Mumbai Rains: Monsoon in Mumbai usually brings cravings for steaming hot vada pavs, onion bhajiyas and cups of cutting chai. But this rainy season, another milk-based delicacy is finding fans online: fried
milk, a crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside dessert that’s becoming a popular homemade treat alongside the city’s timeless love for hot, spiced milk.
Across the city, traditional dairies and milk centres continue to serve comforting beverages such as Kesar Masala Milk, Haldi Doodh (Golden Milk) and Ginger-Cardamom Milk, which remain popular during the rainy season for their rich flavour and warming qualities. While many people also associate these drinks with immunity-boosting ingredients, they are equally cherished as comforting monsoon staples.
The Classic Monsoon Milk Drinks
Kesar Masala Milk combines full-fat milk with saffron, cardamom and crushed almonds or pistachios, creating a fragrant drink that’s both rich and indulgent.
Haldi Doodh, better known as Golden Milk, blends turmeric with warm milk and is often flavoured with black pepper, cinnamon or a touch of honey. It has long been a household favourite during the monsoon.
For those seeking something lighter yet equally comforting, Ginger-Cardamom Milk offers a soothing combination of fresh ginger and aromatic cardamom, making it a popular evening drink during wet weather.
Fried Milk: The Viral Monsoon Treat
While hot milk continues to evoke nostalgia, social media has introduced many food lovers to fried milk, a dessert that’s crisp on the outside and silky smooth at its centre. Popular in parts of Europe and Asia, the dish begins with a thick milk custard that’s chilled until firm before being cut into pieces, coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs (or cornflour), and deep-fried until golden brown.
It is typically dusted with icing sugar or cinnamon sugar and can be served with honey, chocolate sauce or fresh fruit. The contrast between the crunchy coating and the creamy filling has made it a favourite rainy-day indulgence for home cooks experimenting with comfort food.
How To Make Fried Milk At Home
To prepare fried milk, gently heat full-fat milk with sugar and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix cornflour with a little cold milk to form a smooth slurry, then stir it into the hot milk while cooking until the mixture thickens into a custard-like consistency. Pour it into a greased tray and refrigerate for at least three to four hours, or until completely set.
Once firm, cut the milk mixture into squares or rectangles. Coat each piece in flour, dip it into beaten egg (or a cornflour batter for an eggless version), cover with breadcrumbs or panko, and deep-fry until crisp and golden. Serve warm with a dusting of icing sugar, cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of honey for the perfect monsoon dessert.
Where To Sip Hot Milk In Mumbai
Among the city’s best-known destinations for traditional milk beverages is Parsi Dairy Farm in Marine Lines, where rich dairy products and classic milk-based desserts have been served for generations.
Another favourite is Noorani Milk Centre in Bhendi Bazar, renowned for its flavoured milk preparations and traditional recipes that continue to attract loyal patrons.
Those looking for a South Indian-inspired take can also visit Govinda’s Taste of South at Chowpatty, where comforting milk beverages complement the restaurant’s vegetarian offerings.
More Than Just A Drink
Mumbai’s dairy culture extends well beyond a glass of hot milk. The city is famous for Kharvas, a delicate steamed pudding made from colostrum milk and flavoured with saffron and cardamom; Basundi, a slow-reduced sweetened milk topped with nuts; and the iconic Falooda, layered with rose syrup, vermicelli, basil seeds and kulfi.
During festive seasons and around Mohammad Ali Road, food lovers also seek out Aflatoon, a rich confection prepared from mawa, eggs, ghee and semolina, while traditional sweet shops continue serving Basundi and Shrikhand alongside fresh milk preparations.
Whether it’s a steaming glass of saffron-infused milk from one of Mumbai’s iconic dairies or a plate of freshly made fried milk straight from the kitchen, milk-based comforts continue to offer a delicious way to embrace the city’s rainy season.
