India’s vast railway network, one of the largest in the world, serves millions of passengers daily. When it comes to train travel, food plays a pivotal role in ensuring a comfortable and pleasant journey. Whether you’re heading to a bustling city or a serene destination, food options on Indian trains range from basic snacks to gourmet meals. In this detailed article, we’ll explore some of the best food options available in various trains across India, covering popular trains, food quality, pricing, and how the food is sourced and served.
- Overview of Train Food in India
Train food in India varies based on the class of travel, train type, and route. From regional specialties to standard meals, train food has evolved over the years. Indian Railways has made significant improvements in the quality of food served on trains, partnering with various food delivery services, restaurants, and even private vendors to offer a wider selection of meals.
- Best Food in Premium Trains
Premium trains in India, such as the Vande Bharat Express, Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, and Duronto Express, offer some of the best food experiences, catering to the tastes of both domestic and international travelers. Here’s a closer look at the food offerings on some of these trains:
Rajdhani Express
The Rajdhani Express is one of the most iconic luxury trains in India, known for offering excellent food service. Meals are served on a complimentary basis, and passengers are provided with a range of dishes, from breakfast to dinner.
Breakfast: A typical Rajdhani Express breakfast might include items like parathas with curd, bread and butter, poha, or upma. South Indian dishes like idli, dosa, and vada are also commonly served.
Lunch/Dinner: The lunch or dinner menu offers a variety of dishes such as dal, rice, chapati, vegetable curry, and non-vegetarian options like chicken curry, fish, and mutton. Additionally, regional delicacies such as biryani or local thali are often included based on the route.
Dessert: Rajdhani Express also provides desserts such as kheer, gulab jamun, or fruit salad.
Price: Meals are included in the ticket price of Rajdhani Express, making it an excellent option for travelers looking for a complete dining experience.
Shatabdi Express
The Shatabdi Express is another fast and premium train, offering high-quality food to its passengers. Although it’s a shorter journey compared to the Rajdhani Express, the food served is still of a high standard.
Breakfast: A continental breakfast is provided, with options like bread, butter, jam, juice, and tea or coffee. South Indian dishes like upma, idli, or dosa are often served as well.
Lunch/Dinner: The menu features a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, including items like dal, chapati, vegetable curry, paneer dishes, and chicken or mutton curry. There are also occasional regional specialties depending on the route.
Dessert: Sweet dishes like gulab jamun or an assortment of seasonal fruits are offered to complement the meal.
Price: Like Rajdhani Express, meals on the Shatabdi Express are included in the ticket price, adding value for money.
Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s first semi-high-speed train, is known for offering a modern, luxurious travel experience, and the food served aboard matches this high standard.
Breakfast: The breakfast options on the Vande Bharat Express are rich and diverse, with items such as sandwiches, parathas, idli, and upma available. There is also an option for continental breakfast with bread, butter, and pastries.
Lunch/Dinner: The meal options in the Vande Bharat Express are multi-cuisine and include dishes like dal, rice, vegetables, and meat curries. Regional delicacies and gourmet offerings are also available, with an emphasis on healthy, wholesome meals.
Dessert: Fresh fruit salads, yogurt, or international desserts like mousse or pastries are commonly served.
Price: Meals are included in the ticket price, ensuring a complete dining experience.
Duronto Express
Duronto Express trains are known for their speed and long-distance routes. They offer a slightly more casual dining experience but still provide high-quality food options.
Breakfast: Options include parathas, idli, dosa, or poha, along with tea or coffee.
Lunch/Dinner: The lunch or dinner menu typically features a North or South Indian thali, dal, chapati, rice, and a selection of vegetables or meat dishes. There is often a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Dessert: Sweet dishes like kheer or seasonal fruit are provided.
Price: The food is usually included in the fare for long-distance travelers.
- Train Food in Regular Trains
While premium trains offer a higher standard of dining, regular trains like the Jan Shatabdi, Sampark Kranti, and other express services also serve good quality food, often sourced from reputed catering services.
Jan Shatabdi Express
The Jan Shatabdi Express is a popular choice for short to medium-distance travel, and food is served at affordable prices.
Breakfast: Passengers can expect simple options like bread, butter, tea, and sometimes South Indian snacks.
Lunch/Dinner: The menu typically includes a basic vegetarian meal with rice, dal, chapati, and vegetables. Non-vegetarian options like chicken curry may also be available.
Price: Food is reasonably priced, and passengers can either pre-book meals through IRCTC or buy snacks from the pantry car.
Sampark Kranti Express
The Sampark Kranti Express connects major cities and towns and serves a variety of food options on board.
Breakfast: Light snacks like biscuits, bread, tea, or fruit are commonly available.
Lunch/Dinner: The meals are typically simple, offering dal, chapati, rice, and vegetables. The non-vegetarian options include chicken curry or mutton.
Price: Meals are available for purchase from the pantry car, with a focus on affordable pricing.
- Regional Specialties
India is known for its diverse regional cuisines, and the food on Indian trains often reflects this diversity. Here’s a look at some regional specialties that can be found on specific trains:
Southern India: Trains like the Chennai-Mumbai Mail or the Bangalore-Kochi Express offer regional South Indian dishes such as idli, dosa, sambar, vada, and more.
Western India: The Gujarat Mail and trains traveling through Maharashtra often serve dishes like dhokla, khaman, puri bhaji, or pav bhaji.
North India: Trains like the Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi offer regional specialties such as aloo paratha, paneer tikka, and chole bhature.
Eastern India: The Howrah Express offers Bengali delicacies such as macher jhol (fish curry) and mishti doi (sweetened yogurt).
- Food Delivery Services on Trains
In recent years, food delivery services like IRCTC eCatering, Zomato, and Swiggy have revolutionized train food, especially on long journeys. These services allow passengers to order meals from local restaurants directly to their train seat.
IRCTC eCatering: This service allows passengers to order food from a wide variety of restaurants. The food is freshly prepared and delivered directly to the train, ensuring both quality and convenience.
Swiggy/Zomato: For select routes, these food delivery platforms allow passengers to pre-order meals. The food is sourced from partner restaurants and delivered to the train’s nearest station.
- How to Order Food on Trains
Ordering food on trains is easy with the growing number of online services. Here’s how passengers can order meals:
Through the IRCTC Website: You can pre-book meals for long-distance journeys on the official IRCTC website or mobile app.
Onboard Delivery: Once on the train, food can be ordered from the pantry car. Passengers can request food from the train staff or use the eCatering app to make their selections.
Using Food Delivery Apps: For select trains, passengers can also order food via Swiggy or Zomato. Meals are delivered to the station closest to the train.
Food in Indian trains has come a long way, and today, there are a multitude of options for every kind of traveler. From high-end dining experiences on premium trains like the Rajdhani and Vande Bharat Express to the simpler yet tasty meals on regional and express trains, there’s something for everyone. The addition of food delivery services has further enhanced the convenience of eating on trains, ensuring passengers enjoy fresh and flavorful meals throughout their journey.
Whether you’re craving regional specialties, a hearty thali, or a quick snack, train travel in India now offers a variety of food options that make your journey even more enjoyable.
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