A TASTE OF HOME THE RISE OF REGIONAL CUISINE POP-UPS ACROSS INDIA

There's a quiet revolution happening in the Indian food scene-not on TV shows or five-star menus, but in intimate gatherings, weekend pop-ups, and chef-led home-style feasts that take you straight back to your roots.

- By Armaan Malhotra

These aren't your typical restaurant events or buffet spreads. These are personal, often invitation-only experiences, where regional Indian cuisine takes center stage-not just the butter chickens and biryanis of the world, but the forgotten recipes, the community dishes, the "ghar ka khaana" that once stayed tucked away in our grandmothers' kitchens.

From Konkani Saraswat thalis in Goa to Naga smoked pork pop-ups in Mumbai, and Bihari or Kodava meals served in intimate home settings in Delhi or Bangalore, food lovers are leaning into their heritage-and they're inviting the rest of the country to join the table.

THE SHIFT FROM RESTAURANT TO EXPERIENCE

For years, fine-dining in India was dominated by global cuisines or overly stylised versions of North Indian classics. But diners today are no longer just looking for good food-they want a story, an experience, a memory on a plate.

Enter: the regional cuisine pop-up-often hosted by passionate home cooks, community chefs, or professionals who've taken off the chef coat to return to their roots. These events are deeply personal. The food served often comes from family recipes passed down through generations, each dish carrying the weight of memory, celebration, and community.