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Travelling in trains is a memorable experience. You can enjoy the journey while eating your favourite food and enjoying the scenery through the train window. One of the newest editions of fast-speed trains by the Indian Railways, Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, was launched on 19 January 2026. The Vande Bharat Sleeper operating on the route of Howrah-Kamakhya has a menu that puts local dishes from Bengal and Assam under one roof. It is India's significant step towards modernising the railways in the country and introducing high-speed trains with a core focus on food as well.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
What’s On The Menu?
When asked how the menu came to be and why the menu breaks into two proper menus, Pardeep Siwach, Deputy General Manager, Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, explains, “Our vision is to offer comfort combined with regional delicacies that depict the unique culture of Northeast India. While curating the menu, we paid attention to these factors. We made two distinctive vegetarian menu options, one that reflects the culinary traditions of West Bengal and the other was inspired by Assam’s regional flavours.” During their overnight journey, passengers are treated to a pleasant variety, taking in not just one but two genuine regional experiences. Every dish is made with locally grown herbs from neighbouring farms, providing a nutritious, easily digested supper that is ideal for both tired and daring travellers.
The Flavours & Quality Of Onboard Food
He goes on to express how they aspire to deliver quality. They want to set an example by making sure the food is authentic, tasty and most importantly, hygienic. Additionally, by getting a luxury hospitality brand on board, they will set a new benchmark for quality, hygiene, and sourcing, and promote the F&B sector to make train food more than just an experience, so that it is lived and enjoyed thoroughly.
Classics like Basanti pulao, cholar and moong dal, chanar and dhokar preparations, Assamese joha rice, mati mohor and masoor dali, seasonal vegetable bhajis, and traditional desserts like sandesh, narikol burfi, and rasgulla are all on the menu, adding a rich cultural flavour to the trip. While maintaining the authenticity of regional culinary customs, the emphasis is still on healthy vegetarian meals that are convenient and cosy for long-distance travel.
Taste That Travels
The foundation of the experience is made up of seasonal food, slow-cooked preparations, mild spice profiles, and traditional sweets, which guarantee that meals are both flavourful and convenient for travellers. Mr Siwach voices, “This partnership is all about setting new hospitality records on Indian Railways’ premium services. It unveils opportunities for stronger collaboration between hospitality brands and transportation services, where food becomes the main key differentiator in augmenting valuable travel experiences.”
Image Credit: Mayfair Spring Valley Resort
The goal is to make each meal an unforgettable highlight of the trip itself by assisting travellers in experiencing local culture, ingredients, and the backstories of the cuisine. The first long-distance overnight Vande Bharat service in India is the Howrah to Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper, which travels about 1,000 kilometres. With a total capacity of about 823 passengers, the train has sixteen air-conditioned sleeping coaches, including First AC, AC two-tier, and AC three-tier. The service's goals are to increase train access to the Northeast, shorten travel times, and improve comfort.
