How Chennai city went from tiffin carriers to food apps
Chennai's food culture has shifted from traditional home-cooked meals in tiffin carriers to a modern landscape dominated by restaurants and food-delivery apps. Long-time residents reflect on the city's culinary evolution from the 1960s to the present day.
Why it matters
The piece documents the cultural transformation of urban life and the impact of technology on traditional domestic habits.
There was a time when a stainless-steel tiffin carrier packed with home-cooked food was an essential part of everyday life in Chennai. Today, that familiar sight is slowly disappearing, replaced by neighbourhood eateries, restaurants, cafés, food-delivery apps and subscription kitchens.
When writer Sivasankari, 82, looks back at Madras of the 1960s and 1970s, she vividly remembers the city’s desserts and ice creams. “Gaylord on Anna Salai, close to my office, and Jaffers, also on Anna Salai, were known for their ice creams, which were of international standard. Peach melba at Jaffers was my all-time favourite.”
Sundal vendors on the sands of Marina. | Photo Credit: File photo
Corporate lunch in a Bento box, at Mekong restaurant, Marigold. | Photo Credit: SANGEETHA DEVI DUNDOO
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