On a sunny morning at a bustling farmers’ market in Los Angeles, amid yoga mats, organic produce and indie music, the unmistakable aroma of Indian masala chai draws a steady crowd. At the centre of it stands Prabhakar Prasad, a native of Bihar, calmly stirring a steel pot — confident, grounded and unmistakably himself.
Known online as the “Chaiguy” or the “Bihari Chaiwala of LA,” Prabhakar is a former corporate employee who chose an unconventional path after losing his job in the United States.
A layoff that became a turning point
When Prabhakar was laid off, he faced a familiar crossroads: return to the corporate grind or attempt something entirely different. He chose chai.
“I didn’t want to go back to corporate slavery,” he has said in interviews. Instead, he set up a small stall, serving masala chai and poha — flavours rooted in memory and home. What began modestly soon became a daily sell-out.
High prices, higher demand
At his stall, a cup of chai costs around $8.65 (₹780), while a plate of poha sells for about $16.80 (₹1,512). Though shocking by Indian standards, the pricing reflects the realities of Los Angeles. Despite this, customers line up, and Prabhakar reportedly earns ₹25,000–₹30,000 on good days, supporting his family back in Bihar.
Carrying Bihar to global streets
What sets Prabhakar apart is his unapologetic identity. He speaks Hindi with customers, wears a gamchha, and proudly calls himself Bihari. His appearance has even earned him a playful online nickname, but his message is serious: success need not mean erasing who you are.
More than a business
Prabhakar’s journey, popularised through viral Instagram reels, is more than a food story. It is about dignity, choice and cultural pride. From Bihar to California, his story quietly reminds the world that sometimes, freedom comes not from climbing higher — but from stepping away.