17-06-2025
Swati Snacks' Asha Jhaveri, known for pioneering Indian chaat, passes away at 79
The force behind Mumbai's iconic Swati Snacks, Asha 'Ashaben' Jhaveri, passed away on Saturday, June 14. She was 79.
'Asha Jhaveri passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025. We are deeply saddened by the loss and will miss her very much,' read an official post on Swati Snacks' Instagram page on Monday evening.
The post, signed by Anand Zaveri and the family, further informed that 'as per her wish, there will be no besana or prayer meeting.'
Founded in the early 1960s by her mother, Minakshi Jhaveri, Swati Snacks began as a modest chaat stall in Tardeo, serving sev puri, bhel puri, ragda pattice, and pani puri. When Minakshi passed away in 1979, Asha stepped in to run the family business. Though she had no formal culinary training, her determination, intuition, and an unparalleled eye for detail transformed Swati Snacks from a four-table counter into one of the city's most iconic and enduring food institutions. Today, it is widely known for its signature dishes such as banana leaf-steamed panki, fada ni khichdi, and satpadi roti, alongside Mumbai favourites like pav bhaji, vada pav, sev puri, and dahi batata puri.
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Those who worked closely with her often spoke of her hands-on approach, from inspecting ingredients daily to modernising the kitchen and ensuring that every dish remained true to its roots.
What also set Swati Snacks apart was its ability to appeal to a wide spectrum of diners — from college students to billionaires. Just two years ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook and actor Madhuri Dixit were photographed enjoying a vada pav at the restaurant. Mukesh Ambani has mentioned that his family places weekly orders, a tradition carried on across three generations. The legendary painter M.F. Husain was known to visit every Sunday for sev puri, while tabla maestro Zakir Hussain favoured the dahi batata puri. Over the years, Swati became a must-visit stop for Michelin-starred chefs visiting Mumbai, whether for work or leisure.
In 2021, Asha Jhaveri published a memoir titled Swati Snacks: A Culinary Journey of Hope and Joy, reflecting on her life and her relationship with food. That same year, Swati Snacks was included in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants' 'Essence of Asia' collection.
'Asha Jhaveri of the iconic Swati Snacks lives on in our hearts and in the dishes she created. We had a personal rapport and through her medical suffering, she continued to smile and, in spite of multiple awards, remained down to earth,' wrote Rashmi Uday Singh, veteran food critic and author, on Instagram.
Ashaben leaves behind not just a restaurant, but a legacy and a story of determination, and flavour.
