When Sridhar Vembu, the co‑founder of Zoho Corporation and a Padma Shri recipient, confessed that he had never tasted Mumbai’s iconic vada pav—until this week—the internet took notice. Valued at over ₹50,000 crore on Forbes’ India rich list, Vembu’s admission that it took him until now to sample the humble potato fritter sandwich served as a reminder that even the world’s wealthiest can miss life’s simplest pleasures.
A Billionaire Meets His Match in Street Food
On Thursday, Vembu shared a candid moment from a roadside stall in Mumbai, clutching a steaming vada pav in one hand and his phone in the other. “Enjoying vada pav in Mumbai. First time in life. How did I miss it all this while?” he quipped on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Dressed casually, he appeared every bit the curious newcomer, eyes alight as he prepared to take his first bite of the “Indian burger.”
This isn’t just any snack: a soft, butter‑toasted pav cradles a golden, gram‑flour‑coated potato fritter, punctuated by daring swipes of fiery garlic chutney, cooling green chutney, and tangy tamarind sauce. For many Mumbaikars, vada pav is more than street food—it’s a cultural institution, a badge of local identity.
Following in the Footsteps of Other Titans
Vembu’s late‑blooming vada pav romance places him in illustrious company. Apple CEO Tim Cook famously joined Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit for a late‑night vada pav after inaugurating Apple’s BKC store. Paytm tycoon Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been photographed savoring the snack with Dr. Shriram Nene at the same famed Swati Snacks in South Mumbai. Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani admits to a weekly pilgrimage to the eatery whenever he’s in town, proving that even boardroom battles pause for the city’s favorite fritter.
These high‑profile endorsements shine a spotlight on vada pav’s universal appeal. Whether you’re closing multi‑billion‑dollar deals or writing code that powers cloud apps, the mingling of spice, crunch, and carb hits a universal sweet spot.
Beyond the Bite: A Lesson in Humility
For Vembu—who swapped a Silicon Valley upbringing for life in rural Tamil Nadu to personally oversee Zoho’s organic growth—this ₹20 treat speaks to his ethos of grounded success. His decision to sample vada pav at a modest stall rather than an upscale restaurant underscores a lifelong habit: embracing authenticity over ostentation.
By openly marveling at a snack that costs less than 0.00004 percent of his net worth, Vembu reminds us that wealth need not fence us off from everyday joys. In an era of ever‑bigger headlines, sometimes the tastiest story is simply someone discovering a beloved local delight for the first time.
As Sridhar Vembu savors his vada pav, Mumbaikars and food lovers everywhere celebrate a humble triumph—proof that no matter how high you climb, you can always come back down to earth… one ₹20 bite at a time.
A Billionaire Meets His Match in Street Food
On Thursday, Vembu shared a candid moment from a roadside stall in Mumbai, clutching a steaming vada pav in one hand and his phone in the other. “Enjoying vada pav in Mumbai. First time in life. How did I miss it all this while?” he quipped on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Dressed casually, he appeared every bit the curious newcomer, eyes alight as he prepared to take his first bite of the “Indian burger.”
This isn’t just any snack: a soft, butter‑toasted pav cradles a golden, gram‑flour‑coated potato fritter, punctuated by daring swipes of fiery garlic chutney, cooling green chutney, and tangy tamarind sauce. For many Mumbaikars, vada pav is more than street food—it’s a cultural institution, a badge of local identity.
Enjoying vada pav in Mumbai. First time in life. How did I miss it all this while 😁 pic.twitter.com/m72XJwljB7
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) April 24, 2025
Following in the Footsteps of Other Titans
Vembu’s late‑blooming vada pav romance places him in illustrious company. Apple CEO Tim Cook famously joined Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit for a late‑night vada pav after inaugurating Apple’s BKC store. Paytm tycoon Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been photographed savoring the snack with Dr. Shriram Nene at the same famed Swati Snacks in South Mumbai. Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani admits to a weekly pilgrimage to the eatery whenever he’s in town, proving that even boardroom battles pause for the city’s favorite fritter.
These high‑profile endorsements shine a spotlight on vada pav’s universal appeal. Whether you’re closing multi‑billion‑dollar deals or writing code that powers cloud apps, the mingling of spice, crunch, and carb hits a universal sweet spot.
Can’t think of a better welcome to Mumbai than Vada Pav! pic.twitter.com/ZA7TuDfUrv
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) April 17, 2023
Our Vada Pav moment at #swatisnacks @vssx @vishygo. The company was what made the experience. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SUX8c3knjR
— Dr. Shriram Nene (@DoctorNene) April 30, 2023
Beyond the Bite: A Lesson in Humility
For Vembu—who swapped a Silicon Valley upbringing for life in rural Tamil Nadu to personally oversee Zoho’s organic growth—this ₹20 treat speaks to his ethos of grounded success. His decision to sample vada pav at a modest stall rather than an upscale restaurant underscores a lifelong habit: embracing authenticity over ostentation.
By openly marveling at a snack that costs less than 0.00004 percent of his net worth, Vembu reminds us that wealth need not fence us off from everyday joys. In an era of ever‑bigger headlines, sometimes the tastiest story is simply someone discovering a beloved local delight for the first time.
As Sridhar Vembu savors his vada pav, Mumbaikars and food lovers everywhere celebrate a humble triumph—proof that no matter how high you climb, you can always come back down to earth… one ₹20 bite at a time.
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