Bun Maska, a beloved tea-time companion, was once exclusive to Pune’s traditional Irani or Parsee cafes. This sweet, butter-laden bun has since become a widespread delight, now available in most establishments that serve tea. Let’s explore how this simple yet flavorful snack became the favorite pairing with tea.
Irani Café, synonymous with bun maska and chai, serves this classic dish around the clock. According to Abas Ali, the 74-year-old head of the café, they sell about 50-70 dozen buns on weekdays, with numbers almost doubling on weekends.
“Each Irani café follows the same chai recipe,” says Abas Ali. “This café ensures customer satisfaction by never refusing a request and replenishing dishes if they run out. While the infrastructure and prices have changed over the years, the taste has remained consistent due to a fixed recipe.”
Traditionally, buns were baked in wood-fired ovens, but modern methods have taken over. While the maska was once homemade, it now exclusively features Amul butter. The price of bun maska, which was 6-7 naya paisa in 1962, has risen to Rs 55 today, while the tea combo has increased from 15 naya paisa to Rs 25. Despite these changes, Irani Café remains a cherished spot in Pune.
Bryan Augustine, a 24-year-old mechanical engineer, shares, “Bun maska and chai is our go-to dish. My family loves it, and no visit is complete without it.”
Goodluck Café, a landmark in Pune’s Deccan area, is famous for its bun maska. Ghasem Yakhshi, the second-generation owner, reveals that the café has been serving bun maska since 1935.
“People come to our café specifically for bun maska and chai,” says Ghasem Yakhshi. He notes that the café experiences high sales throughout the year, especially during the rainy season, selling 70-80 dozen buns on weekdays and up to 150 dozen on weekends, alongside 85-90 litres of chai daily. While prices have increased from 25 paisa for tea and 50-60 paisa for bun maska in 1989 to Rs 25 and Rs 50, respectively, the bun maska—made with 85% Amul butter and 15% homemade butter—remains a customer favorite. Goodluck Café, for the Yakhshi family, is a treasured legacy that continues to thrive.
The café has also expanded its menu, offering variations like bun jam, bun maska omelette, bun maska masala omelette, and bun maska omelette with mushrooms.
Rutuja Kakde, a 21-year-old M.Com student, says, “Bun maska and chai is the best… I would recommend everyone try it at Goodluck Café. During the rainy season, it’s the perfect hit.”
For over 60 years, Café Paradise on Karve Road has been a go-to spot for bun maska lovers. This simple yet satisfying combination is especially popular during the monsoon.
“We’ve been serving bun maska from the start, and people still love it,” say managers Aslam Shahrukh Khan (21) and Rehan Mirza (24). “Years ago, it was priced at Rs 5, but now it is Rs 40. Despite the price increase, we’ve maintained the quality.”
Café Paradise sells around 40 to 50 bun maskas daily. The buns are sourced from bakeries in Kondhwa and Rasta Peth, and the butter is always Amul. Even as prices rise, bun maska remains a favorite, especially during the rainy season when it’s the perfect snack with a cup of tea.
Aarya Awate, a 20-year-old Garware College student, says, “Café Paradise is where my college friends and I go most frequently after lectures. They serve the best bun maska and chai. During the rainy season, it’s our go-to breakfast.”
