Black idlis, charcoal dosas for Rs 100. What are the ingredients of Nagpur cafe’s breakfast menu?

Dosa is one of those dishes that is simply irresistible. This classic South Indian delicacy is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, which can instantly win the hearts of foodies with its simplicity. Dosa is prepared from a fermented rice and lentil batter, consisting of a subtle tang that pairs exceptionally well with a steaming bowl of sambar and some thick, coconut chutney. What’s more, it comes with indulgent twists, be it a plain dosa, a buttery masala version tufted with spiced potatoes, with a contemporary spin like cheese or paneer.

Black coloured dosas, idlis go viral

But have you ever heard of dosas, which are black in colour? No, we are not kidding. There’s a cafe in Nagpur, Maharashtra, which specialises in serving charcoal-like black dosas and idlis. Recently, a food vlogger, Laksh Mulchandani, dropped a video on Instagram showcasing the preparation of this unique dosa recipe at Yello Cafe.

In the clip, the chef is seen ladling a jet-black batter onto a sizzling tawa. At first, the method appears similar to making a standard dosa. After that, the batter is spread across the surface gently in a thin circle before being allowed to cook briefly. Then, a portion of spiced potato filling is infused right in the middle. The rest of the steps display the usual routine. Once the crepe gets golden-brown and crispy, it is carefully folded and transferred to a plate. While the striking black and gritty colour grabs attention, the sides remain the usual. The chef serves the dosa with some warm sambar and fresh coconut chutney.

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A post shared by Laksh mulchandani (@sundazewithlaksh)

Social media users react to black dosas and ingredients required

The internet had a hard time watching this video. One user revealed that the dosa felt like it was made with drainage water. Another demanded justice for the beloved breakfast staple. A foodie warned not to ruin traditional recipes like this. AN individual jokingly mentioned that the dosa was prepared with bizarre ingredients such as dry cooking coal powder, oil paint, boiled rubber tyre syrup, and hair dye.


The cafe’s famous black dosa and idlis, however, are made with simple ingredients like coconut shell, orange peels, gunpowder and loads of ghee and hence the uncanny colour. As per the official website, both items are priced at Rs 100 each. Also, do you know that Bollywood actor Ashish Vidyarthi is a fan of Yello Cafe’s dosas and idlis? The 63-year-old has been visiting the eatery for many years now.