In most parts of the world, Chinese cuisine is served at its authentic best — with light flavours and a controlled hand of spice — but in India, it charted its own course. Barring chopsticks wielding fine-dine restaurants, Chinese food here comes with a desi imprint. It doesn’t matter if you call it ‘Chinese Indian’ or ‘Indian Chinese’, or even the more with-it ‘Chindian’, fact is, we cannot get enough of ajinomoto, soya and Schezwan sauce. In a classic reversal, we’ve allowed these ingredients’ entry into dosas, pakodas and parathas. As you read this, the debate on whether or not to ban Chinese imports continues. It’s not clear if food flavours will also make it to the list of banned goods. But should such a thing happen, here are Mumbai’s best Chindian delights to savour before it’s too late.

All pics/Bipin Kokate