Mumbai boasts a rich collection of iconic heritage structures from India’s colonial past, providing a glimpse into a bygone era. A recently viral item on social media is an old menu from the renowned “Light of Asia” restaurant, which closed its doors in 2018.
This menu showcased a delectable assortment of dishes, focusing on non-vegetarian fare like mutton, pork, fish, and eggs, while vegetarian options were limited to side dishes. Interestingly, the terms “veg” and “non-veg” were absent from the menu, a stark contrast to today’s dining language.
The restaurant was known for its fine-dining ambiance, merging English and Continental cuisines with unique offerings such as sweetbreads, tongue, and rare meats like liver and kidney. Located in the heart of Mumbai, opposite the General Post Office and near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), it was a favored spot for soldiers, tourists, sailors, and locals alike.
Its menu blended British and local Indian culinary traditions, featuring both Continental dishes and beloved Indian meals like biryani, curry, mutton mollii, and mutton bafat. Additionally, “Light of Asia” served a variety of nostalgic drinks popular at the time, including Ovaltine, Winto, and Thurst, none of which can be found in modern Indian restaurants. The restaurant also boasted a soda fountain, offering hand-pumped carbonated beverages alongside ice cream soda, gingerade, and falooda, delighting both locals and visitors.
