If you are from Bengaluru, you would know what a bun masala is. Many would know where to feed on one of the best bun masala. If not, its time you know! Bun masala is nothing a bun, slit into two, filled with a drizzle of  sweet imli chutney and spicy green chutney, fresh chopped vegetables like onion, tomato, cucumber, cabbage or beetroot.

What`s so special about bread filled with raw vegetables??? Read on to know…!

Introducing bun maaum pronounced in a way that sounds close bun mom. When your eyes meet the generously filled soft buns, its love at first sight. The smell of it is extremely tempting. At first bite the flavours simply explode and you are transported to another place and you become oblivious of your surroundings. Your senses explore the depth of tangy, hot filling against the soft and sweet bread.

Find it run in a small old blue cart on Alfred Street, Bengaluru. Zubair Khan has been running this place for the past 17 years. It was started by his father who ran the place for 44 years before Zubair took over. The cart is open for business Monday to Friday, from 11:30 AM till 3 PM, unless the items run out sooner! Being located close to Baldwin Boys High School, the student crowd are in plenty.  The place however is frequented by people of all age groups.

Those who have been regulars here for many years now will vouch for the taste and quality. The consistent view is that the original addictive taste that made the place popular still continues today. And my husband has the same view. It was a popular eatery during his school days at Baldwins and has relished the bun masala and mango masala umpteen number of times. A visit to the place many years later brought back the same fond memories and flavours as was back then when the father ran the place.

A little more on the famous bun masala. Its not a rocket science of a dish. It just starts with slitting a bun into two halves. One side is smothered with sweet tamarind (imli) chutney and the other side with spicy green chutney. Then begins sprinkling layers of fresh, raw vegetables like onions, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage or sometimes even beetroot. Then comes a generous sprinkling of homemade masala powder. During every visit I try to crack the code, to decode the recipe and see what makes it so finger licking good. I believe the secret lies in this home made concoction of ground spices. What goes into making of this spice mix is till a mystery! Lastly some crispy sev completes the dish.

Apart from bun masala, other items on the menu are mango masala, samosa masala, cutlet, nippattu, bhel, burger, papad masala, chips masala. All items cost Rs.20/- except mango masala that costs Rs.50/- for half and Rs.100/- for full. Cutlet costs Rs.30/-. All items are vegetarian.

Mango masala is chopped raw mango tossed in tamarind chutney and a spicy achar (pickle) masala. Along with vegetables, lighlty mased samosa are placed between buns for samosa masala. Cutlets are drizzled with chutneys and vegetables and served as cutlet masala. This is just a preview of some of the specialities. A visit to this place is a must for more!

The standard item on all days is the bun masala and mango masala depends on the season. The other items are available on different days, for instance cutlet on one day and burger on another. To be able to taste all of day`s special, it is advisable to go as early as possible. With the crowd everyday the items sometimes get over by 2PM!

Is this enough enough to tempt you to drop by here and taste for yourself? And if you do visit here, it won`t be your last! You would get frequent cravings to pass by Alfred street in search of the blue cart, hoping and praying he is not done for the day!

Location: Alfred Street, Opposite Bake Junction, Bengaluru.