Chai
What is cutting chai?
Cutting chai is a half-sized glass of strong, sweet milk tea, the small pour that powers Mumbai’s tea stalls, offices and railway platforms.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Cutting means
Half a glass
Origin
Mumbai
Style
Strong and sweet
Pair with
Vada pav
01
Why it is called “cutting”
The word is a shorthand for cutting a full serving in half. A regular glass of tea is split into two small ones, so a cutting chai is half of a regular order.
It is most closely associated with Mumbai, where small, quick, inexpensive cups suit a city that is always in a hurry. The phrase is now understood across India.
02
Why half a glass makes sense
A small serving is cheaper, quicker to drink and easy to share. Colleagues step out for a cutting chai together, and a single pot can serve several people in minutes.
It also means you can have another. People rarely stop at one, and a half measure turns tea into a social unit, not just a drink.
03
What is in it
There is no strict recipe. Cutting chai is typically strong, milky and fairly sweet, often with ginger or cardamom. The word describes the size of the serving, not the ingredients, so it can be made masala style or kadak style.
04
What to eat with it
In Mumbai the classic partner is vada pav, a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun. Other favourites are plain buns, biscuits and any hot fried snack.
The pairing works because the tea is strong and sweet, while the snack is salty, spicy and rich. Each makes the other taste better.
05
Cutting chai in Ottawa
Tapri Chai does not list a half-size on its menu, but the spirit is the same: a bold, milky cup next to something to bite into. Our Kadak Chai is $4.49, and Vada Pav is $5.49 at our cafe in Barrhaven.
Questions, answered.
What does “cutting” mean in cutting chai?
It means a half serving. A normal glass of tea is divided into two smaller glasses, and each is called a cutting chai.
Where did cutting chai come from?
It is most associated with Mumbai, where small, quick cups of tea are sold at stalls, offices and stations.
Is cutting chai stronger than regular chai?
It is usually made strong and sweet, but the term refers to the size of the serving, not the strength.
What is the difference between cutting chai and kadak chai?
Cutting describes a half-sized cup, while kadak describes a strong brew. A cutting chai can be kadak, and a kadak chai can be served in a full cup.
Does Tapri Chai serve cutting chai?
Tapri Chai’s menu lists Kadak Chai ($4.49) and Kashmiri Chai ($4.99) rather than a half-size cutting chai. The cafe is in Barrhaven, Ottawa.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.