In a refreshing upgrade for rail travellers, the menu on Kerala-based Vande Bharat Express trains has been revamped to include a wide array of regional delicacies. The change follows the termination of a previous catering contract over quality concerns; the new menu is being rolled out by caterers onboard trains like the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Central and Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod services.
Passengers will now find local dishes such as Thalassery veg biryani, Varutharacha chicken curry, Kerala-style chicken roast, Nadan kozhi curry, and snacks like sharkara upperi, unniyappam, garam pakoda, and ullivada. These additions are aimed at providing a taste of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage.
Breakfast options remain familiar, with idlis, appams, idiyappam and upma, along with kadala curry, egg curry and veg cutlets, but main meal and snack selections have been significantly enhanced to reflect local tastes.
Committed to improving passenger experience, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) introduced the menu change after the Southern Railway cancelled its contract with the earlier caterer following repeated complaints and a health department inspection revealing sub-standard food. The new caterers, Sankalp Recreation Pvt Ltd and AS Sales Corporation, have been onboarded to serve the Vande Bharat trains operating in the region.
While passengers welcomed the “welcome move,” many emphasised the importance of consistent food quality, with some suggesting practical tweaks such as offering 500 ml bottled water instead of 1 litre to reduce waste.
Overall, the menu overhaul is a step toward making rail travel in Kerala more comfortable, culturally immersive and aligned with regional preferences—one meal at a time.
