A scoop too far? Vada pav with ice cream shocks the internet

Although a native of Maharashtra, the iconic vada pav is one of the most loved street foods in the world. The spicy and delicious vada pav sold on the streets of Mumbai is the favourite snack of many celebrities including cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar. Recently, vada pav even found a place in the list of best sandwiches in the world.

Vada pav, which typically costs a mere Rs 10–20 per plate, is often called the poor man’s sandwich. This popular food item is also sold as ‘Bombay burger’ at the restaurants and eateries across the country. Vada pav is prepared by placing a vada which is a deep friend potato patty between the pav (bread bun). It is served with a flavoursome green chutney made with coriander and mint leaves, some fresh chillies and a sprinkle of chilli powder.

Interestingly, in 2017, famous British television cooking show host and cookbook writer Nigella Lawson called vada pav her favourite snack. However, now, a video posted by a food vlogger based in Ahmedabad, has become a viral sensation on the internet for the wrong reasons.

The ‘vada pav’ shown in the video has a block of ice cream instead of the potato patty between the buns. The video shows a man cutting the bun in half and placing a scoop of ice cream in the centre. This is then toasted nicely in some ghee on a hot pan. The ice cream remains unmelted between the toasted buns. However, the post didn’t go down well with vada pav lovers, who are slamming both the video and the person who made the ice cream vada pav. A week later, the video appears to have been taken down by the vlogger.

Although the dish is pretty similar to a streetside ice cream sandwich, the contrasting flavours of warm ghee and chilled ice cream is getting some side eyes.

Meanwhile, some have been posting hilarious comments, such as, “I apologize for the entire Gujarati community,” alluding to the place where the bizarre dish originated.