The Journey of Railway Food in India Travelled from Steel Tiffins to Smartphone Orders

Travel by train in India has always been an incredible experience, sometimes adventurous, sometimes peaceful and mostly full of joy. Whether it is the views outside the window or the shared conversations inside the coach, every journey carries a bit of charm. But there has always been one shared concern for most passengers and that is obviously what to eat on the train.

Years ago, food in trains meant bringing home-cooked meals or grabbing a quick bite at a station. Hygiene was uncertain and choices were limited. Almost every station had the same old menu and food items. But things have changed. Today, passengers can order fresh and delicious meals right from their phone while sitting on their seats. The journey of railway food has come a long way and it is worth looking at how far we have come.

Back Then: The Age of Homemade Meals

In earlier times, passengers would prepare for long journeys by packing food from home. Puris, parathas, theplas, pickles, and snacks were all carefully wrapped and placed into steel tiffins with love. There were no other choices. Whatever you packed is what you ate and if you didnt eat it on time, it went bad or stale.

At stations, there were a few food vendors. Some sold chai and samosas, while others offered boiled eggs or bread pakoras. People were cautious and preferred their own food over what was available on platforms.

Pantry Cars Bring Change

Later, Indian Railways introduced pantry cars. Meals were cooked inside the train and served to passengers. This seemed like a big improvement at the time. Passengers got hot meals without getting off the train.

But the food was often average. It lacked variety. The quality was different from train to train. People started asking for better food and more control over what they were served.

A New Phase: The Rise of Station Vendors

IRCTC eventually took charge of catering services. More vendors began selling food at stations. Thalis, biryanis, and combo meals became common. This was a better option for many travelers. Still, there were problems. You had to get off the train to buy food. It was rushed and often stressful. Some trains stopped for only a few minutes. If the vendor was far or the line was long, people had to choose between food and the fear of being left behind.

The Digital Turn: How Railway Food Order in Train Became Easy

The biggest change came with smartphones and internet access. Travelers could now use apps and websites to place orders from restaurants. One such service is RajbhogKhana. It made the process simple and smooth.

Passengers enter their PNR number, choose a meal from the menu, and pick a station where they want the food delivered. They pay online or choose cash on delivery. The food arrives right at their seat, fresh and neatly packed. This is what railway food order in train looks like today.

The Present: App-Based Food Delivery on Trains

Ordering food in trains has become a normal part of travel. People no longer worry about what they will eat. They plan their meals the same way they plan their tickets.

Rajbhog Khana has made a name for itself as one of the best apps to order food in train. It works with top-rated restaurants across the country. The food is clean, made fresh, and delivered on time. Whether you want a North Indian thali, a South Indian dosa, a Jain meal, or just snacks and chai, you can find it all with a few taps on your phone.

What Makes It Better

Ordering food through an app has many advantages. It saves time. You don’t need to get off the train. The food is more hygienic, fresh and there are more options to choose from. You can even track your order live and contact customer support if needed.

This is a big improvement for families with kids, senior citizens, and solo travelers. It adds comfort to the journey and brings peace of mind.

Looking Ahead

People don’t just want food on trains anymore. They want it fresh, clean, maybe even packed in something that won’t harm the planet. Some services are actually trying that by switching to better packaging, cutting down on waste. Others are thinking ahead for frequent travellers who don’t want to scroll through menus every single time. Slowly but surely, things are getting better. Not perfect yet, but definitely better than a few years ago.

Wrapping Up the Journey

Train travel has changed in quiet but meaningful ways. There was a time when people had to rely on food packed from home or hope to find something appropriate at a station. Now, ordering a proper meal is as simple as using your phone. Passengers can choose what they want, place the order, and have it brought right to their seat. It’s made the journey a little easier, and honestly, a lot more enjoyable.

If you are looking for the best app to order food in train, Rajbhog Khana is a name you can trust. It brings comfort, taste, and convenience to your journey. So next time you hear the train whistle, you can look forward to more than just the destination. You can also look forward to a good meal.