Dive deep into the history of vada pav and know about its origin in the city

Piping hot batata vada straight from the hot oil, combined with your favourite chutney, and packed in a soft pav, Vada pav is the quintessential Maharashtrian snack, and nobody can convince us otherwise. Be it a quick breakfast on the go, or a lifesaver at the end of the month, we have all enjoyed vada pav in some way or the other. Let's understand our favourite snack a little better and know the history of the Vada Pav.

Although it's considered a Maharashtrian dish, the humble vada pav originated from the heart of the city - Dadar. And thanks to Ashok Vaidya for introducing Mumbaikers to their favourite snack. He set up a small joint opposite the Dadar station, and in 1966, and before he knew, Mill workers started swamping his store for a hot snack.

Within no time, Vada Pav was picked up, and vada pav joints started popping up all across the city. And it took no time for it to take a special place in our heart.

The vada pav also gained popularity when Shiv Sena promoted the snack as an alternative to the Udupi joints. This was a way to instill independence in workers who had lost jobs due to the closing of textile mills in the city after the textile strikes in the 1980s. This idea took off, and within no time, vada pav became a proud invention of Mumbai that not only fed us but also provided a source of income.

If we see the history of vada pav, it is interesting to note that the main ingredients in vada pav - the potatoes and the bread is not indigenous, but the result of Portuguese colonization in India. But we made it our own by mixing the potatoes in tons of spices and coating.

Featured image: Source

Also Read: Can’t grab a Vada Pav on the go? Order piping hot Vada Pavs in Mumbai online!

For more such stories follow Local Samosa on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram.