Inside DaBox: Da Name, Da Flavour, Da Story You Need to Know

Crispy Chicken Gyozas

Every brand has a story, and this one began long before DaBox came into being. Before the food, the menus, and even the kitchen—it all started back in 2010, when the Indian Grand Prix first came to town.

A few friends and I volunteered at the event, and after long hours working, we were given vouchers to redeem for food and beverages. What we received were little white meal boxes—simple, but filled with a certain excitement.

The ritual was always the same: open the box, peek inside, and see what surprise was waiting. Sometimes it was great, sometimes just okay—but always, there was suspense.

We'd always gather, ask each other “Bro, what’s in the box?” and even trade items between us. Over time, those boxes became less about the food itself and more about the anticipation, the curiosity, and the joy of sharing. That phrase - "The Box” - stayed with me.

Fast forward a decade.

After spending about three years in Dubai working at Morimoto, a fine dining Asian restaurant, I found myself back in Chennai during the pandemic. Like many others in the industry, I was put on indefinite unpaid leave. What felt like a setback initially slowly gave me clarity. Maybe this was my moment to build something of my own.

I started small - cooking the food I wanted to eat, experimenting with flavours, and posting menus on Instagram. Orders went out from my home kitchen, and to keep things fresh, I rotated the menu weekly. New dishes, new flavours - each one driven by both creativity and what was available at the time.

When it came time to name this new venture, I went back to those little white boxes at the Grand Prix. The same question - “What’s in the box today?” - became the spirit of DaBox. That sense of discovery, surprise, and shared joy is what I wanted to recreate with every menu and every meal.

At DaBox, it isn’t just about what’s inside the box (though that matters a lot!). It’s about the joy of discovery, the excitement of trying something new, and the comfort of knowing it’s made with thought and care.

So the next time you open one of our boxes, know that you’re not just opening a meal - you’re stepping into a story that began years ago with a simple question:

“What’s in DaBox?”