Lucknow garam matcha chai has become the latest viral food trend to take over social media. A street vendor in the city is serving hot matcha tea — not in a fancy café cup — but in a traditional kulhad, giving the Japanese beverage a completely desi makeover.
The unusual fusion has sparked massive online attention, with food lovers and critics sharing mixed reactions across Instagram and X.
What Is Matcha and Why Is It Trending?
Matcha has dominated online food trends over the past few months. Originating in Japan, the beverage is made from finely ground powder of shade-grown Camellia sinensis tea leaves.
Traditionally, matcha is whisked with hot water or milk to create a frothy, earthy-flavoured drink. Its vibrant green colour, antioxidant benefits, and aesthetic appeal have made it extremely popular among younger audiences worldwide.
In India, however, global food trends rarely remain untouched — and matcha is no exception.
The Viral Video That Started the Buzz
The viral video was shared by Lucknow-based food blogger Ayan Ahmad, who documented the unique preparation at a local roadside stall.
In the clip, the vlogger can be heard saying:
“A new type of matcha has been launched here in Lucknow. Let’s try it.”
What follows instantly grabs attention.
Instead of a café-style setup, the vendor prepares the drink in a large brass vessel, much like traditional roadside chai. The bright green liquid bubbles gently as curious onlookers gather around.
A Desi Twist: Matcha Served in a Kulhad
The biggest surprise comes during the serving.
Rather than pouring the drink into a glass or ceramic cup, the vendor serves the piping-hot matcha in a kulhad, the earthen cup traditionally used for Indian tea.
This unexpected fusion of Japanese tea culture and North Indian street-food aesthetics has become the highlight of the video.
The overlay text on the reel humorously reads:
“Matcha ke Chacha – Garmatcha, exclusively in Lucknow.”
The line alone has helped push the video into viral territory.
Internet Reactions: Love It or Hate It?
As expected, social media users are sharply divided.
While some viewers praised the creativity, others found the combination difficult to digest.
Comments ranged from:
- “India never disappoints with jugaad”
- “Kulhad matcha was not on my 2026 bingo card”
Others joked that matcha in India is undergoing an “identity crisis,” especially after earlier trends like matcha dosa, matcha biryani, and matcha cheesecake.
Despite mixed opinions, one thing is certain — the video has people talking.
Why India Keeps Reinventing Global Food Trends
From momos to pasta and now matcha, Indian street food culture has always embraced experimentation.
Local vendors often adapt international dishes using:
- Traditional utensils
- Regional serving styles
- Familiar flavours
This fusion approach not only makes global foods more accessible but also helps them go viral faster online.
Lucknow’s garam matcha chai is simply the newest example of how international trends meet Indian creativity.
Why This Video Is Going Viral
The clip is trending for several reasons:
- Unexpected fusion of cultures
- Visual contrast of green matcha and earthy kulhad
- Humorous caption and local tone
- Street-food authenticity
- Strong curiosity factor
Food content that surprises viewers often performs exceptionally well on short-video platforms — and this one checks every box.