Bombay Food Junkies in Missouri: Meet the Chef

chefusastreet food

Aug 30

We sat down with Krupa Panchal of Bombay Food Junkies in Missouri. Bombay Food Junkies offers an authentic taste of Indian cuisine, specializing in flavorful street food and traditional dishes from Mumbai. Known for their vibrant spices and fresh ingredients, expect a rich culinary experience that captures the essence of Bombay’s bustling food scene. Their menu features a variety of chaats, pav bhaji, and other regional favorites, making it a must-visit for lovers of Indian flavors in the heart of Missouri.

Bombay Food Junkies in Missouri: Meet the Chef

Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?

My mornings start with gratitude — I begin each day with a prayer and a quiet moment to thank God. Then it’s mom duty: I pack lunch for our daughter and take our pup out for a refreshing walk. After that, it’s time to energize with a workout in my home gym. I prep lunch and dinner for the day, get ready, and head to work feeling centered and motivated!

Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?

Oh yes! We’re incredibly proud of the recognition we've received:

2013 Mobile Cuisine Vegetarian Food Truck of the Year (Winner)
2014 Mobile Cuisine Vegetarian/Vegan Food Truck of the Year (2nd place)
Named one of America's 26 Best Food Trucks by Food Network (2019)
Voted Best Indian Restaurant (Reader’s Choice) by Feast Magazine (2023)
Runner-Up in the STL Veg Fest Cooking Challenge (2022)
Awarded Best Vegan Restaurant in Missouri by Bear Plate (2019)
Every award is a huge honor and fuels our passion to do even better!

Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?

My all-time favorite chefs? My mom and my mother-in-law! I was raised on delicious home-cooked food, and their influence has shaped my culinary style in a big way. These days, I’m inspired by talented vegan home chefs on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok — creators who bring wild creativity to the kitchen every single day. I’m always learning, always experimenting.

Start simple. Nail your base recipe first, then play around with flavors. Keep detailed notes so you can recreate or tweak dishes easily. And most importantly — never stop learning!

What do you typically cook at home?

Honestly? Mostly whatever our teenage daughter is craving! We’re a family that loves eating at home and we try to keep it healthy. I especially enjoy experimenting with Chinese and Vietnamese dishes that weren’t part of my upbringing. One of my favorite things to do is veganize traditional recipes — it’s so fulfilling to prove that plant-based meals can be just as delicious (if not more!) than their non-vegan versions.

What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?

The mushroom mania is real — and I’m loving it! More and more people are falling in love with fungi, especially Lion’s Mane. We've been using it to create these incredible Vegan Crab Rangoon Wontons, and they are FLYING off the shelves. We literally can’t make them fast enough! Also, the rising awareness around veganism, plant-based diets, and sustainability makes my heart happy. It’s good for your body, our planet, and the animals. Win-win-win!

What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?

I’m actually pretty picky when it comes to textures and smells, so I don’t get too wild when dining out. But at home? All bets are off! My husband is the adventurous one — he’ll try anything vegan at least once. One of the most unexpectedly awesome dishes we had was “Dragon Fruit-Flavored Rice” in Indonesia. It sounded bizarre, but it was absolutely delicious!

What drink do you enjoy most?

Lately, I’m loving matcha-strawberry green tea with boba and oat milk — it’s like a treat and a pick-me-up all in one. But my ultimate go-to? Fresh coconut water straight from the fruit — no sugar, no preservatives, just pure, tropical hydration.

Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?

To us, every guest is treated like a celebrity — we go all out to make every event special. That said, we once catered a private art event for Cbabi Bayoc, a celebrated illustrator and painter known for his vibrant depictions of family and music. It was such a cool experience!

What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?

Why should readers visit Bombay Food Junkies in Missouri?

If you're looking for the most exciting and diverse vegan food in STL — we’ve got you covered!
From globally inspired dishes like ravioli, crab rangoon wontons, and vegan butter chicken to Indian street food favorites like vada pav, pani puri, and kachori chaat — every visit is a flavor-packed adventure.
Oh, and did we mention vegan soft serve made from our house-made mix? Plus shakes, cakes, breads, tiramisu… and new specials all the time. Come hungry. Leave happy. Repeat often!

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