Nearly five decades ago, when chaat was still a novelty in the city, the late Jaswant B Shah, a Gujarati entrepreneur with remarkable foresight, introduced Chennai to the vibrant world of bhel puri, paani puri, samosas and other traditional snacks. What began modestly inside Figurette, a beauty parlour run by his wife Kanakam on the then Village Road in Nungambakkam, soon evolved into one of the city’s most loved snack destinations.

As business flourished, Shah shifted Milan to the bustling Chintamani Supermarket in Anna Nagar, where he built a loyal following through the 1980s and early 1990s. For many families, a visit to Milan became a ritual synonymous with flavour, freshness, and consistency. Unfortunately, ill-health forced Shah to close the establishment in 1996, bringing an end to a memorable culinary chapter.

But some stories are too good to remain in the past.

In the early 2000s, Shah’s son Arjun Arun Shah stepped away from his corporate career to pursue entrepreneurship. Sensing a growing demand for quality ready-to-fry snacks, he launched The Samosa Factory, specialising in samosas supplied through online orders and select outlets across Chennai.

Having successfully established the brand, Arun turned his attention to reviving Milan — not merely as a business venture, but as a tribute to his father’s legacy. A few trial runs and enthusiastic customer responses convinced him that the city still remembered, and missed, the iconic flavours of Milan.

Today, Milan Chaats has found a new home at Madras Food Walk on Arcot Road, Porur, where nostalgia meets contemporary convenience.

During a recent visit to The Samosa Factory’s Milan Chaats outlet, Arun could be seen preparing orders behind the counter. As plates of dahi puri and bhel puri came together with practiced ease, it became evident that this was more than food preparation — it was craftsmanship rooted in memory and tradition.

One spoonful of the bhel puri instantly transported me back decades. The taste was unchanged — balanced, crisp, and layered with the familiar tang that once made Milan famous. Arun explains that the original recipes, chutneys, and ingredient ratios were meticulously documented by his father and continue to guide the kitchen even today.

“We stick to the original ingredients and flavours that made Milan special,” he says. “We don’t overload the bhel with extras. Simplicity and balance are what matter.”

Milan Chaats offer pani puri, aloo chaat, samosa channa, cutlet channa, dahi puri, and sev puri.

Says Aysha Rau, founder and managing trustee, The Little Theatre, “We visited Milan Chaats and The Samosa Factory at Madras Food Walk recently. We ordered bhel puri, dahi chaat, aloo tikka and mutton samosas. Mmmmm, they were absolutely delicious! I wouldn’t mind visiting often and slowly eat through their menu! The space is clean, airy and very relaxing…. ”

Even the takeaway experience has been thoughtfully designed. Ingredients are packed separately so customers can mix them fresh at home, ensuring the crunch and flavour remain intact until the very last bite.

Equally popular are the samosas — refreshingly smaller and more flavourful than the oversized versions commonly found today. The menu offers a delightful variety, including Indian onion, mini aloo, Chinese, Mexican, corn and cheese, mutton kheema, chicken and chicken 65 fillings. Semi-cooked and easy to refrigerate, they have become a favourite for parties, quick snacks, and cocktail gatherings.

The story does not end with Arun. The third generation is already carrying the legacy forward. Arun’s son Arjun now manages The Samosa Factory unit in Anna Nagar, overseeing the production and distribution of thousands of mini samosas across Chennai every day. Large institutional clients, including AGS Cinemas, source their snack supplies from the brand, while online orders continue to pour in through Swiggy and Zomato.

In an age where food trends change overnight, Milan Chaats stands apart by offering something timeless — authenticity. It is not merely reviving recipes, but reviving memories. And for countless Chennai food lovers, that familiar taste remains just as magical as it was nearly 50years ago.

Milan Chaat is at Madras Food Walk, Arcot Road, Porur. Contact 9940110499 for details.