chaiwalas

A chaiwala, from chai meaning tea and wala meaning seller, is a street vendor who prepares and sells chai. Chaiwalas typically operate from roadside stalls, pushcarts, or small makeshift cafés. They usually brew tea in large kettles, serving hot milk tea, often with spices (masala chai), to customers in disposable or metal tumblers. Snacks such as biscuits or samosas may accompany the tea.

Chaiwalas rely on high turnover and foot traffic, with peak hours in mornings and evenings. They are commonly found near train stations, markets, construction sites, office complexes, and bus stops. The business operates in the informal economy, with low barriers to entry and modest capital, often run as family enterprises. Licensing and municipal regulations vary by city and country.

Economically, chaiwalas provide affordable beverages and serve as social hubs in many neighborhoods. They employ workers directly and indirectly and can be a starting point for entrepreneurship in low-income communities. Culturally, the image of the chaiwala is widely recognized in South Asia and the diaspora, sometimes invoked in politics or media as a symbol of the common man.

Contemporary trends include concerns about hygiene and sugar consumption, competition from packaged tea brands and cafes, and the adoption of cashless payments and mobile ordering in some areas. Some chaiwalas have modernized with insulated thermoses, branded stalls, or partnerships with delivery apps, reflecting broader shifts in street vending and informal commerce.