Prabhakar Prasad, a young man from Barh, Bihar, has found a unique way to earn a living in the United States. After losing his corporate job in the IT sector in February 2025, he did not lose hope. Instead of waiting for another job offer, he started selling tea on the streets of Los Angeles. Known as the ‘Bihari Chaiwala’, he sets up his stall in famous areas like Hollywood and Malibu.
Price of Tea and Poha at the Stall
The prices at Prabhakar’s stall are quite surprising for people back in India. A single cup of tea costs between $8 and $8.69. This means one cup is sold for about 780 rupees. He also serves Poha to his customers.
One plate of Poha is priced at around $16, which converts to roughly 1,350 to 1,500 rupees. On good days, his total revenue touches $300 to $400. This amounts to approximately 25,000 to 33,000 rupees in a single day.
Rent and Expenses in Los Angeles
Prabhakar recently clarified that the 31,000 rupees figure is his total earning, not his pure profit. Living in Los Angeles is very expensive. He pays a rent of about $3,000 per month, which is equal to 2.5 lakh rupees.
Apart from house rent, he has to pay for car insurance, maintenance, and stall fees to the market committee. He operates his stall only 7 to 8 days a month at weekly Farmers Markets. He also holds valid permits to sell on the sidewalk.
Keeping the Desi Style Alive
Even in a foreign land, Prabhakar has not forgotten his roots. He is often seen with a traditional Gamcha on his shoulder. He promotes his identity as a ‘Bihari Gamer’ and speaks to many customers in Hindi. His Instagram handle is gaining popularity quickly.
Customers like his tea because he uses organic ingredients with an Ayurvedic twist. After the success of tea and Poha, he is now planning to add Khichdi to his menu to serve more Indian flavors abroad.
