
COASTAL LIFESTTYLE OF KONKAN
Konkan’s coastline stretches for about 800 km along the Arabian Sea, offering stunning beaches, historic forts, and a thriving fishing industry. The coastal regions, including Mumbai, Konkan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Goa, are known for their rich seafood culture, deeply rooted in local traditions.

The use of coconut, kokum, and a blend of spices gives Konkan seafood its distinct, flavourful taste, making it a favourite among food lovers.
As we move from North Konkan (Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad) to South Konkan (Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa) seafood recipes evolve in terms of spice levels, ingredients, and cooking techniques. In North Konkan, dishes often feature milder flavours with a balanced use of coconut and spices, influenced by Mumbai’s cosmopolitan culture.

As we enter South Konkan, especially in Malvan, Sindhudurg & Goa, seafood preparations become spicier, with heavy use of Malvani masala, dried red chilies, and garam masala. South Konkan also incorporates more coconut-based curries, like Malvani fish curry, and unique preparations such as fried fish, Solkadhi, remains a staple throughout the region but is more prominently consumed in the south.

MALVANI SEAFOOD CULTURE
When you hear a word Malvani, two things come in mind- one is a unique dialect and other is its delectable coastal food, both known as Malvani.
Malvan is small costal town in southern Maharashtra. Its rich culinary heritage has put Malvan on the global map.

Food here is predominantly non-vegetarian. In fact word “Malvani” also got synonymous with its world famous seafood recipes.
Some of it’s famous seafood delicacies include shallow fried fishes, Mashyache Kalvan (thin fish curry), Tikhle (thick fish curry), Khekda Masala (Crabs), Prawns Masala, Tisrya Masala (Clams), Jawala or Golma Bhaaji etc. among many. Kombdi Vade or Vade Sagoti (Chicken Gravy served with Vade) is another famous Malvani dish.

Despite its non-vegetarian dominance, Malvani cuisine offers rich and flavourful vegetarian options that highlight coastal Maharashtra’s unique ingredients.
Kelphulachi Bhaji (banana flower stir-fry), Kala Vatana Usal and Khatkhate (a mixed vegetable dish with coconut and spices). Malvani Vade, Ghavane (rice flour pancakes), Rice Bhakari, and Amboli (thicker, spongy pancakes) are staple accompaniments. Solkadhi, a refreshing drink made from kokum and coconut milk, is enjoyed as a digestive.

World famous Ukadiche Modak (with coconut & Jaggery stuffing) has it’s origins in this land.
INSPIRATION BEHIND STARTING A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Being born and raised in Konkan, our love for Malvani cuisine led us to explore numerous restaurants across town. However, we noticed a common gap -most of these places lacked the authentic Malvani flavours that define true coastal cuisine.

The dishes being served often fell short of the rich, traditional taste we grew up with. Recognising this as an opportunity, we set out to bridge the gap by bringing genuine Malvani flavours to the table. This passion for authenticity became the foundation of our journey into the restaurant business.
BEFORE THE START OF OUR JOURNEY

With an engineering background and a postgraduate degree in management, my professional journey was rooted in the corporate world.
Along with my Vahini (sister-in-law), who came from an academic background and having an excellent culinary skills, we decided to come together to turn our shared passion into reality.

With diverse professional experiences (having no prior experience in the food industry and no family background in business), but with a common love for food, we took a bold leap and ventured into the world of hospitality and embarked on the journey of starting our own seafood restaurant …turning a dream into reality.
SIMPLY MALVANI

We named our restaurant “Simply Malvani” because we wanted our customers to experience authentic Malvani flavours. ….nothing more, nothing less!
We started it in 2019 in Mira Road with a simple goal- serving authentic, home-style coastal flavours using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Within a couple of years, word-of-mouth and our dedication to quality helped us gain a loyal customer base. Our signature dishes, like spicy Malvani fish curry, crispy rava-fried fish, and refreshing solkadhi, became local favourites.

With consistent taste, warm hospitality, and a welcoming ambiance, we attracted food lovers across Mumbai.
Online positive reviews & higher ratings across various platforms further boosted our popularity, turning our humble eatery into a well-known spot for Malvani seafood enthusiasts.
Today, we take pride in serving over 10,000 customers every month, a testament to our commitment to authentic Malvani flavours.

On weekends, our restaurant comes alive with the energy of food lovers eagerly waiting to savour our signature dishes, often leading to long queues at our doorstep.
The overwhelming response and growing demand reaffirm our belief that true, home-style Malvani cuisine has a special place in people’s hearts.
None of this would have been possible without our incredible customers, whose love for Malvani food & trust on us have been the driving force behind our journey.

OUR VISION
Encouraged by this love and support, we are now planning to expand our presence across Mumbai, bringing our authentic Malvani flavours to new locations.
Our vision is to make traditional coastal cuisine more accessible while maintaining the same quality, freshness, and warmth that define Simply Malvani. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we’re excited to share our love for Malvani food with an even larger audience.
Courtesy : In Conversation with the Restaurateur duo ‘Amol Pednekar & Varsha Pednekar at SIMPLY MALWANI at Mira Road, Thane.