A recent video shared by a food account on Instagram showcased an unusual dish where tandoori chicken was covered in pink sauce before being served with traditional mint chutney at a Mumbai restaurant. Despite receiving over 37,000 likes, the dish sparked humorous comments mocking its gimmicky appearance.
One of the top-rated comments on the video humorously dubbed it “Barbie-q chicken,” drawing a comparison to the pink-themed craze of Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film Barbie. Other commenters joked about the potential sources of the pink color, with one suggesting “Gelusil syrup” and another playfully mentioning “Solkadhi wala chicken,” referencing a drink made with coconut milk and kokum.
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Although the method behind the chicken’s pink hue wasn’t explicitly stated, when someone speculated that beetroot mixed with curd might be responsible, the food account responded with enthusiasm, confirming the guess with multiple heart emojis.
This isn’t the first instance of chefs incorporating pink color into unexpected dishes. Earlier this year, Mumbai-based baker Heena Kausar Raad gained attention for creating pink-colored biryani and accompanying raita for a Barbie-themed party. Despite receiving criticism for deviating from traditional recipes, her video showcasing the creations garnered over 230,000 likes on Instagram.
Netizens React:
While some viewers expressed surprise and disappointment with the dish, such as one Instagram user exclaiming, “Baapre.. my immediate reaction,” others joked that it made them “physically sick.”
Questions also arose about the rationale behind altering such a traditional dish, with one commenter pondering, “The question isn’t which color is added, but why?”
One user jokingly threatened with legal action and left a humorous comment: “Hey so I’m gonna contact my lawyer and we will see you in court for this. I will get that biryani justice (i’m coming for everything).”