Internet calls this luxury dish ‘Caviar Pani Puri’; viral video sparks reactions

A short clip from a luxury dining experience in Copenhagen is circulating widely on social media after viewers noticed similarities between one fine dining dish and a familiar Indian street food. The video has sparked reactions online, with many users comparing the item to pani puri.

Viral video from Michelin-star restaurant Alchemist

The video was shared on Instagram by a food vlogger account (@highspeeddining) while documenting a tasting experience at Alchemist, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen. The clip features several opening dishes served as part of a multi-course tasting menu.

Among the dishes shown, one item drew the most attention online.

“Smoky Ball” becomes the focus of discussion

The dish is called the “Smoky Ball”. It appears as a small, crisp, hollow preparation, which many social media users said resembled pani puri because of its shape and structure.

However, the ingredients differ significantly from the Indian snack. According to the video, the dish contains sturgeon caviar, langoustine tartare, and almond cream. Flavoured smoke is also injected into the shell as part of the presentation.

Following the clip’s circulation, several users began referring to it as “Caviar Pani Puri” in the comments section.

Other items shown in the tasting experience

The video also featured other dishes served during the opening part of the meal.

One was a cocktail inspired by Denmark’s national flower, the marguerite daisy. It was described as being based on a tangerine pisco sour with citrus flavours.

Another item shown was the “Sunburnt Bikini”, described as a reinterpretation of a ham and cheese sandwich from Barcelona. The version shown uses flash-frozen mochi dough filled with Joselito Iberian ham and melted Gruyère cheese.

Social media reactions

After the clip gained traction online, users shared a range of reactions, most focusing on the resemblance between the “Smoky Ball” and pani puri.

Some comments included:

“Michelin star Pani Puri.”

“We got Caviar Pani Puri before GTA 6.”

“Pani puri. In India, that costs 50 cents.”

“That ball not having a liquid inside is blasphemy.”

The comments added to a broader discussion around how familiar foods are interpreted in fine dining settings.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly shared social media content. The Times of India has not independently verified all claims shown in the viral video. Comments quoted reflect opinions expressed by users online.Thumb image: Instagram