Houston has no shortage of Indian restaurants — Kiran’s (reviewed earlier), Udipi, Bombay Brasserie, Mughal, Nirvana, and Mumbai Spice, to name a few. Among these, two places consistently stand out for me: Kiran’s and Mumbai Spice. Mumbai Spice, often referred to by my friend Malini as my “home away from home,” truly lives up to that description.
The food is consistently good, and the service is excellent. Mr. Bakshi, the owner, is almost always present, personally overseeing the restaurant and making sure every guest feels welcome. He has a wonderful way of engaging with patrons, complete with a repertoire of jokes and shayari (Hindi or Urdu couplets) that add warmth and character to the dining experience.
Now, on to the food. Mumbai Spice serves traditional Indian fare — the kind you expect and hope to find at a good neighborhood Indian restaurant. The chef, Buta Singh, hails from Punjab and specializes in North Indian cuisine. His standout dishes include Tandoori Chicken, Dal Makhani, and Paneer Do Pyaza.
Last night, my colleague and friend Anil and I stopped by Mumbai Spice and asked the chef to surprise us with his favorite dishes. What arrived at the table was a generous spread of Paneer Do Pyaza, Bhindi Masala, and Tarka Daal, served with white rice and naan.
One of my biggest pet peeves with restaurant-style bhindi masala is how often it’s over-fried and swimming in oil. Mumbai Spice got it just right. The bhindi was neither too green nor overly fried — perfectly balanced and very much reminiscent of how my mom used to make it.
The Paneer Do Pyaza was equally satisfying. The paneer was soft and moist, coated in a well-spiced gravy that delivered flavor without overpowering the dish.
The only slight letdown of the meal was the dal. Personally, I prefer my dal light and flowing rather than thick. This particular dal was extremely thick and felt more like something lifted straight from an earlier buffet service.
Bottom line: Mumbai Spice is a solid choice for good, comforting Indian food. While it may not have the sophistication of Kiran’s, the quality of the dishes and the hospitality more than make up for it. It’s definitely a must-visit spot if you’re looking for dependable Indian cuisine in the Houston suburbs.
PS: If you do stop by and enjoy spicy food, ask for the Mirchi Pakoras. They’re fiery Indian-style pepper fritters and well worth trying if you like serious heat.
