Papad is not food. It’s an emotion. No Indian meal is complete without crispy papads. So it’s no surprise that Indians are very possessive of crisp, paper-thin accompaniments. Recently, a photo of a Malaysian restaurant menu went viral on his social media. That’s because they boldly call papados “the nachos of Asia.” Here’s what happened.
Malaysian restaurant names papad ‘Asian nachos’
Twitterati, @NaanSamantha took to her microblogging site to share a photo of a restaurant menu in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photo shows a bowl of papads paired with what appears to be a salad, the dish is named “Asian nachos” and the ingredients are papads, avocado, tamarind salsa and crispy he shallots. The price is 27 MYR (about 515 rupees). This is very expensive. Go to a South Indian restaurant and get a free papad or a bowl for under £100.
Culinary crimes committed pic.twitter.com/owYQoILSnk
— Samantha (@NaanSamantha) January 22, 2023
minutes @NaanSamantha tweeted this photo and it quickly went viral. Netizens did some research and found out that the restaurant involved in this “food crime” was a Kuala Lumpur snitch by thieves. Netizens wondered what they were thinking when they called papad the “Asian nachos.” The tweet received 9188 likes, 102 comments, 597.2k views and 2255 retweets. That’s how many desi foodies are amused and even more enraged by the anglicized version of papad.
Will netizens joke if Mexicans and Indians are more offended?
Twitterati @nikster007 wondered who would be more offended by Indians or Mexicans. @MAHESH79989822 said: They are profiting from this crime!” netizen @Mstr_f_none recalled. It was Kichidi. Another joked that the crepe should be a western dosa.
😱
And 27 ringgits of papad given free in India to injure! They are profiting from this crime!Someone please remind Malaysians that they have a real navy with Brahmos missiles and that their oil supply routes pass well within range.
— Mahesh Krishnan (@ MAHESH79989822) January 23, 2023
Also Read: Kartik Aaryan Tastes Papadrice at Roadside Stall at 2am
Meanwhile, another netizen wondered whether to call it “moong ka papad”, “black dotted nachos”. Many others have found tamarind salsa and avocado to be an unusual accompaniment with papad, an accompaniment in itself.
On the other hand, what do you think of these “Asian nachos”? let us know!
Cover image courtesy of Canva