From brunch spots to secret clubs, Mahjong is everywhere and cannot be stopped

There's a new addiction across India and it comes in the form of a tile game. Yes, it's Mahjong and it's the very same one we see Michelle Yeoh and Constance Wu going head-to-head with in the Crazy Rich Asians movie. Millennials may recall playing a digital version of this very game on their bulky PCs growing up. The tile-based game, that originated in China, now has a fan base worldwide. Today, Mahjong has found a new interest in the coolest pin codes of India. How? Powered by the internet, there exists a Whatsapp group called 'The Mahjong Network', which is an exciting underground social club, spanning South Bombay to Delhi. The craze has gotten so immense that now, more than 600 active members participate in neighbourhood-based game circles and even include Mahjong-themed brunches as part of their book clubs. 

How did it begin?

Ishira Kumar, a food stylist, photographer, and co-founder of 'The Mahjong Network', reveals that this club started in the "most millennial way possible i.e. a WhatsApp group chat." She started it along with Ria Bajaj, who is runs a global social media agency and Maneka Jain Daswani, a fashion entrepreneur; both of whom are based in Mumbai. "The three of us were strangers at the time," says Ishira. "We were learning Mahjong together and we consistently couldn’t find a fourth player to save our lives. That one tiny logistical hiccup turned into a much bigger idea. If we were struggling to find people to play with, surely others were too. So we started a group chat to help co-ordinate games. We figured it would be a quiet little corner of South Bombay with maybe 30 to 50 people, maximum. But within days, it exploded. We crossed 400 members almost overnight."

Why Mahjong?

"Once you’ve played a proper game, it’s very hard not to get hooked," explains Kumar. "Mahjong is strategic, tactile, social, and surprisingly meditative. You’re calculating hands, watching other players, and reading patterns, but somehow also totally in flow. It’s brainy and beautiful." One of it's main highlights in this digital world is that the meditative game allows you to be present across from real people with no screens in sight. The rest was history. Today, the club started by essentially three strangers in South Mumbai, has a network spread across Delhi, Alibaug, and Dubai.

Mahjong brunches

The trio have been hosting Mahjong-themed brunches in South Mumbai which feature shimmery tiles, iced matcha, a few nervous first-timers, and a meeting of experienced sharks (a la Crazy Rich Asians) over a game. These brunches are part-social mixer and part-gameplay; where grandmothers teach strategy to 20-somethings, who in turn help them with Instagram etiquette. In minutes, the shy first-timers turn into table bosses within a couple of games. 

Recognising the Mahjong madness, Poetry by Love & Cheesecake now hosts their own Mahjong tables for Rs. 899 across their Juhu, Bandra, and Lower Parel locations in Mumbai, between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays. Diners can sip slowly on spiced chai or velvet-rich chocolate, nibble on golden Cajun fries, flake apart a warm croissant, or scoop into silken hummus, all the while enjoying the tile game. 

A lighter solution 

One of the only downsides of Mahjong may be its bulky size. While the click-clack of wooden tiles is almost-soothing, it can be difficult to be mobile with. Enter Akanksha Mittal of 'Mahjong Calling', who crafted an easy and unique solution for Mahjong tiles by converting them into cards. Mittal, who has been playing Mahjong for a year now, first faced a difficulty while learning the game: "The tiles were only with the teacher, and without them, we couldn’t practice or enjoy a quick game in between classes." That's when the idea struck her: "why not convert this into cards?"  

Lightweight, easy to carry, and affordable for individuals to own their own set, Mittal now sells decks of Mahjong cards. They don’t need racks or special tables—you can play anywhere: on your dining table, at a café, when travelling or even on the floor with friends. Even with only a little time, you can squeeze in a few games and keep your skills sharp. "Our mahjong calling cards are a fresh and convenient way to enjoy the traditional game without the heaviness of tiles. Each card features a clear, beautifully designed representation of the original tiles—including suits, honours, flowers, and seasons—maintaining the true feel of Mahjong. We have simplified many of the elements and characters for ease of understanding. The images are large, bold, and very obvious, ensuring players are never confused, whether they are beginners or experienced. These cards make Mahjong accessible, portable, and easy to play anywhere and anytime; without needing racks or special tables," says Mittal. 

Takeaway 

Mahjong has really become the new book club. It's a fun, exciting way for people to gather and enjoy this game over small bites and big laughs. While sharing some fun anecdotes and stories that have come out of their Mahjong group, Kumar says, " A member messaged us saying she finally beat her table nemesis after ten straight losses and sent a selfie holding up her tiles like it was the Wimbledon trophy." 

Mahjong has become more than just a game. In a digital world, it has become a surprisingly powerful way for people to slow down, show up, and connect without a screen.