Indian cuisine has captivated food enthusiasts worldwide with its rich flavors and diverse offerings. Among its treasures, the simple breakfast of South India, ‘idli-sambar’, has garnered a dedicated following. This humble dish has made its mark across the country. Recently, Russian influencer Mariia Chugurova shared a reel on Instagram as she tasted ‘idli-sambar’ on the lively streets of Mumbai.
Known for her vibrant Instagram presence, Mariia took her followers on a delicious journey while sampling this iconic dish from a street vendor. The video begins with her approaching a vendor selling ‘idli sambar’ and ‘vada sambar’ from a bicycle. Mariia affectionately refers to her as the “Idli Queen,” who presented her with a steaming plate of ‘idli’ and ‘vada’, accompanied by hot ‘sambar’ and chutney. After trying the dish, Mariia’s previous view of ‘idlis’—which she once thought bland—changed dramatically.
She captioned the video, “Russian kudi found idli queen! You, a self-proclaimed non-Idli enthusiast, standing face-to-face with the Idli Queen herself—a wonderful lady with a magical touch in the kitchen. You decide to take a leap of faith and order a plate of those fluffy, steaming Idlis, secretly hoping this experience might just change your taste buds’ minds.”
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Mariia encouraged her followers to visit the street vendor and try what she described as the “best idli” in Mumbai. She remarked, “As you take your first hesitant bite, expecting the usual blandness, something unexpected happens. The Idli, crafted with love and expertise by the Idli Queen, bursts with flavors you never thought possible. Suddenly, you’re hit with a revelation—maybe Idlis aren’t so bad after all.” Her Instagram post also expressed the joy of sharing a smile with the vendor and recognizing the beauty of discovering hidden gems on Mumbai’s streets.
The reel has garnered over 1.7 million views and 84,000 likes. Commenters praised Mariia for trying ‘idli-sambar’ from a street vendor, and her followers appreciated how she articulated her emotions in the reel.
