How can a tourist order a dabbawala lunch?

How can a tourist order a dabbawala lunch? - Side view of anonymous male traveler with can of beverage admiring ocean from rough rocks under shiny sky in evening

I've recently learned about an amazing traditional lunch delivery service in Mumbai:

The dabbawalas constitute a lunchbox delivery and return system that delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work in India, especially in Mumbai. The lunchboxes are picked up in the late morning, delivered predominantly using bicycles and railway trains, and returned empty in the afternoon. They are also used by meal suppliers in Mumbai, who pay them to ferry lunchboxes with ready-cooked meals from central kitchens to customers and back.

Is it possible for a tourist to order a dabbawala lunch?






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How much do dabbawalas charge?

But inflation has taken its toll, and the 'dabba' is now set to cost \u20b9100 more a month. Currently monthly charges range from \u20b9600 to \u20b91,000, depending on the distance and the time taken. The hike in charges will take effect this month, said the Mumbai Dabbawala Association.

How does the Indian lunch box system work?

At each station, boxes are handed over to a local dabbawala, who delivers them. The empty boxes are collected after lunch or the next day and sent back to the respective houses. The dabbawalas also allow for delivery requests through SMS.

How does the dabbawala day begin?

The dabbawalas originated when India was under the British rule. Since many British people who came to India did not like the local food, a service was set up to bring lunch to their offices straight from their homes.

Are dabbawalas only in Mumbai?

\u201cThere's only one Mumbai dabbawala.\u201d It's hard to argue. The organisation runs its low-cost service at a very high level of performance. A 2010 study by the Harvard Business School graded it \u201cSix Sigma\u201d, which means the dabbawalas make fewer than 3.4 mistakes per million transactions.



Dabbawalas: How India's 130-year-old food delivery system works




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Rachel Claire, Nguyễn Khanh, Matheus Bertelli, Tim Samuel