The world of flavorful street food met the world of mind-bending science in an extraordinary collaboration between globally renowned YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober and India’s favorite food and travel content platform, Curly Tales. As part of his whirlwind tour across India, Mark Rober took a delicious detour into the heart of Mumbai’s culinary scene with Curly Tales—an experience that combined India’s beloved street snacks with surprising science facts, storytelling, and cultural exchange.
This collaboration is part of Mark Rober’s broader Indian visit, linked to the Jugaad Contest 2025—his latest initiative encouraging Indian inventors and innovators to showcase their creativity using everyday items. As the face behind the viral glitter bomb series, squirrel obstacle courses, and the CrunchLabs STEM initiative, Rober’s influence goes far beyond entertainment. And now, India is getting a front-row seat to that energy.
In a new episode hosted by Curly Tales’ charismatic founder and face, Kamiya Jani, Mark embarked on a flavorful journey through Mumbai’s most iconic street foods. From crispy samosas to spicy pav bhaji, Rober tried it all, all while explaining scientific principles behind cooking, flavor fusion, and even the physics of crunch. The show didn’t just focus on taste but also touched on India’s unique concept of “Jugaad”—a frugal, ingenious approach to problem-solving that aligns with Rober’s mission of spreading STEM learning through practical, hands-on experiences.
“This is my first time eating a samosa and understanding why it’s shaped like a triangle—it’s engineering and flavor packed in one,” Rober remarked during the episode. “And the level of creativity I’ve seen here is off the charts. India’s culture of Jugaad might just be the most brilliant form of applied science I’ve ever encountered.”
The Curly Tales team designed the food trail to blend India’s local flavors with the ethos of experimentation. As they moved from bustling stalls to hole-in-the-wall gems, the conversations became richer—diving into Rober’s career at NASA, the origin story of CrunchLabs, and his mission to ignite scientific curiosity in children and adults alike.
Mark’s visit to India isn’t just for content—it’s about connection. The Jugaad Contest 2025, which runs from April 30 to September 15, invites inventors of all ages across India to submit videos of their most clever innovations using household items. Winners—ten in total—will receive ₹5 lakh each, and their work will be featured on Mark’s platforms. The contest is open to individuals aged 8 and above, and all entries must include the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad and be submitted via markroberjugaad.com.
In this episode with Curly Tales, Rober not only gave Indian cuisine his stamp of approval but also used the moment to praise the spirit of India’s creators. “India is a country of 1.4 billion problem-solvers. I’m here not just to taste the food but to meet the minds that can build the next big thing—with whatever’s in their kitchen drawer,” he said.
This is one of several high-profile collaborations Rober has lined up during his stay. Already, he’s teamed up with CarryMinati, Slaypoint, and Techburner, while a special collab with cricketer Hardik Pandya is also underway. However, the Curly Tales partnership stands out for its intersection of food, fun, and function. By exploring the streets of Mumbai, Rober gained more than a taste for Indian cuisine—he connected with the soul of everyday innovation.
With over 68 million subscribers on YouTube and millions more across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, Mark Rober’s influence is colossal. His partnership with Curly Tales—boasting one of India’s strongest social media footprints in the food and travel niche—is a powerful step toward building his presence in India. And judging by the online buzz surrounding the episode’s teaser, this content is set to spark a frenzy of views, shares, and inspired inventions.
In true Curly Tales fashion, the episode wraps with a heartwarming exchange of culture, laughter, and insight. “From samosas to STEM,” Kamiya says in the closing segment, “we’ve realized that science tastes even better when it’s sprinkled with Indian spice.”
For more details about the Jugaad Contest 2025, visit https://www.markroberjugaad.com. To catch the full food journey, watch Curly Tales’ latest episode featuring Mark Rober on their YouTube channel and social platforms.
