5 Essential Indian Food Packets Every Student Moving Abroad Must Pack

Moving abroad for university is an incredible adventure, but let’s be honest: after three days of bland sandwiches and pasta, your soul starts craving the comfort of home.

The challenge? Between heavy textbooks and winter jackets, luggage space is limited. You need food that is lightweight, long-lasting, and actually tastes like your mother’s kitchen—not a lab experiment.

At Dalhouse, we’ve perfected the art of slow-cooked, preservative-free meals that fit right into your suitcase. Here are the 5 must-have food packets to survive your first month overseas.

1. The "11-Hour" Slow Cooked Dal Makhani

There is Dal Makhani, and then there is Dalhouse Koyla Dal Makhani. Simmered for 11 hours using 100% Amul butter and no oil, this is the ultimate comfort food for a rainy night in London or a cold evening in Toronto.

• Why it’s a winner: It’s dehydrated, so it weighs almost nothing in your bag but rehydrates to a full, creamy portion in minutes.

2. Amritsari Rajma (The Hug in a Packet)

Nothing beats Rajma Chawal on a Sunday. Our Amritsari Rajma uses authentic spices and charcoal-infusion to give you that smoky, "dhaba" flavor that is impossible to find at a foreign university canteen.

3. Chandni Chowk Ke Chole

If you’re craving street food, this is your fix. These chickpeas are spicy, tangy, and pair perfectly with bread or rice. It’s the easiest way to host an "Indian Night" for your new international friends!

4. Jain-Friendly Options (No Onion, No Garlic)

For students with strict dietary preferences, finding Jain food abroad is nearly impossible. We offer a dedicated Jain Ready-to-Eat Range that ensures you don't have to compromise on your values or your taste buds while studying.

5. Instant Poha & Upma for 8 AM Classes

When you’re running late for a lecture, you don't have time to cook. Our Indori Poha and Madras Upma only require hot water. They are healthy, filling, and much better for your brain than sugary cereal.