What I’ve Learned in Mumbai: My Experiences

I was immediately impressed by how many cultures and religions live together here, not without friction, but very peacefully as good neighbors. I find this tolerance in practice fantastic and inspiring – as a European I often think: we could learn a lot from this. 

Since living in Mumbai, my taste buds have doubled. At least! The food is so aromatic. This doesn’t have anything to do with heat, but with the spices. The cooking technique is also different – chicken is marinated in yogurt here to make it tender. I had to come to India to learn this. 

No matter how much adversity they face, they never lose their smile. Even after hours in crowded trains, they are friendly and helpful. As employees, they are loyal and work hard. Almost too hard. There have been times when I have had to beg them to go home. 

There are still real craftsmen here, experts in their field. Carpenters, blacksmiths, painters – they are skilled, but also have their own style as artists. You can’t just find them on the internet, not many of them have a website. You discover their store by chance or by word of mouth: I know someone who can help … 

I recommend friends who come to visit me to try the various street food stalls, because it’s simply fantastic in Mumbai. My second tip is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Behind this impressive name is a museum that houses exhibitions on art, archaeology, and natural history. A boat trip to Elephanta Island, about eight kilometers from Mumbai, is also very worthwhile. There you will find the Elephanta Caves with Shiva sculptures carved out of the rock – truly breathtaking.

Manuel Olveira Seller's culinary art has already taken him halfway around the world: from his native city of Toledo to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Mumbai. In India, he discovered new textures, flavors and spices, which he incorporates into the European cuisine of his two restaurants La Loca Maria and La Panthera in Mumbai.