Indian Food for Train Travel, Homemade Food for Train Travel, What to Pack? 

Long hour train journeys can be tiring but, fun too. You meet new people, share a few moments of your life, spend hours watching the moving landscape. The never-ending banter of food vendors walking up and down the aisle, hawkers selling toys, locks, inflatable pillows. While some Indian train stations are popular for their regional special foods like Jhaalmuri from Howrah Junction, Kolkata , Poha from Ratlam Junction, Madhya Pradesh.

Not many are fans of Railway food and prefer carrying food from home on the journey. Be it for yourself or fussy kids, food is an important aspect while travelling for a holiday with family. For some, it is a necessity - they might not eat outside due to religious reasons, or health concerns. For others, food is fun! A few hours or days without proper food takes a toll on them. This article will help you solve your food dilemmas while travelling.

While you are travelling from Mumbai to Pune, you will often come across with enthusiastic chikki sellers trying to make some sale. “Chikki, Lonavala chikki” is what they say and spread a wide range of chikkis like peanut, rajgira, dry fruit chikki, til chikki, in front of you.

Peanut Chikki

This crispy chikkis are very easy to prepare and can be stored for a longer period of time in airtight containers. I personally feel no meal is complete without a dessert . A number of Indian sweets like Ladoos, Barfi, Golpapdi and Katli are perfect for travel since they are dry and packed full with flavor.

golpapdi recipe | Gujarati gol papdi | gur papdi | sukhdi |

Fluffy, soft dhoklas can also be your favorite travel food. Just like idli, they are steamed and healthy. Also, you can make a wide range of dhoklas using different dals and flours. A dash of tempering with aromatic ingredient enhances the taste. Serve them with dry garlic chutney or ghee/oil.

dry garlic chutney recipe | sukha lehsun chutney | vada pav chutney | Maharashtrian style dry garlic chutney |

Indian Travel Food Dry Snacks Recipes

“Chai garam, garma garam, Coffee coffee” is something that will surely wake you up early in the morning while sleeping. Snacks like Khakhra, Namak para, butter murruku, methi puri will add sparkle to a cup of tea or coffee!

methi puri recipe | kadak puri | methi poori | crispy Indian Jar Snack |

Dry snacks like sev murmura can be perked up with kala channa or moong tossed in garlic. Also, you can spice them up with mixed sprouts, crunchy veggies, crispy nuts and spice powders to make Mixed Sprouts Bhel. Keep in mind that the dry snacks will stay fresh for longer than a week.

sev murmura recipe | sev kurmura | sev mamra | spicy puffed rice | masala puffed rice |

Indian Travel Food Idli / Dosa / Upma Recipes

Rice is a staple food in Southern India. Apart from having Rasam bhaat and Sambhar bhaat for a meal, they love tossing rice in aromatic ingredients and create delectable dishes like Lemon rice and tamarind rice (Puliyodare). Idli, Dosa and vada are loved not only in the South but, all over India equally. 

Lemon Rice Recipe ( Microwave)

Even the remotest railway stations in South India has vendors carrying bamboo baskets loaded with idlis wrapped in banana leaves. A few rupees in your pocket will easily fetch you a wholesome meal of idlis dunked in a spoonful of til oil or ghee mixed with Milagai Podi (Gun powder). Being fermented and steamed, idli is considered to be nutritious and safe. While idli is normally served with chutney and sambhar, while travelling it is.

milagai podi recipe | malgapodi powder | South Indian gun powder |

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customary to serve with dry chutney powders as one does not have to worry about leakage or spoilage. Ask any elderly women in Southern India how to make ‘travel dosa’ and they will share the secret with you. Unlike the thin, crisp dosas, while travelling ensure that you make them a little thicker and cook generously with oil, ghee or butter so they stay moist for a longer period of time. Cool them completely and wrap in banana leaves (or aluminium foil if you can’t get leaves), and store in an airtight container. Enjoy the dosas with dry chutney powders, or with tomato or onion pickle. Light dishes like upma also makes a great travel food. When preparing upma for travel, it is important to use oodles of oil to avoid turning it into a lump. Also, while packing if you feel it is turning lumpy then add melted oil/ghee and break them using the back of a spoon. Enjoy these soft foods with a side of crispy Yellow banana wafers.

Indian Travel Food Paratha Recipes

Apart from methi thepla, dashmi roti, sindhi koki and parathas which have a good shelf life, Maharashtrian speciality masala puri with aloo sabzi, dried coconut-garlic chutney or peanut chutney makes a wholesome meal. Also, pyaaz ke paratha, sattu ke parathe pairs amazing with litti and pickle. However, you have to be careful while packing them. Firstly, you need to cool them completely because if they are packed hot, they will release water and become mushy. Wrap the parathas in an aluminium foil and then pack them in an airtight container. Now, your dabba full of taste, joy and goodness is all set to go into your bag. Dry subzis like Masaledar Arbi, Aloo Fry , Tava Paneer, Mushroom and Green Pea Sabzi can be cooked and packed. They are not only delicious but, also satisfying.

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Indian Travel Food Sandwiches Recipes

You can never fail with the good old sandwiches and wraps. Stuff them with anything and you are ready to roll. The only problem is they do not stay firm for a longer period of time so, you have to carry the bread/roti separately and then stuff them with a mixture to avoid sogginess. From regular cheese sandwich, chutney sandwich, jam bread to lip-smacking Cheesy Corn and Carrot Sandwich, Cream Cheese Sandwich, wrapped in aluminium foil and stored in an airtight container stays fresh for 4 to 5 hours.

Chutney Sandwich, Green Chutney Sandwich Roadside Recipe

We have given you a selection of recipes in this article, but you can find many more choices on our website. Happy cooking!

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