Around Town | Ganesh Chaturthi special: 6 places to get authentic homemade ‘ukadiche modaks’ in Mumbai

1. Roti Mania

It was the Covid pandemic that saw Darshana Ved opening her kitchen for those struggling to make rotis in the absence of their domestic help. Soon, it expanded to paranthe, theple and other food items. The Ganesh Chaturthi saw a new demand. “There are many Maharashtrians who would say they prefer ukadiche modak over other modaks available in the market,” says Ved, 56.

In her bid to keep her offerings healthier, she uses very little jaggery powder. “These modaks being steamed are very healthy. In my saran, I also add a little kesar,” she says, adding that it is important to get the right pleating and she prefers to do it with her hands, instead of using a mould. But why do ukadiche modaks get preference over others? “From what I have read, they are very dear to Ganpati and it is a gesture of love and respect towards Bappa.” These modaks are available throughout the year on orders made at least a few days in advance.

Delivery pan-India. Orders should be made a week in advance during Ganpati
Price: Rs 350 for a box of six pieces
Call: 7977921174

Home chef Darshana Ved of Roti Mania. (Special arrangement)

2. Dalvi Catering

Anagha Dalvi, now 50 years old, was a young girl when she learnt how to make ukadiche modaks. “At my mother’s home in Asangaon, all women and young girls would make them every year during Ganesh Chaturthi,” she tells us.

The modaks were meant for their consumption but when relatives and neighbours started asking for them, they started preparing an extra batch. Years later when Dalvi got married and moved to Mulund, she decided to turn it into a full-fledged business during Ganesh Chaturthi.

“It also emerged from the demand we saw. I would give modaks to my children in school and soon there would be orders coming in from their school teachers and their friends’ mothers. People in our building would ask for them. Slowly the word spread around, and last year we made about 25,000 modaks,” says Dalvi, who has been making modaks for three decades. Catering to the growing demand, she has now put together a team, which works dedicatedly for about a fortnight every year. While she makes all the saran herself, her team helps with preparation, dough and making modaks.

Delivery across Mumbai, minimum order 50 pieces
Price: Rs 22 per piece for smaller modaks and Rs 30 for large ones
Call: 9930052537

3. Swad Maharashtra

An animator who was very passionate about food, Sheetal Suhas Zambre took the plunge in 2018 when she took a loan of about Rs 2,00,000, followed by another (of Rs 6,00,000 under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana) and decided to set up her business. Called Swad Maharashtra, her food outlet in Lokhandwala would offer Maharashtrian specialities, among which ukadiche modaks sold the most.

Such was the demand that she soon found a clientele in celebrities such as actors Govinda and Nana Patekar, and bhajan singers Anup Jalota and Anuradha Padwal. The pandemic, says the founder, saw a huge spike in the business.

“During Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, we sell up to 5,000 ukadiche modaks,” says Zambre, 40, who now has a team of about eight people, helping her with preparation, steaming, and packing. “While we prefer orders in advance, we do make extra for last-minute orders through our delivery partners,” she says, adding that they also make modaks round the year to keep up with the demand during Sankashti Chaturthi and Tuesday, the days dedicated to Bappa. Coming up next is another physical outlet in Vile Parle.

Delivery in Bandra to Goregaon via Zomato and Swiggy, across Mumbai via Dunzo
Price: Rs 40 per piece
Call: 8433759031

4. Aai Ekvira Caterers

A job loss led to Charudutt Keny starting Aai Ekvira Caterers in Borivali West with a stall at Vazira Naka. While he handles the business, running the kitchen efficiently is his wife Pratibha, 42. “For five days, our focus is largely on ukadiche modaks. We make about a thousand modaks every day,” says Keny, 51, whose house starts bustling with relatives during the festival to cater to this demand. “My wife is joined by my sister, my bua (father’s sister) and other women from our family,” he says.

Delivery in Borivali, order should be made 24 hours in advance
Price: Rs 30 per piece, Rs 25 if ordering 25 or more pieces
Call: 8879393829

5. Hema Nakwe

The Covid pandemic rendered Hema Nakwe’s husband jobless. To support the family, Nakwe, who was always keen on cooking, started a delivery kitchen. Three years later, Matunga-based Nakwe has a steady clientele. Ganesh Chaturthi sees Nakwe preparing ukadiche modaks but ensuring that the quality remains in control, she prepares only a small batch of around 150 modaks. “I take limited orders,” Nakwe says, adding that she would be taking the last order for the festival on Sunday.

Delivery from Churchgate to Andheri and Ghatkopar
Price: Rs 40 per piece
Call: 8976764660

6. Every Aroma

Like most other people, Reshma Mane opened her kitchen to the public during the pandemic. During Ganesh Chaturthi, she prepares a traditional meal comprising bharela vanga, amti, papad, usal and other delicacies alongside ukadiche modaks. “Last year we sold 20 boxes containing six modaks each. This year, we have already received bulk orders from corporates who want to gift them to their employees as well as individuals bringing Bappa home,” says the home chef.

Delivery across Mumbai
Price: Box of six is priced at Rs 400
Call: 9819875010

Home chef Reshma Mane. (Special arrangement)