisine and of course tasting it afterwards.We were greeted by Mahrukh in her beautiful apartment and before leaving for the local market, shared some Parsi tea.The visit to the market was excellent, it was fairly quiet so plenty of time to view the array of produce.On returning to the apartment, we were lead through how to prepare combinations of the produce we’d bought with various herbs and spices and the cooking techniques required.It was excellent being involved in the cooking but even better when being able to taste the array of Parsi dishes afterwards.We spent nearly 5 hours in Mahrukh’s company, she is a most welcoming hostess and I would thoroughly recommend this cooking experience with her.
- EtihadPete November 29, 2017
She is absolutely amazing
- February 08, 2017
From the moment we arrived Mahrukh and her family made us feel genuinely welcome and relaxed. Mahrukh outdid herself with her gracious and generous hospitality. The dishes she had selected, and the instruction she provided at the market place, and in the kitchen, gave each dish added meaning, flavor and satisfaction. Coupled with this was her patience with all our questions, adding further to the cultural element of each dish. This visit was a true privilege, and one we hope many others come to enjoy.
- Doug Fischer February 09, 2016
Read More

Mahrukh

$30-$78 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $58 $40 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $68 $52 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $78 $68 $50
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $58 $40 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $68 $52 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $78 $68 $50
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-3:00pm 7:30pm-9:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm 4:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Mahrukh

Mahrukh lives with her husband, son and daughter in their ancestral home in the old-world Ness Baugh, situated in South Mumbai. By day Mahrukh runs a beauty parlor, but cooking and feeding her friends and family has always been her passion and she jumps at the chance to serve authentic Parsi food to travelers from around the world!

Mahrukh first started cooking at the age of 7, when was so tiny that she needed a step stool to reach the gas burner. Her biggest fan has always been her father, who was always delighted to eat whatever his little daughter cooked with happiness and pride. She learned all of her cooking techniques from her mother and grandmother and delights in keeping old family recipes alive.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-8 guests) Mahrukh lives in an old Parsi colony giving you a feel of the community's unity and strong bonds. Before you enter the house you will notice that the doorstep is decorated with beautiful rangoli designs. Rangoli is an art form in which decorative patterns are created on the floor in living rooms or courtyards using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals. Mahrukh will welcome you with a warm smile into her apartment that has been decorated with her daughter’s beautiful sketches and other artwork that reflects the creativity and artistic nature of the people who live in this home.

Later, join Mahrukh and her family for an authentic Parsi, meat-centric meal. Your meal might include dishes like saria and lagan nu achaar (rice crisps served with homemade date pickle), tam tamata prawns (prawns in a spicy, tangy sauce), jardalu na gosht (tender lamb, slow-cooked in an intense apricot gravy topped with crisp salli), roast chicken, and finally lagan nu custard (a dense, luscious baked caramel custard topped with nuts and served with vermicelli and sweet yogurt).

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) Join Mahrukh in her home kitchen for your Mumbai cooking class and learn how to prepare 2 traditional Parsi dishes. You might learn to make some of Mahrukh's signature dishes like akuri (Indian scrambled eggs), patra ni macchi (steamed fish topped with chutney and wrapped in a banana leaf) or chicken pulao and daal (chicken with basmati rice topped with browned onions and lentils). After you've finished cooking sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-8 guests) You will be greeted at Mahrukh's home with raspberry soda, which is an integral part of every Parsi meal. As the saying goes “Parsi is raspberry, and raspberry is Parsi.” You’ll then be taken to the Grand Road Market for a guided tour, where Mahrukh will show you how she buys all her fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. After shopping at the market, walk back to Mahrukh's home for your cooking class.

Notes:
1. The apartment is on the 6th floor; the elevator only operates to the 5th floor, so you'll need to walk up one flight of stairs to the apartment

Languages spoken: English, Hindi

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Saria and lagan nu achaar (rice crisps served with homemade date pickle)
  • Tam tamata prawns (prawns in a spicy, tangy sauce) or Jardalu na gosht (tender lamb, slow-cooked in an intense apricot gravy topped with crisp salli)
  • Roast chicken
  • Lagan nu custard (a dense, luscious baked caramel custard topped with nuts and served with vermicelli and sweet yogurt)

Traveler reviews

4.91 (11)
Mahrukh welcomed me into her home and taught me about a variety of Parsi dishes. She was a very gracious host, and always made sure I was enjoying myself. First we went to the local market, to see where Mahrukh buys her meat, fish and vegetables. Then we returned and made 3+ Parsi dishes. I even had a go at making a very wonky chapati! Mahrukh and her family were very attentive and it was very interesting to hear about their background and life in Mumbai. Would absolutely recommend!
- Stephanie March 19, 2023
What can I say? The cooking lesson (and market tour) that Mahrukh provided was an amazing cultural learning experience! Mahrukh was very warm and friendly and made us feel welcome in her home. We started out with a simple demo on how to make malasa tea as Mahrukh described the courses we would be making. She provided us with print outs of all the recipes and gave us pens so we could make notes on the few bonus dishes she added. In the end, we made 7 courses of amazing Parsi Indian cuisine (all of which Im excited to make back home with the spices purchased from the market visit)! If you're looking for a unique cooking class that offers an experience unlike the others then I highly recommend contacting Mahrukh!
- brogstad December 15, 2019
This is the first time ever I take a formal cooking class and the whole experience was absolutely fantastic, thanks to this gorgeous lady "Mahrukh Mogrelia" who shared with me her secrets of the Parsi cuisine (a variety of India cousine) highly recommended if you enjoy cooking, if you choose her as a teacher she will take you through the whole experience by the hand sharing all her secrets from how to choose the ingredients till the cooking and how to present the meal.Thanks Mahrukh for your patience and kindness,I am looking forward for a second class for sure.
- Destination149812 April 18, 2019
We have spent a very good and tasty moment. Reshma is very nice and she explains all in details letting also the possibility to adapt the recipe according to your own tastes.We had a lunch all together and Reshma have added some other recipes from her secret who has complet so well those we have cooked with her.A good address to learn and eat !!!Gina and Benjamin
- ginabenjamin January 01, 2019
What a great experience we had the day after Christmas in Mumbaï to be warmly welcomed at Mahrukh's to learn Indian cooking and having lunch all together. First, we had a delicious masala tea made with milk, tea, mint and lemon grass. We have started to prepare some marinade recipes. Then, she took us by cab to a colored big outside market, Grand Road Market, full of vegetables, fruits, fishes, flowers, ....it was very interesting and very nice at the same time! At our come back to her apartement, we really have started our cooking class: learning how to make ginger-garlic paste, green chili-garlic-fresh coriander paste; Sambhar powder; Akoori (delicious scramble eggs);Jardaloo Ma Gosth (spicy meat in apricot sauce); Paulo Masala (chicken with yogurt and so many things); and for dessert: carrot cake and caramel cream. All was delicious, we have enjoyed so much this cooking class,specially our meeting with Mahrukh and her daughter and son and her great hospitality. A big thanks to her and to Traveling Spoon to have given us this wonderful opportunity to take this cooking class in Mumbaï !
- Françoise B December 26, 2018
The experience with Mahrukh was wonderful. Wouldn't change a thing. It was 100% what we were looking for, to connect with the locals through food. Mahrukh and her family were very sweet and welcoming. We had great fun sharing stories and learning at the same time. Only wish we could eat more but we were so full from her delicious meal.
- The Dos Santos July 08, 2018
Mahrukh’s Parsi cooking class was fantastic! She is very professional and a warm hostess as well! Her house is very artfully decorated and everything has a story about it that from ancestral Parsi culture to Mahrukh’s last vacation souvenirs.Even though we went in the monsoon season, she was able to source and fry up delicious Pomfret and prawns (accompanied by icy cold pints of beer) We also learnt the ancient recipe for Akuri (Parsi style scrambled eggs) Mahrukh had printed recipes and gave notes along the way as well. We had fun cooking, she has a deft hand and moves around her kitchen with lightning fast speed. My wife and I being professional chefs we really enjoyed and appreciated her teaching, sidenotes and witty jokes.We rounded off the meal with chicken Pulao and stewed mutton in apricots and finished with a delectable baked custard!The vibes were really homey and reminiscent of “Dinner at mom’s house” and after an evening of laughing and eating we more eating we rolled home happy campers! Would definitely come back for another class!
- sarinyasombati June 30, 2018
A most wonderful few hours in the company of Mahrukh and her son, learning how to cook Parsi cuisine and of course tasting it afterwards.We were greeted by Mahrukh in her beautiful apartment and before leaving for the local market, shared some Parsi tea.The visit to the market was excellent, it was fairly quiet so plenty of time to view the array of produce.On returning to the apartment, we were lead through how to prepare combinations of the produce we’d bought with various herbs and spices and the cooking techniques required.It was excellent being involved in the cooking but even better when being able to taste the array of Parsi dishes afterwards.We spent nearly 5 hours in Mahrukh’s company, she is a most welcoming hostess and I would thoroughly recommend this cooking experience with her.
- EtihadPete November 29, 2017
She is absolutely amazing
- February 08, 2017
From the moment we arrived Mahrukh and her family made us feel genuinely welcome and relaxed. Mahrukh outdid herself with her gracious and generous hospitality. The dishes she had selected, and the instruction she provided at the market place, and in the kitchen, gave each dish added meaning, flavor and satisfaction. Coupled with this was her patience with all our questions, adding further to the cultural element of each dish. This visit was a true privilege, and one we hope many others come to enjoy.
- Doug Fischer February 09, 2016
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $58 $40 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $68 $52 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $78 $68 $50
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $58 $40 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $68 $52 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $78 $68 $50
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-3:00pm 7:30pm-9:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

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