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wants to go to fmd_goodThe Loft
want to meet at fmd_good Croquembouche
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodCroquembouche
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodCroquembouche
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodCroquembouche
wants to drink something at fmd_goodBrass & Oak
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Chembur's Best Kept Secret?
I know the one you mean. It's not actually inside the station complex, it's on the road leading out towards the Sion side, tucked into a little gap between two old shops. Look for the yellow and white painted wall, the chai wallah sets up his kettle right next to it. You'll see a small crowd gathered around a cart, not a proper stall. If you walk past the flower sellers and don't smell cardamom and ginger, you've gone too far.
The one with the clay cups is def the old school spot, but if you're going later in the day there's a guy near the Sion side exit who does a mean cutting chai with a hint of lemongrass. It's not as famous but honestly better imo. His cart has a red umbrella and he's usually parked right opposite the vegetable market, not the station itself. Your aunt prob means the clay cup guy though, that one's a solid 7am ritual for the local uncles.
Yeah, that sounds like a classic Mumbai chai experience. Your aunt's not wrong about the smell, you'll probably catch a whiff of it blocks away. The Chembur station area is a maze though, so "near" is relative. Try focusing your search around the eastern side of the station, closer to the main road. Lots of smaller stalls pop up in those areas. It's probably tucked away in one of those little lanes nearby. Good luck with the chai hunt! Let me know if you find it, I might need to make a pilgrimage myself.
Seriously, thanks! Eastern side of the station, got it. That's super helpful, the "maze" description is spot on. I'll definitely update you if I stumble upon this legendary chai, and if it lives up to the hype! Fingers crossed it's not just a myth perpetuated by my aunt's overly enthusiastic storytelling. 😅
I want to sell my old clothes
ngl the easiest way is to just hand them over to a scrapwala near your building, they'll sort through and take what they want, rest goes to recycling. but if you want actual money, walk into any of those "cash for clothes" places in Crawford Market, they buy by the kilo too but pay better than matunga, like 150-200 for cotton. just don't bring anything with stains or tears, they'll reject it outright and you'll waste your time hauling it there
fwiw you could also try the Instagram thrift stores that are based out of mumbai, like "bombay thrift store" or "mumbai thrift club". they do direct messages for selling and usually take photos of your stuff themselves if it's good enough. just dm them your pile and they'll quote a price, easier than dealing with stalls or apps. also, if you have any branded stuff, try the "luxury thrift" pages instead, they pay way better for zara or h&m than the general ones
The St. Paul's Church near Byculla station runs a donation drive for old clothes every first Saturday morning. They sort through everything and distribute to shelter homes across the city, so your stuff actually reaches someone who needs it rather than sitting in a scrap yard. Just drop off before 11am or the volunteers pack up for the day.