In a significant move to elevate the passenger experience, Indian Railways has announced a major culinary overhaul for its flagship Vande Bharat Express trains. The national transporter, acting on a directive from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is now serving region-specific cuisines onboard, bringing authentic local flavours to the journey.
A Culinary Map of India on Rails
The initiative, executed through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has initially rolled out revised menus for 11 Vande Bharat Express trains. The plan is to progressively extend this facility to all other trains in the network. This decision comes as the semi-high-speed trains, developed by Chennai's Integral Coach Factory, continue to operate with impressive occupancy rates across their 164 Chair Car services.
The new menus are designed to offer passengers a taste of the regions they are travelling through or to. For instance, those aboard the Nagpur–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express (20101/20102) can now enjoy Maharashtra's classic breakfast dish, Kanda Poha, alongside Andhra specialties like Dondakaya Karam Podi Fry and Andhra Kodi Kura.
Dish-by-Dish: A Tour of New Offerings
The culinary refresh spans the length and breadth of the country. Gujarati travellers on the Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat (20901) can relish Methi Thepla, while the Sabarmati–Veraval service (26902) introduces Masala Lauki.
In the south, the Kasargod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat (20633/20634) offers a traditional Kerala feast. This includes white rice, Pachakka Cherupayar Mezhukku Perati, Kadala Curry, Kerala paratha, plain curd, the sweet delicacy Palada Payasam, and Appam.
Eastern routes have not been left out. The Howrah–Puri Vande Bharat Express (22895) now features Odisha's Aloo Phulkopi. Meanwhile, Bengali favourites like Murgir Jhol are being served on the New Jalpaiguri–Howrah route (22302), and Kosha Paneer on the Rourkela–Howrah train (20872).
Passengers on routes connected to Bihar can sample Champaran-style dishes, with Champaran Paneer on the Patna–Ranchi train (22349) and Champaran Chicken on the Patna–Howrah service (22348). The Jammu and Kashmir routes (trains 26401-04) showcase Dogri and Kashmiri cuisine with offerings like Ambal Kaddu, Jammu Chana Masala, Tomato Chaman, and Kesar Phirni.
Focus on Authentic Passenger Experience
This strategic shift from standardised railway food to curated regional menus marks a focused effort by Indian Railways to enhance service quality and passenger satisfaction. By integrating local culinary heritage into the travel experience, the Railways aims to make journeys on the Vande Bharat trains more memorable and culturally immersive.
The announcement, made in the third week of December 2025, underscores a broader vision to align India's most modern train service with the diverse cultural fabric of the nation it serves. As the rollout expands, more passengers can look forward to turning their rail travel into a unique gastronomic adventure.
