Introduction
Train ka safar sirf seat number aur speed ka kissa nahi hota — asli thrill hota hai railway platform pe milne wale khaneka. Jab train rukti hai kisi station par sirf 5–10 minute ke liye, tab platform se aati ek khushboo — woh moment sabse yaadgar hota hai.
Indian Railways ne desh ko joda hi nahi, taste ka bhi network bana diya. Kuch local dishes toh itni popular ho gayi ki wo station ke naam ke saath hi jaani jaati hain.
Aaj ke blog mein jaante hain un iconic railway foods ke baare mein jinke liye log train ka route tak change karne ko ready ho jaate hain.
1. Ratlam ka Sev – Crunch That Travels
State: Madhya Pradesh
Station: Ratlam Junction
Yellow crunchy sev ka khazana. Train rukti hai, ek hawker aata hai: “Sev le lo, Ratlami sev!”
Masaledar, lajawab aur addictive. Itna popular ki log parcel tak karwa lete hain.
Pro tip: Ratlami sev + bun = best travel sandwich.
2. Vijayawada Idli – Softest Idlis on Any Track
State: Andhra Pradesh
Station: Vijayawada Junction
Early morning south India route? Vijayawada par milegi piping hot ghee idli, leaf mein wrap ki gayi, aur chutney ke saath serve.
Kya khaas hai?
Ek dum cloud-soft idli, buttery ghee ka aroma, aur minimal packaging. Train mein bhi kha sakte ho bina mess ke.
3. Itarsi ke Poha – Breakfast Classic
State: Madhya Pradesh
Station: Itarsi Junction
Subah-subah safar ho toh Itarsi ka poha mandatory hai. Patle flakes, peanuts, bhujia topping, aur halka nimbu.
Kyun famous hua?
Sasta, swadisht, aur travel-friendly. Har 6 baje ki train mein ye crowd favourite dish hai.
4. Tundla Chai – Sookhi Chai Ka Swad
State: Uttar Pradesh
Station: Tundla Junction
“Chaaaiiiiii… Tundla special chaiiii!” – ye awaaz har tea lover ko jaadu ki tarah kheench leti hai.
Kullhad mein garam masala chai, thodi kadvi, thodi desi. Station par utarne ka asli reason yahi hota hai.
5. Howrah ka Luchi-Alur Dom – Bengal in a Bite
State: West Bengal
Station: Howrah Junction
Garam-garam luchi (deep-fried poori) + thick spicy potato curry.
Breakfast ya dinner, dono time full satisfaction deta hai. Bengali train travellers ka comfort food.
6. Cuttack’s Dahi Bara Aloo Dum – Odisha’s Pride
State: Odisha
Station: Cuttack
Dahi-vada jaisa nahi, yeh Odisha-style dahi bara hota hai jo spicy aloo dum aur ghugni (chana curry) ke saath serve hota hai.
Specialty: Taste mix of tangy curd + hot curry = complete food harmony.
7. Jabalpur’s Sabudana Vada – Fasting Friendly, Always Crispy
State: Madhya Pradesh
Station: Jabalpur Junction
Sabudana vada jo train platform pe milta hai, woh Mumbai wale vada se crispy aur travel-friendly hota hai.
Ek plate, teen vada, chutney ke saath. Fasting food bhi, foodie food bhi.
8. Nagpur’s Orange Barfi – Dessert with a Zing
State: Maharashtra
Station: Nagpur Junction
Nagpur = Orange city, aur usi se inspired hai yeh citrus-flavored barfi. Sweet shops par har train passenger ke haath mein yeh hi dabba hota hai.
Kyun famous hai?
Light, sweet, aur shelf-life achhi. Gift aur travel dono ke liye best.
9. Ernakulam’s Pazham Pori – Banana Fritter Like No Other
State: Kerala
Station: Ernakulam Junction
Banana fritter jo Kerala ki shaam ka hero hota hai. Train ke window ke paas hota hai frying ka scene, aur ek aur banana snack tayyar.
Khaas kya hai?
Natural sweetness, crispy coating, aur train ke motion ke saath match karta texture.
10. Bhusawal’s Kachori – Train Delay ka Asli Advantage
State: Maharashtra
Station: Bhusawal Junction
Agar train yahan delay ho jaaye, toh bura nahi lagta — because kachori aur chatni combo milta hai. Thick crust, spicy filling, aur green chutney – ek masaledar stop.
Why Railway Foods Hit Different?
- Short time, high flavor: 5-min halt = lifetime taste
- Local vendors, local ingredients: No branding, sirf swaad
- Stories behind every dish: Platform #2 ki chai, or coach ke gate pe sev seller
- Zero packaging, full satisfaction: Paper plate, leaf bowl ya sirf haath se serve
The Food Tourism Trend – People Changing Routes for Flavour
- Poha ke liye early morning train lete hain
- Only Tundla route select karte hain chai ke liye
- Cuttack ka bara-dum combo ke liye Odisha stop mandatory karte hain
Indian Railways ab taste map bhi ban gaya hai — foodies ke liye new destination planning ka base.
Conclusion
Indian railway food koi random coincidence nahi hai — yeh ek taste tradition hai jo har traveler ke memory mein hota hai.
Next time jab train mein ho, try mat bhoolna:
- Local hawker ki awaaz
- Platform ki signature dish
- Aur woh swaad jo kisi menu card mein nahi likha hota
Yeh flavours sirf stomach nahi, heart aur nostalgia dono bhar dete hain
