Is it genius or sacrilege? That's the question taking over South Asian Instagram and TikTok right now. The trend? Taking a soft, cream-filled bun (a modern twist on the classic Bun Maska) and dunking the entire thing into a piping hot cup of chai.

We had to try it. The verdict? It's a messy, indulgent, and surprisingly comforting experience. The hot chai melts the cream just enough to create a sweet, milky coating on the bun, while the tea itself gets a rich, creamy kick. It's not for the faint of heart (or the clean of shirt), but for a winter treat, it’s a game-changer.

Move over, brioche buns. The latest burger craze hailing from Dubai uses crispy, flaky lacha parathas as the vessel for a juicy, smashed patty. It’s the ultimate fusion comfort food: greasy, crunchy, and packed with flavor.

This "Veggie Smash Burger" version is incredibly easy to make at home using frozen parathas. Just pan-fry the parathas until golden and crispy, smash your favorite veggie patty on a hot griddle, top with cheese, and assemble with a spicy chutney or sauce. It's the perfect low-effort, high-reward meal for a chilly December evening.

Looking for a festive drink that's a little more grown-up than punch? Try the "Ruby Fizz." This trending holiday cocktail is essentially a festive shandy, mixing your favorite lager with tart pomegranate juice. The result is a beautiful, jewel-toned drink that's bubbly, refreshing, and not too sweet. Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary for a drink that looks as good as it tastes.

Let us know if you try any of these trends! Hit reply and tell us what you thought, we just love hearing from you

Stay warm, The Weekly Chai Team

*The trend known as "The Great Chai Maska Dunk," which involves dunking a cream-filled bun (a modern take on the classic bun maska) into hot chai, appears to have originated and gained initial viral traction in Dubai around mid-May 2025. It was frequently referred to as the "viral Dubai malai bread and kara chai trend" or "Malai Chai Toast" in early social media posts, where users highlighted dunking the creamy bun for a messy, indulgent experience. By late May, reels and posts described it as the "trend of 2025" in the UAE, with childhood nostalgia fueling its spread on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The trend then expanded beyond the UAE, reaching regions like Kerala in India by November 2025, where it surged in popularity, drawing crowds to local spots and being dubbed "suddenly everywhere" as a desi breakfast combo. Social media users in Kerala and elsewhere began calling it "viral" around this time, with adaptations like full bun dunks gaining traction amid winter vibes. Earlier mentions of bun maska with chai exist (e.g., dipping rather than full dunking in 2024), but the specific viral dunking format didn't explode until 2025.

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