Wrapped up eats from Mangalore to China

Wonderful insulators for cooking food, edible leaves have been used in dishes since ancient times. The GUIDE brings you 5 yummiest leafy eats in Mumbai

Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leafu00a0

AT VongWong

Loh Mai Kai, Hor Yip Fun and Chan Chu Kai. Those are the other names you can call this delicious main course dish by.

The lotus leaves it is cooked in gives the rice a distinct flavour. Other ingredients like mushroom, garlic, meats and seafood (in the non-veg variant), add their own aroma.

The popular dish is a must during Chinese New Year feasts, but you can order it at VongWong all year round.

For: Rs 300 vegetarian, Rs 350 non-vegetarian

At: Express Towers, first floor, entrance from Ramnath Goenka Marg, Nariman Point. Call: 22875633

Khotuu00a0

AT Cafe Mysore

This breakfast item from Mangalore is served all day long at this quaint Matunga cafu00e9. Idli batter is steamed in a triangular cup made of four equal-sized jackfruit leaves joined by sharp pins made from bamboo.

The waiter brings the idli in the steaming pocket, filling the air with aroma, before topping the Khotu with oodles of homemade butter. We recommend you eat it with Mullagamutti, coconut chutney and sambhar.

For: Rs 25

At: 11461, Durlabh Nivas, Bhau Daji Road, opposite Maheshwari Udyan, Matunga.

Call: 24021230

Macher Paturiu00a0

AT Hoogli

This traditional Bengali dish is served on special occasions in West Bengal. Boneless Hilsa fish is smothered in mustard, coriander and chillies, and smoked in a bamboo leaf folded into a packet, tied with a string. Whether you are a Bong food lover or a newbie to the cuisine, trying this one is a must.

For: Rs 120u00a0

At: Mira Apartment, diagonally opposite Mega Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri (W).

Call: 26399333

Sea Bass in Lotus Leafu00a0u00a0u00a0

AT Tetsuma

Dewy lotus leaves unfurl to reveal slices of Sea Bass steamed in laksa sauce. It's Tetsuma's house specialty, and is part of the standalone Japanese restaurant's Sunday brunch spread.

For: Rs 1,250

At: 41/44 Dr Minoo Desai Marg, near The Courtyard, Colaba. Call: 22876578u00a0

Bean There, Done Thatu00a0u00a0

AT BreadTalk

This Chinese bun comes stuffed with red bean paste and bananas, topped with custard and wrapped in a leaf. Fluffy and slightly chewy, these buns are called Baozi in China.

For: Rs 50

At: Shop No. 5, British Gas House, Hiranandani Business Park, Powai.
u00a0
Call: 25700666; Food Court, Level 2, Inorbit Mall, Link Road Malad (W).

Call: 28777699

Note: Prices of dishes don't include taxes