Railway Station Snacks You Didn’t Know Were Famous: The Food Scene At India’s Iconic Platforms | Food

Samosas, Laddoos & Fluffy Idlis: The Station Foods That Made Our Train Journeys Magical

There’s something inexplicably nostalgic about Indian train journeys. Not just the clackety rhythm of the wheels, the hawkers yelling “chai-chaaai!”, or the sudden gush of wind when the train rushes past fields — it’s the food. The platform food. Long before apps could deliver pizza to your train seat or IRCTC began offering thalis, it was the magic of these hyperlocal snacks that made pit stops so memorable. Ask any Indian who grew up in the pre-digital era, and they’ll recall journeys that began with poori-aloo packed from home and an unspoken excitement about what delicacy would arrive with the next station.

Here’s a look at India’s railway food map — one that’s lesser-known, deliciously diverse, and filled with stories.

1. Kalka Junction, Himachal Pradesh – Kulfi That Defies Altitude

Perched at the foothills of the Himalayas, Kalka Junction is not just a gateway to Shimla via the toy train — it’s also where you’ll find one of the creamiest kulfis in the country. Forget branded ice cream. The desi kulfi here, served on a stick and wrapped in a recycled paper, is a cooling delight after a warm train ride. Sold by local vendors from wooden carts, Kalka’s kulfi is mildly sweet, rich with malai, and often speckled with crushed pistachios. Even today, older passengers are known to nudge younger ones awake just in time for this frosty indulgence.

2. Vijayawada Junction, Andhra Pradesh – Steamed to Perfection Idlis

If there’s one sound you can associate with early morning trains pulling into Vijayawada, it’s the hiss of steam from a fresh batch of idlis. Served with a fiery podi (gunpowder) and ghee, and often accompanied by coconut chutney in a small leaf bowl, these idlis are soft, fluffy, and absolutely soul-filling. Most vendors use steel canisters to keep them warm — a technique as old as the station itself. Vijayawada’s idlis are not a mere snack; they’re a breakfast ritual.

3. Unnao Station, Uttar Pradesh – Samosas with a Cult Following

For most North Indian travellers on the Lucknow-Kanpur line, Unnao means one thing: samosas. Unlike the typical triangular kind, Unnao’s samosas are bulkier, crisper, and filled with spicy mashed potato that somehow tastes better on that platform than anywhere else. Vendors often carry baskets lined with cloth, keeping the samosas warm and crunchy. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a side of tangy green chutney in a newspaper cone. Some passengers have even been known to skip lunch after a hearty Unnao snack stop.

4. Amla Junction, Madhya Pradesh – Laddoos You’ll Regret Not Buying

Tucked away in Betul district, Amla station is not flashy. But it has its own sweet legacy — besan laddoos. These aren’t your average festival laddoos. Hand-rolled with generous amounts of ghee and cardamom, they’re sold by an old local family that’s been at it for decades. Soft yet grainy, these laddoos melt in your mouth and are known to survive long journeys — if you can resist eating them all in one go.

5. Itarsi Junction, Madhya Pradesh – Poha for the Soul

A major railway junction, Itarsi is where many routes meet, and so do many appetites. But what rules here is poha. The lightly sautéed beaten rice with mustard seeds, curry leaves, peanuts, and a squeeze of lemon is sold in newspaper cones by vendors pacing the platforms. A few vendors even throw in sev and pomegranate for that extra kick. Itarsi’s poha is perfect for those who want something light but flavourful while waiting for their next train.

6. Jabalpur Station, Madhya Pradesh – Biryani With a Twist

While Hyderabad or Lucknow may be better known for their biryanis, Jabalpur has quietly built its reputation with a local variant — a mix of spiced rice and tangy gravy, often sold in foil containers with a boiled egg perched on top. Locals swear it’s neither pulao nor classic biryani — it’s something in-between, and wholly satisfying. For many passengers, Jabalpur’s biryani becomes the reason to stay awake for that 3 a.m. halt.

7. Ajmer Junction, Rajasthan – Kadhi Kachori for the Win

Kadhi with kachori might sound like a monsoon lunch combo, but at Ajmer station, it’s a beloved platform snack. Vendors serve piping hot, crispy kachoris dunked in tangy, yoghurt-based kadhi. It’s messy, addictive, and nearly impossible to eat elegantly on a moving train. But for regulars, this chaos is the charm. Some travellers even plan their train tickets to ensure a stopover at Ajmer — just for that one glorious mouthful.

8. Howrah Station, Kolkata – Mughlai Paratha and Chai by the Tracks

At one of India’s busiest stations, it’s easy to miss the small food stalls tucked between platforms. But those in the know head straight to the vendors selling Mughlai parathas — flaky, stuffed flatbreads filled with spiced minced meat or eggs, served with a side of tangy sauce. Pair it with the famous sugary Kolkata-style tea in a kulhad, and you’ve got yourself a snack fit for the last leg of your journey.

9. Madurai Junction, Tamil Nadu – Jigarthanda and South Indian Sandwiches

This southern stop isn’t just about temples — it’s a paradise for the parched and the peckish. Madurai station serves up chilled jigarthanda, a sweet milk-based beverage thickened with almond gum and topped with ice cream. It cools you from the inside out. Alongside, you’ll often find stalls selling South Indian-style sandwiches — tomato chutney smeared over bread, grilled over charcoal, and spiced just right.

A Tiffin Box Full of Memories

For many of us, train journeys weren’t complete without mum’s home-packed poori-aloo, wrapped in foil or an old newspaper, and a small steel box of achaar. We’d sit by the window, legs swinging under the berth, waiting to reach Jhansi for peda, or Nagpur for orange barfi. Each station wasn’t just a dot on the map — it was a culinary checkpoint.

In an age of Swiggy deliveries and luxury lounges, something beautifully chaotic and authentic is slipping away. But these legendary railway snacks still hold their ground, thanks to loyal fans and hardworking vendors who know that a well-fed traveller is a happy one.

Fun Facts That’ll Make You Hungry Again

• Indian Railways is the fourth-largest railway network in the world, and with over 7,000 stations, it offers more than just ticketed rides — it offers local flavours at every turn.

• The railway kulhad chai has made such a comeback that IRCTC reintroduced eco-friendly earthen cups after they were phased out.

• At some platforms like Vijayawada and Jabalpur, vendors have their own station passes and operate only during specific train timings — talk about scheduling snacks with precision!

Whether you’re travelling across states or just dreaming of the tracks from your desk, remember — India’s railway snacks are more than just meals. They’re edible postcards from places you may or may not visit, but which will always leave a taste behind.

Next time your train halts unexpectedly, don’t grumble. Step out, follow your nose, and bite into the story that station is waiting to tell.

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