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Journalism of Courage
Written by Ruta Patil
In Pune, mornings often begin with the familiar aroma of kande pohe wafting from small eateries and handcarts tucked into street corners. For generations, this humble dish of flattened rice tempered with onions, green chillies, and curry leaves has been more than just breakfast—it’s comfort food, a reminder of home, and an integral part of Pune’s food culture. From roadside stalls to late-night haunts, Punekars’ love for pohe has made some eateries legendary.
Sushil Pohe, Navi Peth
In 2007, Sushil Jadhav began a small venture where he sold pohe along with sheera, upma, and sabudana khichdi on the street. Over the years, this modest stall in Navi Peth has become a morning ritual for countless Punekars, with steaming hot kande pohe the star attraction. The charm lies in the simplicity: a humble plate of pohe, light yet filling, garnished just right, carrying the unmistakable flavour of home.
Regulars swear by its taste and consistency. “I love the taste; I have been coming here for the past eight years,” shares Nitin Sharma, assistant professor at MIT. “The taste reminds me of home, it’s my go-to breakfast place,” says Shruti Digankar, a student at Wadia College.
Amruteshwar Bhuwan, Nal Stop
For the past 50 years, this legendary pohe joint in Nal Stop has been drawing crowds at unusual hours. From 11 pm to 4 am, the place buzzes with customers who travel not just from Pune but from Mumbai, Delhi, and even Punjab to savour its famous pohe.
The magic lies in the variety—fluffy pohe served with toppings like tangy chutney, piping hot sambar, crunchy shev, or roasted peanuts. “We only close our shop for two hours a day. Otherwise, people are here all the time,” says Sunilbhau Dige, the founder. Over the years, loyal customers have returned faithfully for decades. “Whenever I visit Pune, I make it a point to go to this spot for pohe. I love the taste,” says Rahul Chadda, a businessman from Punjab.
Mauli Snacks Centre, Tilak Road
Famous for its vada-pohe combo, this humble cart opposite the Bank of Maharashtra’s Tilak Road branch is a morning landmark. Blink and you might miss it—the pohe vanish almost as quickly as they are served. By 10 am, the familiar cry of “pohe sampale (pohe over)” rings out.
Started nearly 40 years ago, this tradition of pairing steaming hot pohe with a freshly fried wada has won the hearts of many. “I have been coming here for the past 15 years. The taste feels like home, and the hot poha with the freshly fried wada is a true delicacy,” says Rajendra Chitnis, a lawyer and loyal customer.
Sudamache Pohe
Be it the comfort of kande pohe or the mouthwatering flavour of tarri pohe, this outlet has mastered nine varieties. From Konkani, dahi, and kurkure pohe to sambar, dadpe, matki pohe and the ever-popular Indori pohe, there is something for every palate.
“What began as a single outlet near Shaniwarwada in 2019 has gained popularity and now grown into a franchise of 48 stores. People all over Maharashtra love our pohe,” says owner Sandesh Bhosale.
Vijay Ballal, a businessman, adds, “I have been visiting the Shaniwarwada branch frequently for the past 2–3 years. I love the variety of pohe I get there.”
Pune’s love for pohe is as diverse as the city itself. Each plate tells a story—of tradition, innovation, and memories shared over steaming servings. Whether it is the simple comfort of kande pohe, the indulgence of a vada-pohe combo, or the adventurous flavours of tarri and Indori pohe, one thing is for sure that happiness really does come in a humble, perfectly cooked plate of flattened rice.
(Ruta Patil is an intern with The Indian Express)
