Matcha in a kulhad? Lucknow street vendor’s desi version breaks the internet

A Lucknow street vendor’s ‘garam matcha chai’ served in a kulhad has left the internet amused and divided. Would you try it? (Pic credit: ayanahmad99_/ instagram)

• Lucknow vendor gives Japanese matcha tea a desi street-style makeover
• Viral video of hot matcha in kulhad sparks humorous online reactions
• India's street food culture puts a local twist on global matcha trends

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Have you ever tried matcha the desi way? A street vendor in Lucknow has, and the internet is completely hooked.

A video that is currently going viral shows a local vendor ditching traditional matcha-making rules and giving the Japanese green tea a full Indian street-style makeover. There is no minimalist setup, no ceramic bowls, and no quiet café ambience. Instead, this version of matcha is loud, frothy, and unmistakably desi.

In the clip, a large brass vessel filled with bright green matcha bubbles away like a kadhai of roadside chai. The vendor stirs the drink using a long steel ladle as steam rises dramatically, instantly grabbing viewers’ attention. The familiar sight of street-side tea preparation, paired with an unexpected ingredient, makes the video both amusing and intriguing.

What truly seals the deal is how the drink is served. The frothy green liquid is poured straight into a kulhad — the clay cup commonly seen at Indian tea stalls. Matcha, usually associated with curated cafés and aesthetic Instagram posts, suddenly looks unapologetically local.

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Internet Reacts With Humour

The video’s overlay reads, “Matcha ke Chacha” and “Garmatcha, exclusively in Lucknow,” setting the tone for the reactions that followed.

Social media users were divided — and delighted.

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One user wrote, “Matcha crying in the corner. Another joked, “Chicken tikka ki chatni hai yeh.” Someone commented, “Ghar ghar matcha yojna.”

A user added, “I know someone somewhere in India is thinking about making matcha pani puri too.”

Others were more sceptical. “Chemical lag raha hai,” one remarked, while another wrote, “Matcha is not supposed to be boiled like this.” Some creatively dubbed it “Kulhad chai,” suggesting that netizens were doing half the marketing themselves.

Matcha in Unexpected Places

This isn’t the first time matcha has surprised social media users.

Earlier, a video of a content creator preparing matcha mid-flight had gone viral. Seated in an economy class seat, she asked a flight attendant for hot water, pulled out her matcha powder and whisk, and made the drink onboard. The clip drew widespread admiration online.

Matcha’s Indian Makeover

Matcha has been trending online for months now. Made from finely ground, shade-grown Camellia sinensis tea leaves, the vibrant green beverage is usually whisked into hot water or milk to create a frothy, earthy drink.

However, in India, matcha rarely remains untouched by local creativity. From matcha cheesecake and matcha dosa to matcha biryani, the beverage has seen several experimental avatars.

The latest addition is “garam matcha chai” from Lucknow.

The viral video was shared by Lucknow-based food blogger Ayan Ahmad, who introduces the drink by saying, “Yahape Lucknow main matcha launch huyi hai. Layiye dijiyega dekhiye try kare.” (A new type of matcha has been launched here in Lucknow. Let’s try it.)

True to his words, the vendor prepares the drink in a large brass vessel, similar to traditional chai-making methods, and serves it piping hot in a kulhad — a rare sight for matcha lovers.

The humorous overlay once again reads, “Matcha ke Chacha – Garmatcha, exclusively in Lucknow.”

Also Read: Why Bihari cuisine is emerging as India’s next big food obsession

Netizens Can’t Get Enough

The clip has struck a chord with food lovers and meme-makers alike.

“RIP matcha,” wrote one user. “Matcha is crying in the corner,” commented another. “I am stunned,” said a third. Meanwhile, a chai lover was reminded of “cutting matcha.”

Whether it’s innovation or sacrilege, one thing is clear — India’s street food culture has once again found a way to put its own spin on a global trend, and the internet is loving every bit of it.