The Billionaire Who Swears by Maggi and Vada Pav — Meet Isha Ambani, The Real “Carbie Barbie”
If you thought billionaires only dined on caviar, truffle pasta, or calorie-counted quinoa bowls, Isha Ambani Piramal might just prove you wrong. The daughter of Mukesh and Nita Ambani-India’s most powerful business family-has a rather surprising weakness for carbs. Yes, glorious, comforting, unapologetic carbs. French fries, buttered toast, Maggi noodles, Vada Pav, and even a traditional Gujarati thali-that’s her kind of haute cuisine.
In a Vogue India outtake that had fans grinning, Isha cheerfully declared herself a “Carbie Barbie” — a moniker that perfectly captures her love for all things most diet plans forbid. “I like French fries, I like buttered toast, I like Vada Pav—anything that’s full of carbs,” she confessed, with the same enthusiasm most of us reserve for describing a long weekend.
Meet the “Carbie Barbie”
Let’s get one thing straight: Isha Ambani is not jumping on the keto bandwagon anytime soon. When Vogue asked her about her comfort foods, she practically glowed at the mention of carbs. Her list of favourite foods sounds like the stuff dream cheat-day plates are made of-a mountain of buttery, mashed potatoes, a plate of spicy Maggi noodles and those golden crispy French fries that can rescue any bad day.
But, of course, it’s much more than indulgence. For Isha, these foods speak volumes about nostalgia, warmth, and home. Her fondness for Gujarati food runs deep-think the soothing aroma of kadhi, the softness of puris, and the sweetness of mithai. The Ambani heiress might attend glittering soirées and board meetings, but when it comes to food, she’s delightfully down-to-earth.
Inside Isha Ambani’s Plate: A Billionaire With a Street Food Soul
The Gujarati Thali She Learnt to Cook Herself
One thing that Isha is most proud of is neither a billion-dollar deal nor a glittering red-carpet moment; it is something very personal and mouthwatering. When asked about one thing on her bucket list that she has ticked off, Isha says, “I always wanted to learn how to make my grandmom a Gujarati thali.”
Now, if you’re thinking of a modest serving of curry and rice, think again. A Gujarati thali is traditionally a resplendent carb fest — three to four sabzis, dal, sprouts, kadhi, beans, puri, roti, rice, chaas, papad and mithai. It’s a meal that converts lunch into a celebration. And yes, it’s as loaded with carbs as can be.
“I love a good thali but always wanted to learn how to do it from scratch. So I taught myself,” she says. There’s something quite endearing about that-a woman who could easily have the best chefs at her disposal, yet takes pride in learning the family recipes herself.
A Billionaire With a Street-Food Soul
Among her favorite foods sits one humble hero of Mumbai’s streets: the Vada Pav. Crunchy, spicy, and sandwiched between pillowy pav, it’s as far from fine dining as it gets. But for Isha, it is the taste of her city, her roots, and her comfort zone.
This love for local flavours makes her refreshingly relatable. While her wardrobe might be couture, her food preferences scream chaat counter over canapé platter. In a world obsessed with detox teas and intermittent fasting, Isha’s honest confession that she’s all for carbs feels almost revolutionary.
Fun Fact: Carbs Run in the Family
Now, it seems the Ambanis have always celebrated traditional and wholesome food in their house. In previous interviews, Nita Ambani has mentioned her love for homemade Indian meals and her fondness for Gujarati cuisine. It would appear Isha inherited not just her mother’s elegance but also her appetite for comfort food done right.
Why We Love Isha’s “Carbie Barbie” Confession
In a society that constantly glorifies dieting and ‘clean eating,’ Isha Ambani’s carb-love feels refreshing, even rebellious. She’s a reminder that food isn’t just about fuel — it’s about memory, joy, and indulgence. Whether it’s a bowl of Maggi noodles on a lazy afternoon or the art of perfecting a Gujarati thali, Isha embraces food the way it’s meant to be enjoyed — with love and without guilt.
Dining and Cooking