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.
