Make it at home
How to make Bombay Frankie at home.
Bombay Frankie takes 40 minutes and serves 4 (4 frankies). This guide gives the ingredients in cups and spoons, the steps in order and the mistakes that most often go wrong.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 3 min read
Time
40 minutes
Serves
4 (4 frankies)
Skill
Medium
Method
Griddle and roll
What you need
Quantities serve 4 (4 frankies). Make the filling first, so it is ready to heat.
- For the rotis: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp oil, water
- For the filling: 3 boiled potatoes, mashed, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chaat masala, salt, 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- Green chutney and tamarind chutney
- 1 onion, thinly sliced, and 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 tsp frankie masala or chaat masala
- Butter for cooking
Step by step
Soft rotis are the key. Make them fresh if you can.
Make the rotis
Knead the flours, salt, oil and enough water into a soft dough. Rest it for 20 minutes, divide into 4 balls and roll each into a thin, 20 cm circle. Cook on a hot griddle for 30 seconds on each side.
Season the filling
Mix the mashed potato with the chilli powder, cumin, chaat masala, salt and coriander. Shape it into 4 oblong patties.
Crisp the filling
Heat a little butter in a pan and cook the patties for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until crisp and golden.
Build
Lay a roti on a board and spread green chutney down the centre, then tamarind chutney. Place a patty on top and add the onion, cabbage and a sprinkle of masala.
Roll
Fold the bottom edge up, roll tightly and wrap the bottom in foil or paper.
Warm
Toast the rolled frankie on a buttered pan for 30 seconds on each side, and serve hot.
01
Tips for a better result
Warm bread, hot filling and cold vegetables.
- Cook the roti only briefly, so it stays soft and can be rolled.
- Keep the onion and cabbage raw for crunch against the hot filling.
- Roll tightly and wrap the base so it holds together.
02
Mistakes to avoid
Common problems:
- Rotis that are cooked too long and crack when rolled.
- Too much chutney, which makes the roll soggy.
- A filling that is cold, which makes the whole frankie taste flat.
03
Shopping for it in Canada
Most ingredients are simple.
- Rotis: ready-made rotis or soft tortillas work well and save time.
- Chutneys: jars of green and tamarind chutney from Indian grocers.
- Frankie masala: from Indian grocers, or use chaat masala.
- Cabbage and onion: from any supermarket.
04
Or let us make it
A frankie needs fresh bread, a hot filling and several small components, which adds up to a lot of work for a single roll. Bombay Frankie is $9.99 CAD on our menu, at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
How long does Bombay Frankie take to make?
About 40 minutes from start to finish for 4 (4 frankies).
Can I make Bombay Frankie ahead of time?
Make the filling and chutneys ahead. Assemble and roll just before eating.
Can I use tortillas instead of homemade rotis?
Yes. Soft flour tortillas warmed in a pan are a good, quick substitute for the bread.
What do I serve with Bombay Frankie?
Fries, a cold masala soda or a cup of chai.
Where can I order Bombay Frankie in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves it. Bombay Frankie is $9.99 CAD on our menu. Tapri Chai is also listed on DoorDash and SkipTheDishes for delivery in Barrhaven and nearby parts of south Ottawa, so check which app serves your address.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.