Does Vande Bharat Have A Pantry? Here’s How Hot Meals Are Served Onboard The Train

Last Updated:September 29, 2025, 14:36 IST

Vande Bharat serves hot meals without a full pantry car — but how? The answer lies in a clever system most passengers don’t know about

A mini-pantry is a small service area within certain coaches of Vande Bharat that is equipped with essential appliances like a hot case, bottle cooler, deep freezer, and a hot water boiler. (News18)

Many people enjoy travelling by train, but when it comes to the Vande Bharat Express, the experience is often described as extraordinary. With speeds that exceed those of the Rajdhani and Shatabdi, it’s no wonder the Vande Bharat is known as a semi-high-speed train.

The journey becomes even more enjoyable when hot meals are served on board. However, some passengers may wonder whether these trains have a pantry car, and if not, how warm food and snacks are provided. Let’s take a closer look.

Serving Hot Meals Without A Pantry Car

Currently, over 75 Vande Bharat trains operate across India, covering nearly every state. These trains come in three configurations: 8-coach, 16-coach, and 20-coach variants, depending on passenger demand.

Routes with higher footfall are typically served by longer trains, while less busy routes use shorter ones.

So, do these trains have full pantries? Not exactly. The Vande Bharat Express does not feature a traditional pantry car, but it does include mini-pantries in select coaches. These compact pantries support food service across the entire train.

What Is A Mini-Pantry?

A mini-pantry is a small service area within certain coaches. It’s equipped with essential appliances such as a hot case, bottle cooler, deep freezer, and a hot water boiler. These facilities are used to warm and serve meals, tea, coffee, and snacks to passengers.

Where Is The Food Actually Prepared?

Meals are cooked in advance at IRCTC base kitchens, not on board. The food is then loaded onto the train at a nearby station along its route. Since there is a delay between preparation and service, meals often cool down slightly.

The mini-pantries ensure that food is properly reheated before being served.

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