These days, wherever you go, most cafés seem to serve the same kind of sandwiches — grilled cheese, peri-peri chicken, pesto paneer, and the usual repeats. So when I came across something completely different in Kharadi, it immediately caught my attention. A Kala Vatan Focaccia Sandwich at Cafe Mokaroma, a café that has just opened its doors in January 2026.
The moment I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to try it. A sandwich made using Maharashtrian Kala Vatan Masala? That was enough to get me excited even before the first bite. They serve two versions of this sandwich – Paneer and Chicken. I tried their Chicken Kala Vatan FocacciaSandwich.
The preparation itself is quite simple, with only 5 ingredients! The chicken is first pan-cooked in the Kala Vatan paste, allowing the masala to coat every piece properly. The focaccia bread is then pan grilled until lightly crisp. After that, they spread a generous layer of Kala Vatan paste on both sides of the bread, add the chicken, and then top it with Red Chilly and salt spiced onion juliennes. Finally, the sandwich is finished with a drizzle of mint yogurt sauce.
The result is honestly quite impressive.
The focaccia bread is crispy on the outside but incredibly fluffy inside, giving the sandwich a really satisfying bite. The chicken is well coated with the Kala Vatan masala — bold and smoky, but not overly spicy or overwhelming. What works really well is the balance. The mint yogurt sauce cuts through the richness of the masala, giving the sandwich a light and fresh finish.
The portion size is good enough for one person. The sandwich comes with fries on the side along with a spicy tandoor mayo.
Overall, the flavours work surprisingly well together. It’s a fun fusion of Maharashtrian spice and Italian bread, and honestly, it’s refreshing to see something different from the usual café sandwiches.
As for Cafe Mokaroma, the space itself is small but thoughtfully designed. The décor is modern with fresh colours, and they haven’t overdone it. Seating is limited, but it doesn’t feel cramped, making it a comfortable spot for a quick bite.
If you enjoy trying new flavours or are simply bored of the same old sandwiches around the city, this Kala Vatan Focaccia Sandwich is definitely worth checking out. It’s not something you see on café menus every day — and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Kala Vatan is commonly used in dishes like Kala Vatan chicken, mutton, or egg curries, especially in Western Maharashtra-style cooking. The flavour profile is bold, nutty, slightly smoky, and full of depth. It has spice, but it’s not just about heat — it’s more about the roasted complexity that builds slowly on your palate.
Now imagine those flavours inside a sandwich! Yum!
Address: Mundhwa – Kharadi Rd, near chitale bandhu, Tukaram Nagar, Kharadi, Pune
Contact: 07887899880
