As I settled into my window seat on the plane leaving Bangalore, I’ll admit I had low expectations for the airplane food.
When the flight attendant delivered my pre-ordered vegan meal, I was immediately struck by the vibrant colours and mouth watering aromas wafting up from the tray. The main course consisted of a fluffy fried rice paired with a rich, creamy coconut-based gravy. And scattered generously throughout the dish were the sweetest, juiciest cherry tomatoes I think I’ve ever tasted.
I took my first bite cautiously, but was instantly won over. The fried rice had such a lovely light and airy texture, with just the right amount of savoury seasoning. And that coconut gravy – it was downright decadent, yet still felt nourishing and satisfying. But it was those little pops of fresh tomato that really elevated the whole dish, adding such a bright, acidic note to balance out the creaminess.
I’ll admit, I was so engrossed in savouring every last morsel that I almost forgot about the dessert. But when I finally turned my attention to the soft, moist banana cake, I was equally impressed. The natural sweetness of the ripe bananas shone through, without being overpowering. The texture was wonderfully spongy, though I did find it to be a tad too rich and indulgent for my liking. I ended up just taking a few bites and saving the rest for later.
To accompany my meal, the airline had provided me with a Paper Boat drink – a popular Indian brand of flavoured beverages. While the refreshing fruity flavours were pleasant, I found the overall sweetness level to be a bit too much for my taste. I took just a small sip and opted for some water instead.
As the flight quickly passed, I couldn’t help but feel impressed by the stellar vegan options the airline had provided. It’s so great to see more and more carriers making an effort to cater to diverse dietary needs. The fried rice and coconut gravy were undoubtedly the highlights for me – I would have been thrilled to have a second helping. And even the banana cake, while a touch too indulgent, was a delightful treat.
I’m already looking forward to my next flight, curious to see what other vegan delights the airline has in store. Stay tuned for more of my airplane food adventures!