The bustling streets of
Mumbai recently played host to an unexpected visitor—Mark Rober, the American
YouTuber, ex-NASA engineer, and the creator of some of the most viral science
experiments on the internet. But this time, instead of building squirrel mazes
or glitter bombs, Rober was on a different kind of mission: exploring the
flavors of India in a full-fledged taste test, guided by none other than Curly
Tales, India’s most popular food and travel content platform.
This flavorful
collaboration unfolded as part of Rober’s larger visit to India, linked to the Jugaad Contest 2025, a nation-wide
challenge aimed at recognizing ingenious Indian inventions created using
everyday items. The contest runs from April
30 to September 15, 2025, and ten winners will each take home ₹5 lakh for
their innovative contributions. But while the contest promotes creativity and
science, Mark’s taste test with Curly Tales focused on another form of
genius—India’s street food.
The episode featured
Mark Rober sampling some of Mumbai’s most iconic dishes, including vada pav,
pani puri, samosas, and masala dosa. Each bite came with commentary not only on
the flavor but also on the science behind it. Mark explained why the crunch of
a perfectly fried samosa is so satisfying, or how the layered structure of a
dosa creates the ideal textural contrast. Viewers were not only entertained but
educated, in true Mark Rober style.
“Indian food is like
science on a plate,” Rober commented mid-bite. “Every spice, every texture has
a purpose. It’s a sensory experiment—delicious and data-rich.”
Hosted by Curly Tales’
founder and digital sensation Kamiya Jani, the episode went beyond just food
tasting. It offered insights into India’s vibrant street culture, while also
spotlighting the larger purpose of Rober’s India trip: to tap into the spirit
of Jugaad—India’s globally admired
tradition of innovative thinking using limited resources. The taste test served
as a metaphor for Rober’s growing admiration for India’s ingenuity and hands-on
creativity.
“Mark’s reaction to each
dish was priceless,” said Kamiya. “But what really stood out was how he linked
every bite to a broader idea of innovation and curiosity. This was more than a
taste test—it was a celebration of Indian problem-solving, plated with spice
and served with a smile.”
As always, the entry to
the Jugaad Contest is simple but specific. Participants must post a video of
their unique invention made from household items on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or X with the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad and ensure their
profiles are public. Crucially, the entry must also be submitted through the
official website: www.markroberjugaad.com. Merely posting the video won’t count unless it's
officially registered on the contest page.
Mark Rober’s Indian trip
also includes collaborations with top Indian creators such as CarryMinati,
Slaypoint, and Techburner. A high-voltage collab with cricket superstar Hardik Pandya is also set to make
waves. However, his feature with Curly Tales stands out for its deeply cultural
approach, combining storytelling, science, and food—all in one flavorful
package.
The response to the
episode has been electric. Fans of both Curly Tales and Mark Rober flooded
social media with praise for the unique blend of Indian hospitality and
scientific curiosity. As one commenter wrote, “When food meets physics, the
result is pure entertainment.”
This special Curly Tales
feature is just one part of Rober’s push to grow his presence in India. Already
a global STEM icon, Rober’s CrunchLabs initiative—offering monthly
science-based subscription boxes—has empowered thousands of young minds across
the world. Now, with the Jugaad Contest and India-focused collaborations, he’s
bringing that spark to one of the most inventive nations on the planet.
For more updates, fans
can follow Mark Rober across his social channels, where he enjoys massive
followings: 68M subscribers on YouTube,
5.3M followers on Facebook, 3.7M on TikTok, and more. And don’t
miss this special food-filled episode on the Curly Tales YouTube channel, where curiosity meets cuisine.
To enter the Jugaad Contest 2025 and stand a chance
to win ₹5 lakh, visit www.markroberjugaad.com. Submissions close at 11:59 PM IST on September 15, 2025.
