Netizens ‘Sizzle Over’ Viral Video Of Man Cooking Omelette In Intense Odisha Heat [Watch]

Bhubaneswar: Amid the soaring temperatures in Odisha last week, a viral video, showing a man cooking an omelette using nothing but direct sunlight on a terrace in Sambalpur, has set the internet ablaze, sparking a mix of amusement, awe, and healthy skepticism.

The video, which has quickly gained traction across various online platforms, highlights the extreme weather conditions in the region, where temperatures have recently breached the 44°C mark.

Cooking Under the Sun

The footage was originally shared on Instagram by the food blogging account @life.is.foodie_ with the straightforward caption: “Sambalpur At 44 degrees”.

In the clip, a man stands on his terrace during the peak afternoon heat. To demonstrate the intensity of the sun, he places a frying pan under the open sky, pours oil onto it, and gestures toward the blazing sun. He then whisks two eggs in a glass and pours the mixture into the pan. Within seconds, the edges of the omelette appear to fluff up and cook, overlaid with the text “Odisha ki garmi” (Odisha’s heat).

While the video was meant to showcase the brutal summer climate, it quickly turned into a hot topic of debate regarding whether ambient solar heat alone can actually cook food so rapidly.

Internet Reacts

The comment sections across social media platforms quickly fractured into two camps: those feeling the heat, and those crying foul. Many users immediately questioned the physics behind the rapid cooking time. “Tell me honestly is it not a preheated tawa [pan]?” one user questioned. Another echoed the sentiment, writing, “I think the pan was already heated [on a stove] before making the omelette”.

While Odisha bakes, others reported drastically different weather elsewhere. One user quipped, “Meanwhile in Assam we need blankets at night.”

Some saw a brilliant workaround for rising utility bills, joking, “Gas shortage ka solution mil gaya” (Found the solution to the gas shortage) and calling it a “Good use of solar energy.”

Others focused on the chef’s well-being rather than the eggs. “Omelette is okay, I was thinking you might get fried,” a comment read. Another user from a neighbouring state chimed in, “Kolkata mein omelette overcooked ho jaata” (In Kolkata, the omelette would have been overcooked).

While the authenticity of the “solar omelette” remains a point of contention online, the harsh reality of the weather is undeniable. Regions across Odisha, including Sambalpur, have been consistently registering extreme temperatures well above 40°C, prompting local authorities to issue heatwave warnings and advise citizens to stay indoors during peak hours.