Apache Flink Journey @Zomato: From Inception to Innovation

Burma Burma stands out as India’s only specialty Burmese restaurant and tea room offering a culinary experience inspired by the streets and homes of Burma (now Myanmar). Established by Ankit Gupta and Chirag Chhajer in 2014, the award-winning brand now owns 13 restaurants and delivery kitchens across Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, with more set to launch in the coming months.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="441" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=640%2C441&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14246" style="width:671px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=1024%2C705&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=768%2C529&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=1536%2C1057&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=1200%2C826&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?resize=1568%2C1079&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image5.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Co-founders of Burma Burma: Ankit Gupta (Left), Chirag Chhajer (Right)</figcaption></figure></div>


The ever-evolving menu at Burma Burma comprises dishes and beverages rooted in the rich culture of Burma. It consists of heirloom recipes of co-founder Ankit Gupta’s mother as well as dishes inspired by the extensive research trips conducted by Chef Ansab Khan and the research team of the brand over the years.



Creating a one-of-a-kind Burmese Culinary Experience in India



The brand is a result of two defining forces in Ankit’s life &#8211; his father’s lineage and the treasured family recipes from his mother’s heritage. His father and grandfather had long been in the restaurant business, shaping his understanding of food and hospitality. On the other hand, his mother’s Burmese roots filled their home with captivating flavours while Ankit was growing up.



He fondly recounts, “When guests visited our home, my mother would often prepare Burmese dishes like Khowsuey and Tea Leaf Salad. All my friends absolutely loved them and would be sure to request ma to make them everytime they came over!”



Recognising the uniqueness of the Burmese palate and the absence of any restaurant in India solely dedicated to this cuisine, he was inspired to create a space that showcases the rich culinary heritage of the region.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14248" style="width:656px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image4.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tea Leaf Salad at Burma Burma</figcaption></figure></div>


Equipped with the concept and design, he reached out to his childhood friend Chirag Chhajer, a food enthusiast and an avid traveler, to bring Burmese food to Indian tables.



Ankit says, “In 2014-15 when we had just started off, we noticed a visible shift towards single cuisine offerings across restaurants in India.” They leveraged this, to build a specialty dining experience that would ensure guests keep returning for the food.



Ankit and his team maintain a strong connection with the culinary landscape of Burma. Guided by their commitment to perfecting food concepts before introducing them to a wider audience, they ensure to visit Burma frequently. These visits enable them to capture the essence of the cuisine and curate an experience in India that blends the finest rural and urban flavours.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="525" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=640%2C525&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14252" style="width:630px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=1024%2C840&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=300%2C246&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=768%2C630&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=1536%2C1260&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=1200%2C984&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?resize=1568%2C1286&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?w=1999&amp;ssl=1 1999w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image2.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ankit’s trip to Burma: Capturing the delectable cuisine</figcaption></figure></div>


During their initial visit, the team came across a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Recognising their significance in Burmese cuisine, they felt it crucial to showcase that at their restaurant.



Today, Burma Burma offers the widest repertoire of Burmese dishes in any restaurant in India and perhaps in the world. The menu captures the restaurant&#8217;s 10-year journey, with each dish reflecting the cities, regions, and tribes the founders have encountered along the way.



It comprises bestsellers like Spicy Tea Leaf &amp; Avocado Salad, Oh No Khowsuey, Lotus Stem Crisps, Samosa Soup, Mekong Curry, and Rangoon Baked Milk, amalgamating diverse flavours that would appeal to the Indian palate.



Ankit says, “We innovate extensively in terms of the desserts and beverages that we offer, while maintaining consistency in the quality of food on our menu.”



Uncovering the hurdles



However, bringing Burmese cuisine to India comes with its own set of challenges. One major hurdle that Ankit and his team faced was in sourcing specialised local Burmese ingredients. The unique flavours of the dishes rely heavily on these specific ingredients, requiring a constant search for reliable suppliers or suitable alternatives available in India.



Additionally, finding the right talent across different states is an ongoing challenge for the restaurant, especially because customers expect high levels of consistency and quality from the brand. Locating skilled chefs and staff with the expertise needed to prepare signature Burmese dishes can be difficult, but Ankit and Chirag constantly manage to tide over challenges.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14261" style="width:645px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image3-1.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ankit’s trip to Burma &#8211; Exploring the nooks and corners of the country: Mr. Ankit Gupta, Co-Founder (Center), Mr. Ansab Khan, Head Chef (Right End)</figcaption></figure></div>


Ankit says, “Burma has faced difficult times in recent years due to ongoing internal conflicts, causing trade routes to frequently open and close. To source our ingredients, we&#8217;ve had to establish alternative channels through Thailand, Bodh Gaya, and other regions.” Developing the supply lines has been crucial for the brand to stay true to their vision of serving signature Burmese food in India.



Shaping success through strategic collaborations



As a niche cuisine, what Burmese food needed was a robust platform to create demand and connect with a diverse audience in India. Zomato provided exactly that.



The brand has witnessed incredible growth since the time they were onboarded on Zomato in 2018. Their orders have grown 12 times over the past six years.Ankit says, “An interesting thing that we noticed was that despite training our servers to make food recommendations for our dine-in customers, many of them would come to the restaurant with very specific requirements.” They later realised that this was primarily because of Zomato.



He adds, “People saw reviews of our highest rated items on Zomato and wanted the exact same items to eat at our restaurant!” Ankit adds that the association has been crucial in making Burmese cuisine more accessible and popular across the country and establishing it as a leading name in the culinary space.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14262" style="width:675px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image1-2.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Saffron and Samuza Cheesecake at Burma Burma</figcaption></figure></div>


An adventure filled ride awaits



Fueled by their growing popularity, Burma Burma is all set to launch many more restaurants in India, including across tier 2 cities over the next 2-3 years.



Ankit shares, “In the next few months we look forward to introducing some exciting new dishes. We keep updating our menu to keep the offering fresh and interesting for our guests across the country.”



Having crafted flavours that are being loved by millions, the future for Burma Burma looks promising. It stands as a befitting tribute to the people and culture of Burma while offering the most modern and eclectic introduction to Burmese cuisine for thousands of Indians.

The Big Brand Theory | How Ma’s Recipes Ended up Building One of India’s Leading Burmese Specialty Cuisine Brands

Every month, around 4 lakh perfectly good orders on their way to the customers are canceled on Zomato. It’s a serious challenge and we have been working on possible solutions to reduce this food wastage.



Introducing Food Rescue! Canceled orders will now pop up for nearby customers, who can grab them at an unbeatable price, in their original untampered packaging, and receive them in just minutes. 



How does Food Rescue work for customers?



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The canceled order will pop up on the app for customers within a 3 km radius of the delivery partner carrying the order.</li>



<li>To ensure freshness, the option to claim will only be available for a few minutes.</li>



<li>The original customer and those in their immediate vicinity will not receive the option to claim the order.</li>



<li>The amount paid by the new customer will be shared with the original customer (if they made online payment), and with the restaurant partner. Zomato will not keep any proceeds (except the required government taxes).</li>



<li>Orders containing items sensitive to distances or temperature such as ice creams, shakes, smoothies, and certain perishable items, will not be eligible for Food Rescue.</li>



<li>Customers who prefer vegetarian food will not see non-veg orders.</li>
</ul>



How does it work for our restaurant partners?



We are heartened to see that 99.9% of our restaurant partners want to be a part of this initiative. Here’s how it will work for them:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Restaurant partners will continue to receive compensation for the original canceled order, plus a portion of the amount paid by the new customer if the order is claimed.</li>



<li>Restaurant partners can see Food Rescue orders in Order history section on the Restaurant Partner app and in their Weekly Payout statement, in the &#8216;Order Level&#8217; tab</li>



<li>If, for any reason, restaurant partners don’t wish to participate, they can instantly opt out via their Restaurant partner app and dashboard.</li>
</ul>



How does it work for our delivery partners?



Delivery partners will be compensated fully for the entire trip, from the initial pickup to the final drop-off at the new customer’s location.



We are committed to minimizing food wastage. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please write to us at <a href="mailto:foodrescue@zomato.com">foodrescue@zomato.com</a>

Food Rescue: An initiative to minimize food wastage

At Zomato, our endeavor is to make the food ordering experience seamless and hassle-free. While we strive to consistently have your food delivered as quickly as possible, we understand that sometimes, you may want to plan your order in advance. Whether it’s for a special occasion, a group lunch at the office, or your daily caffeine fix, planning when your food arrives just got easier.



We’re excited to introduce Order Scheduling &#8211; a feature that gives you full control over when your food is delivered. You can now schedule deliveries from 2 hours to 2 days in advance. This feature is now available at 35,000+ restaurants across 30 cities &#8211; Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, Ahmedabad, and others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">So how does it work?</h2>



With Order Scheduling, you can plan your meals to arrive exactly when you need them. Here’s how:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Schedule your order at your preferred time whether it’s a few hours or a few days later.</li>



<li>If your preferred time slot is full, you will be prompted to choose an alternative time slot during checkout</li>



<li>Your food will be freshly prepared and delivered with the same quality and care.</li>



<li>Plans changed? No problem &#8211; you can cancel your order up to three hours before the scheduled delivery time.</li>
</ol>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benefits for restaurant partners: incremental orders</h2>



This feature isn’t just a win for customers; it also opens up new opportunities for restaurants. Key benefits for restaurant partners include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Maximize capacity: Advance orders help restaurants fill gaps during slower periods, which could translate into a steady stream of additional orders.</li>



<li>No extra training required: Scheduling seamlessly integrates with the restaurant&#8217;s current operations, meaning no new processes or tools need to be learned.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Built-in safeguards: Ensuring a smooth experience for all</h2>



We’ve also implemented several checks and balances to make sure everything runs smoothly.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Curated selection of restaurant that have consistently adhered to kitchen preparation time, and have high availability</li>



<li>Proactive notifications for restaurants ahead of scheduled orders, ensuring they have ample time to prepare and deliver on time</li>



<li>Restaurants can control which items/categories are available for scheduled orders. This helps avoid any unpleasant surprises when certain dishes or ingredients run out</li>
</ul>



Hear from our customers on their experience:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>&#8220;The cake I ordered for my friend’s surprise party arrived right on time and was just perfect!&#8221;</li>



<li>&#8220;Scheduling our team lunch was so easy – it saved us from the usual last-minute rush.&#8221;</li>



<li>&#8220;Having my coffee break perfectly timed to my desk made my day!&#8221;</li>
</ul>



A big shout out to the team that made this possible: Aditya Singh, Akshat Goel, Amber Sharma, Archit Agarwal, Avinash Ruchandani, Avneek Kaur, Ayush Kumar, Bhavya Rustgi, Kashyap Panchani, Kaustubh Kumar Singh, Manuj Grover, Mayank Dhillon, Pratik Singh, Puli Karthik Reddy, Sadhna Nayak, Samarth Gupta, Sanjay Kumar, Sauduzzaman, Sudhanshu Tiwari, Sumegha Khilnani, Sumit Taneja, Sunny Kumar, Vivek Arora, Vikram Kumar, Yash Maheshwari, Yameni Dhankar.