Poori Sagu | Bombay Sagu | Potato Sagu

I’d like to call this recipe as another tribute to the humble, staple, yet unmissable root vegetable in our kitchens, the aloo or potato. As interesting or unique as it may sound, the reality is that this Potato Sagu is a simple, vegan and tasty style of making a potato curry with some herbs and spices. This is a delicacy from the cuisine of Karnataka and is usually served with poori, chapatis and even dosa or idli.

About Poori Sagu

Basically, another regional variation to the potato curry that is the ubiquitous pairing with a poori, I happened to get a taste of it while living in Bengaluru or Bangalore. Although there, I tried the Potato Sagu with a rava idli at one of the MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) restaurants.  

Even this particular rava idli at this eatery was a larger one, as compared to what we made at home. It came with a side of the Potato Sagu and coconut coriander chutney, and changed the simple deal, into a deliciously amazing one. You should try my version of this Coriander Coconut Chutney too.

Just like this Potato Sagu being served with pooris, the potato curry-poori combination is quite a favorite and chosen one across the Indian subcontinent.

You will find different regional variations as you change a state. The North Indian states have their own distinct recipes like this Aloo Puri, so is the case with South Indian states.

A popular Goan way of preparing it is the patal bhaji, the dry version of which is known as sukha bhaji. Other than the Karnataka special Potato Sagu, a typical potato preparation called Poori Masala is well-known in Tamil Nadu. All of these are usually enjoyed with pooris.

I have also travelled a lot in Maharashtra and found out that the Marathi style Poori Bhaji is a delightful breakfast option available in many restaurants, hotels as well as dhabas (roadside eateries) there.

More on Bombay Sagu

Potato Sagu is also famous as Bombay Sagu. Though, it’s quite a mystery to me, even till today, as to why it is called so. I have never seen or heard of anything of this sort in the eateries of Mumbai, not even the Udupi restaurants.

While you’re at this recipe of Potato Sagu, I’d also like to mention about one of my other favorite aloo curry recipes, the Banarasi style aloo ki sabzi with pooris.

I tried it during my trip to the holy city of Banaras or Varanasi, and since then the taste has stuck with me. Though, it was similar to my recipe of Aloo Rasedar.

You’ll really be happy while making this Potato Sagu as it doesn’t require much time to get done. You just need to begin by boiling the potatoes, the rest of the method is super easy.

I like the flavor of this dish with onions, so have added them. You can make it a no onion curry too. Green peas also taste good in this dish.

Also, usually the Potato Sagu curry has a medium consistency, not thick or thin but if you want to make it with a slightly thinner consistency, that is doable too and tastes just as lovely. If you don’t feel like crumbling the potatoes, you can chop them too.

In addition to this Potato Sagu, there is a variation of sagu that is made with mixed vegetables and is known as Veg Sagu. You can serve any of these with poori, chapati, rava idli, set dosa, neer dosa, poha dosa or even plain dosa. A side of coconut chutney is also a good option.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Bombay Sagu

Cooking Potatoes

1. Rinse 3 to 4 medium potatoes very well and then boil or steam in a pressure cooker.  If pressure cooking, pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles. The potatoes should be cooked till soft and of a mashable consistency.

For stovetop pressure cooking, place the potatoes in a 3 litre pressure cooker. Add water almost covering the potatoes. You can also add a few pinches of salt if you prefer.

Pressure cook on medium heat for 4 to 5 whistles. When the pressure drops naturally in the cooker, then only open the lid.

Using tongs removed the cooked potatoes and place them on a plate to cool.

2. When the potatoes are still warm, peel and crumble them. You can also chop them and keep aside.

Make Potato Sagu

3. In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and let them splutter on low heat.

4. When the mustard seeds splutter, add 1 teaspoon urad dal and 1 teaspoon chana dal.

5. Stir and sauté on low heat stirring often till the lentils become golden.

6. Then, add ⅔ cup chopped onions.

7. Sauté the onions till translucent on low to medium-low heat.

8. Now, add 1 or 2 chopped green chilies, 1 teaspoon chopped ginger and 10 to 12 curry leaves.

9. Next, add ¼ cup chopped tomatoes.

10. On low to medium heat, sauté the mixture for 2 minutes. Then, add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder and a pinch asafoetida.

11. Mix and continue to sauté for 2 more minutes.

12. Then, add 2 teaspoons gram flour (besan).

13. Mix the gram flour well with the onion-tomato mixture and sauté for a minute.

14. Add 1.25 cups water.

15. Stir and mix well.

16. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil.

17. Add the crumbled potatoes.

18. Mix the potatoes with the rest of the curry.

19. Season with salt.

20. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the potato curry on low heat for 7 to 8 minutes or till the curry thickens. Check once or twice while simmering.

21. The curry should have a medium consistency and should not be thick or thin. A slight thin consistency is also fine. Check the taste, add more salt if required.

22. Lastly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves and switch off the heat.

23. Serve Bombay Sagu hot with poori, dosa, rava idli, chapati or paratha.

More Potato Recipes To Try!

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more veetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

This Poori Sagu from the archives first published in April 2016 has been republished and updated on January 2023.

Source: Dassana’s Veg Recipes