Idlis, undoubtedly, hold the top spot when it comes to our favourite South Indian cuisine. These white and fluffy rice cakes are light to eat and are food for the soul for many of us. While steaming hot idlis alone offers a scrumptious taste, some coconut chutney and hot sambar are what add to the pleasure of relishing them. Now, from where did you have your last plate of idlis? The answer is most likely to be a South Indian food joint or an idli cart. But what if we tell you that in Bengaluru there is a vending machine that serves fresh and hot idlis. If you are fascinated to hear that then you are not alone. Industrialist Anand Mahindra is also on this list. He has shared a video of the vending machine on Twitter.

In the clip, a woman first scans a QR code to access the menu on her mobile phone and chooses Idli and vada. After the payment is completed, the machine starts preparing the idlis, which can be seen through a glass panel. The freshly made idlis are then packed in a container before being sent to the collection window. It is also seen that the machine displays information about the process including the estimated time for preparing the idlis.

Impressed by the innovation, the Mahindra Group Chairman wrote, “So many have attempted to create robotic food prep/vending machines. Presume this meets FSSAI standards and the ingredients are refreshed adequately? How is the taste, Bengaluru folks? I’d love to see this pop up in airports/malls globally. Will be a major ‘cultural’ export!”

So many have attempted to create robotic food prep/vending machines. Presume this meets FSSAI standards & the ingredients are refreshed adequately? How is the taste, Bengaluru folks? I’d love to see this pop up in airports/malls globally. Will be a major ‘cultural’ export! pic.twitter.com/C8SjR6HwPK— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 16, 2022

Many users have lauded the idea behind the idli vending machine.

“That would be a great idea to spread it globally not just culturally but also commercially. would be blessing for lot of vegan /vegetarian globe trotters in addition,” a user wrote.

that would be great idea to spread it globally not just culturally but also commercially. would be blessing for lot of vegan /vegetarian globe trotters in addition.— Vaibhav (@imvbhav) October 16, 2022

Another reacted, “This is unbelievable. Customers also have the options to carry away or stand there and eat ? Great stuff!”

This is unbelievable. Customers also have the options to carry away or stand there and eat ? Great stuff!— Francisco Menezes (@Franc73859462) October 16, 2022

For some, they preferred the home-cooked idlis or those sold on carts rather than dispensed by a fancy vending machine.

The real taste of food only comes when someone personally serve it. It is of no use taking the idlis like this way. This might look very hygienic and cool but the inner satisfaction may die soon.— Mehul Goel (Chawanni) (@Mehul_Clickers) October 16, 2022

This one too was of the same opinion.

NOTHING beats the hand made and fresh ones even doled out by someone on a bicycle – this is good as a conept but won’t fly even in Indian corporates – Europe and USA maybe— ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@RajneeshAiyer) October 16, 2022

“I had still love to eat from a apna cycle wala idli guy, with typical very authentic fresh idli served with a smile,” a person wrote.

I had still love to eat from a apna cycle wala idli guy, with typical very authentic fresh idli served with a SMILE— Rajiv Mahajan (@RajivMa40809163) October 17, 2022

So, how do you like the idea?