Watch: US YouTuber says Indian food has ‘ruined’ other cuisines for him and pani puri changed his life
Indian food has a way of making people very loyal.Once you get used to the spices, the layers of flavour and the sheer number of dishes to choose from, going back to a plain meal can feel a little disappointing. At least, that seems to be what happened to US-based YouTuber Ed Nathanson.Nathanson, who calls himself the “World’s Greatest Snack Detective,” recently shared a video on Instagram explaining his rather unusual “problem” with Indian food.His problem? He likes it way too much.“I have a problem with Indian food. It has literally ruined all other cuisines for me,” Nathanson says at the start of the video.And he wasn’t exactly complaining.Nathanson said he first discovered Indian food around five years ago, and the experience completely changed the way he looked at food.“It’s like the heavens opened,” he joked, describing the experience as if he had suddenly been shown a whole new world of flavours.Since then, he’s developed a list of Indian favourites, starting with one of the country’s most popular street foods: pani puri.He described pani puri as little “flavour bombs” that explode in your mouth. He also singled out chicken vindaloo, which he compared to a “lightning strike of deliciousness,” and praised gobi Manchurian.But his biggest joke was saved for the difference he sees between Indian food and some Western dishes.“Now you expect me to get excited because you put a little rosemary on your chicken breast?” he joked.According to Nathanson, Indian food can throw dozens of spices into one dish, while other cuisines might proudly present something with garlic aioli.“Oh, does it, Linda?” he quipped.His love for Indian food has apparently changed more than just his taste buds.Nathanson said he used to be a “hardcore carnivore,” but Indian cuisine has made him much more willing to order vegetarian food.“My palate is literally changed forever,” he said.He then delivered his verdict to other cuisines: “Do better.”For Indian food, his message was much kinder: “Keep doing your delicious you.”
Viewers want him to visit India
The video quickly caught the attention of Indian food lovers, many of whom told Nathanson that he hasn’t really experienced Indian food until he has tried it in India.One viewer joked that if the American version of pani puri had already impressed him this much, he might become a permanent resident once he tried the real thing in India.Others pointed out just how much variety Indian cuisine has to offer.“You never get bored because you have so many options in Indian cuisine,” one person commented, adding that Indian menus offer far more than just a couple of pages of choices.Another viewer kept it short and funny: “Once you go brown, the other colours let you down.”Someone else simply thanked Nathanson for appreciating Indian food.And judging by his reaction, it doesn’t sound like he plans on going back anytime soon.For Nathanson, discovering Indian cuisine wasn’t just about finding a few dishes he liked. It changed what he expected from food altogether.Now, there’s only one obvious next step.Someone needs to get this man to India.
