Bun maska, translating to “bread and butter,” pairs a soft, sweet pav bun slathered with generous layers of creamy butter often fresh sometimes toasted on a tawa and dusted with sugar. It’s dunked into Irani chai, a robust brew of loose black tea simmered with milk, cardamom, and sweetened condensed milk for a velvety, spiced finish. This simple yet indulgent duo has swept Kozhikode’s streets, blending Mumbai’s café nostalgia with Kerala’s coastal vibe.
Historical Roots
Introduced by Zoroastrian Parsi immigrants from Iran in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Irani cafés in Mumbai and Pune popularized bun maska amid marble tables and bentwood chairs. These spots offered affordable comfort: crisp brun toast, mutton kebabs, and chai boiled in samovars for hours. The ritual of dipping buttery bun into hot chai created a sensory explosion, evolving from Persian “makhzan” (butter store) influences.
Viral Rise in Kerala and Kozhikode
Kerala’s obsession ignited in late 2025 via Kochi food vloggers like The Chai Couple, whose reels sparked roadside stalls and late-night queues statewide. In Kozhikode, beach crowds and students amplified the trend, turning it into a social media staple with #BunMaskaKozhikode. Prices hover at ₹30-50 per serving, drawing families for its nostalgia and dunking thrill amid sea breezes.
Must-Visit Spots in Kozhikode
Kozhikode Beach Stalls: Epicenter of the craze freshly buttered buns and steaming Irani chai under evening lights, with queues for the viral experience. Prices rose due to demand, but views make it unbeatable.
The Chai Walah (Methottuthazham/Velimadukunnu): Rated 4.1-4.2 from hundreds of reviews, serves strong Irani chai with pillowy maska buns near Palazhi Road. Ideal for quick, flavorful grabs.
The Coffee Cup: Captures tradition with soft, creamy maska and classic chai in a homey setup trending for its comforting combo.
Alfa Restaurant: Authentic Irani chai in a warm ambiance, paired with bun maska for a sit-down twist on street eats.
Cultural Impact in Kozhikode
Bun maska and Irani chai have woven into Kozhikode’s cultural fabric as a symbol of youthful rebellion and communal joy, transforming beachside evenings into Instagram-fueled rituals where students and families bond over ₹50 indulgences. This Parsi-Mumbai import now mirrors Calicut’s fusion soul blending Arab chai legacies with viral pop-up vibes boosting roadside vendors, inspiring local foodpreneurs, and cementing Kozhikode as Kerala’s street snack capital amid sea breezes and late-night queues.