Amid Central Park’s sprawling meadows, calm lakes, and bustling footpaths, the aroma of something distinctly Indian is turning heads — freshly fried vada pavs sizzling right in the heart of Manhattan.
Shaunak and Shivani, an Indian couple based in New York City, have introduced a slice of Mumbai’s street food culture to America with their passion project, “The Vada Pav Project.”
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Having grown up in Maharashtra, the duo found themselves craving the comfort of their favourite street-side snack — the humble yet iconic vada pav. For the uninitiated, it’s a spicy potato fritter sandwiched in a pillowy pav (bun), laced with tangy and fiery chutneys — a handheld burst of flavour that defines Mumbai’s food scene.
“While the city has great options for dosas, phuchkas, and kathi rolls, there’s still no real vada pav hit,” says Shivani, explaining what sparked the idea.
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The couple decided to take matters — and spatulas — into their own hands. “We made trips to Patel Brothers, experimented with our recipe, prepared the chutneys, and started hosting vada pav picnics in Central Park,” they share.
Their culinary experiment quickly found fans. “We’ve already served over a hundred of these and are so grateful for all the love and feedback. We hope to continue hosting monthly events,” the couple adds.
What started as a nostalgic craving has now become a community event, drawing both Indian expats and curious New Yorkers eager to taste Mumbai’s favourite snack. The project has also gone viral online, with users applauding the couple for bringing a piece of India to New York’s most iconic park.
In a city that celebrates food from every corner of the world, Shaunak and Shivani’s vada pavs are proving that even a simple street snack can spark joy — and a sense of home — thousands of miles away.
