From a British Bar to a Vada Pav Legend: The Incredible Story of Aram Since 1939
If you step out of the Gothic grandeur of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), you are immediately hit by the roar of the city. Thousands of people are pouring out of the local train gates, taxis are honking in a frantic rhythm, and the humid air is thick with the energy of a million commuters. For many travelers, this creates a specific “problem”—a feeling of being a small, exhausted wave in a vast, uncaring ocean. You are hungry, you are tired, and you need a “solution” that is as fast as the city but as comforting as home.
WHY IS THIS FAMOUS: Aram is a pilgrimage site for foodies because it is one of the oldest and most iconic Maharashtrian snack joints in Mumbai, serving the city since 1939. While many vada pav stalls are modern kiosks, Aram carries the weight of 85 years of tradition. It is famous for its “Quintessential Mumbai” experience—where you can stand on the sidewalk, eat a piping hot vada pav, and look up at the most beautiful railway station building in the world.
HISTORY OF FOOD: The history of food at Aram is a story of evolution. When the stall first opened, it was actually called the “Aram Milk Cooperative” and focused on milk-based items like tea, basundi, and gulab jamuns. However, the batata vada soon became the star of the show. Unlike almost every other joint in the city that mixes turmeric into their potato filling, Aram is famous for its “White Vada”—leaving out the turmeric to ensure a pure, spicy potato flavor that relies on a secret blend of green chilies and ginger-garlic paste.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE TO EAT HERE: People love to eat here because Aram offers “value for money” and a sense of nostalgia that is hard to find elsewhere. Their vadas are famously larger than the average street snack, ensuring that even the hungriest traveler finds relief. The pav is specially baked to be soft enough to absorb the punch of their signature red garlic chutney and the kick of the fried green chili that comes on the side. It is a “no-nonsense” meal that has tasted exactly the same for generations.
HOW TO GO THERE
Train: Take a local train to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The stall is located right across from the station entrance, making it a 2-minute walk.
Bus: Board any bus heading towards CSMT or Fort. A transit trip from your location takes approximately 29 minutes.
Taxi/Car: A drive takes about 26 minutes via Maharshi Karve Road, depending on South Mumbai traffic.
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