Vada Pav as the National Food of India

Today’s hot topic is about something I guess all the Maharashtrians especially the Mumbaikars would agree to. So that being said I feel that Vada Pav should be declared as the National Food of India. There were some issues regarding keeping Khichdi as the national food but thank god we didn’t finalize on that.

So we’ll start off with a basic description of what Vada Pav is and its origin. Vada Pav is what people like to call the Indian Version of the American Burger. NO!! Vada Pav has his own identity and nobody can take that away. Vada is made of boiled and mashed potatoes with a pool of spices that are then dipped in a batter of gram flour and deep-fried until golden brown. Then it’s gently placed in the Pav which is smeared with coriander or tamarind or garlic chutney (I’d personally prefer all 3) along with fried green chilies, onion, and most importantly peanut chutney. The dry powdered peanut chutney is something that might even lead you to bite your own finger (trust me it’s that good).

Now speaking about the origin, according to legends, Vada Pav was the brainchild of Ashok Vaidya, whose Vada Pav stall was stationed just outside Dadar station. It was his idea to sneak-fried Vada made of spicy mashed potatoes inside chutney slathered Pavs.

Since you all know the description and origin let’s get back to our point as to why it should be the National Food of our Country. I’ll state a couple of facts that are completely my take on this food.

Firstly, the economic factor. Any food becomes popular when more and more people eat it regularly. This being a local street food is available at almost every corner and sometimes people can have it as their daily food. It is so economical that you can get it for as low as ₹10.

Secondly, the taste factor. The pav, the chutney, and the spicy Mirchi, just set our taste buds on fire and we wish to have it again and again. At the end of the day that is all that you’d expect from a dish, something that fills you up has a tangy spicy taste, and lastly is available almost everywhere.

Thirdly, the ease to carry and eat factor. All those people who go to work early in the morning like the daily wage earners, the office goers, the tourists, and anyone would find it very convenient and pocket-friendly to just eat it on the go. Even if they are in a hurry, they can wrap it in the paper and have it walking on the road while reaching their destination.

Fourthly, the use of minimal ingredients factor. Vada Pav can be made at almost any hour of the day at home. You just need potatoes, salt, chili powder, onions, chilies, oil, and bread and you are good to go. You can easily make it on a pleasant rainy day, sit near your window, and voila.

Lastly, the sense of fullness factor. After you eat let’s say 2 Vada Pav (that’s all you need to keep you running for a long time) the feeling you have inside is just something that I’d like to call foodgasm. It makes you feel so complete that all you’d want is a small power nap and you’ll be fresh as ever.

And if you Non-Maharashtrian and you think you’ve had the best Vada Pav, wait until you try the iconic Vada Pav at Kirti College in Dadar, Shivaji Vada Pav & Anand Stall in Vile Parle, Aram Vada Pav opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and many such places.