Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
The IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) menu provides an extensive selection of food choices to accommodate the varied tastes and preferences of passengers traveling on Indian Railways. As the official catering partner of Indian Railways, IRCTC is tasked with delivering hygienic, affordable, and high-quality meals to millions of passengers daily. The menu is crafted to feature regional flavors, dietary needs, and a combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, ensuring that travelers from various regions of India feel comfortable while on their journey.
IRCTC’s menu is organized according to the class of travel and the type of train. Premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto offer a more comprehensive and inclusive menu, often included in the ticket price. On these trains, passengers receive meals like breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages based on the time and length of the journey. The menu on these trains generally features items such as poori bhaji, upma, cutlet, bread with butter and jam, and tea or coffee for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, passengers can expect rice, dal, roti or paratha, a vegetable curry or non-vegetarian curry, curd, salad, pickle, and desserts like gulab jamun or ice cream.
In non-premium trains and general mail or express trains, passengers have the option to order food through IRCTC’s e-catering service. This service enables travelers to pre-order meals of their choice from a range of partner restaurants and food vendors, which are then delivered to their seats at specified stations. The e-catering menu is extensive and includes North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, Jain food, and even international options like pizzas and burgers. This flexibility allows passengers to tailor their meals according to personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and regional tastes.
The IRCTC menu features a variety of vegetarian food options, including dishes such as vegetable biryani, paneer butter masala, dal tadka, rajma chawal, idli sambar, dosa, poha, chole bhature, and thalis that provide a comprehensive meal experience. For those who prefer non-vegetarian options, the menu offers chicken curry, egg curry, chicken biryani, and fish curry, subject to availability and regional variations. Jain meals, which do not include root vegetables like onion, garlic, and potato, are also available and can be pre-ordered.
Snacks and beverages play a crucial role in the IRCTC menu. Commonly available items include samosas, pakoras, sandwiches, biscuits, soft drinks, mineral water, tea, and coffee, ensuring passengers have refreshments throughout their journey. Packaged food items are provided for better hygiene and are particularly suitable for shorter trips.
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IRCTC prioritizes hygiene and food safety. All meals are prepared in IRCTC-operated base kitchens and by authorized vendors under stringent supervision. Regular quality assessments are performed, and passenger feedback is taken seriously to uphold standards. Passengers have the option to rate their meals and submit complaints via the IRCTC website or app.
In recent years, IRCTC has launched special festival menus, diet-friendly options, and regional specialties to enrich the travel experience. These initiatives reflect a growing dedication to customer satisfaction and culinary variety. The IRCTC menu is continually evolving, providing enhanced choices, better service, and a more enjoyable dining experience on Indian Railways.
