The World’s First 22-Karat Gold-Plated Vada Pav

From golden ice cream to pizza, the gold-plated food trend has taken the internet by storm. Previously netizens feasted their eyes on a Royal Golden Biryani. It was also created in Dubai by chefs at the Dubai Bombay Borough. While biryani is already considered a royal dish, hence adding gold to it for cosmetic purposes did not feel particularly wild.

But now, the chefs at O’Pao, Dubai, have taken this trend a step ahead. They have created the world’s first 22-karat gold-plated Vada Pav. Surprised! But it’s true. Let’s find out more about it.

What’s A Vada Pav?

If you have ever been to Mumbai, you may be familiar with the traditional Vada pav. The vada consists of spiced potatoes that are mashed yet chunky. It is then covered in a besan (gram flour) batter and deep-fried. The vada is then consumed either with a pav or as it is with chutney and fried green chilies.

As is clear from the description, the vada pav is a very humble fried dish. It is even considered a superfood by the working class Mumbaikars. It provides them with sustenance and energy to survive their grueling workday.

But what O’Pao has done is tangentially different from what the vada pav is all about. Traditionalists may even consider it to be somewhat peculiar. This restaurant has taken the humble vada pav (something cheap and sustaining) to a completely different price point.

So, What Is This Gold-Plated Vada Pav All About?

The vada stuffing is filled with truffle and cheese compound butter and then coated with besan batter and fried. Before stuffing it between the pav, the chef covers the vada with 22-carat gold edible leaves. The truffle in the compound butter provides the vada with an earthy and nutty taste. It is done so that the vada goes along well with the earthy and warm whole spices used for its seasonings. The creaminess of the cheese compliments the fluffy and rustic potatoes and the crispy coating of fried batter.

The Side Dishes To The Vada Pav Are Stars In Their Own Right

The gold vada pav is paired with sweet potato fries and refreshing mint lemonade. Sweet potato fries are immensely popular nowadays. Their fluffy, creamy texture on the inside and the orange, crispy exterior will keep you coming back for more. The mint lemonade’s tart and sweet flavors will take you back to Mumbai, to your favorite pani puri hawker’s shop.

The gold vada pav and fries are then served in a fancy, carved wooden box. That’s not all; it comes with an added theatrical effect of nitrogen vapors ascending out of the box.

Criticism For This Gold Food Trend

Traditional foodies might still be able to understand these additions and appreciate these flavor profiles. But it is a widespread consensus that adding a layer of 22-carat gold leaf is purely for cosmetic reasons. It only drives up the price point and does nothing to add to the flavor.

Priced at a whopping 99 AED, it comes to around ₹ 2,000 in Indian currency.

Parting Words

Now, whether you would like to travel to Dubai to have this extravagant vada pav or not is completely up to you. But, we suggest that you do it. It might end up being a once in a lifetime experience!