The Indian Burger

The vada pav, as it is commonly called, is one of the Indian dishes that McDonald's has not been able to master. This Indian burger goes hand in hand with the city of Mumbai. From every local, every factory worker to Bollywood stars, this street food has their never-ending love.

How it's made:

Batata vada or potato patties are dropped into the oil and fried until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. These patties are made with mashed potatoes, green chillies, spices and onion and are shaped into neat and perfect spheres. These patties are flattened a bit and dipped in chickpea batter just before they are fried.

Now for the bread, a soft square bread roll which is called the pav is cut open in the middle and is layered with green chilli and coriander chutney. The fried vadas are places above the chutney.

Origin:

This snack is believed to be invented in the year 1966 by a Mumbai local, Ashok Vaidya. He opened the first vada pav stall opposite to a train station. Hundreds of textile mill workers passed through the place every day and were often in need of an inexpensive quick snack. Vada pav became an instant triumph.

The industry flourished in the 1990s until the arrival of international fast food chains like McDonald's who started serving veg burgers that were similar to the vada pav. McDonald's Aloo Tikki burger is very much similar to vada pav.

But still, vada pav has its hold in the hearts of people. Each vendors' vada pav has its unique magical taste. And each vendor has his own secret recipe for this mouth watering snack.

Ironically, both the bun and the potato were introduced to India by the Portuguese and were European imports in the 17th century. The only main ingredient that actually belongs to India is the chickpea flour. Yet vada pav is thoroughly and always an Indian Mumbaikar dish.