When you go to Chennai, the smell of spices and fresh food fills the air. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is regarded for having some of the oldest and most flavorful foods in the world. You have to eat the city’s cuisine to really get a feel for its culture. This article will provide a quick look into the tasty world of real South Indian food, so you can enjoy it the next time you travel on a Dubai to Chennai flight and have an amazing experience.
Tiffin is the morning meal
In Chennai, they call breakfast “tiffin.” People think it’s an essential lunch that gets you ready for the day. A traditional tiffin has a lot of warm, savory foods instead of bread or cereal. People often consume idlis, which are very soft steamed rice cakes. They come with a spicy lentil and vegetable dish called sambar. There are also many types of chutneys produced from coconut, tomato, or mint that go with the food.
The dosa is another well-known tiffin meal. A dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from rice flour. The masala dosa, which is loaded with spicy potatoes, is quite popular, although there are many different kinds in Chennai. A Ghee Roast Dosa is recognized for its rich, buttery flavor, whereas a Rava Dosa is a crispy variation made with semolina. You could also notice Medhu Vada, which is a fluffy, doughnut-shaped delicacy that is soft on the inside and crisp on the exterior. It is great for dipping in sambar.
The main course is a banana leaf meal
Many people look forward to enjoying a typical Tamil lunch following their travel from Dubai to Chennai. This lunch, which is also called “ela sappad,” is served on a clean banana leaf and is quite filling and fulfilling. There is a big pile of rice in the middle of the leaf. There are a lot of different foods around it.
These normally come with a poriyal (stir-fried vegetables), a kootu (vegetables and lentils cooked together), a lot of sambar, and rasam (a thin, spicy soup). They also give you some crispy crackers called appalams and a little bit of pickle. You get cool curd (yogurt) at the end of the meal. You should consume the meal with your right hand and combine the various foods with the rice. There are a lot of different flavors in this meal, including spicy, sour, and savory.
Chettinad food has spicy flavors
While in Tamil Nadu, you should have Chettinad food, which is spicy and smells great. People in the Chettinad area are known for using freshly roasted spices in their cooking. People know that the food is really tasty and spicy.
One of the most well-known meals is Chicken Chettinad. It is a curry with a lot of flavor that is cooked using a specific mix of spices. Mutton Chukka is a popular choice for those who prefer mutton. It has chunks of mutton that have been cooked until they are dry and then smothered in a thick, spicy paste. Many vegetarian recipes also employ the same strong Chettinad spices.
Famous filter coffee and snacks
You may also get great meals on the crowded streets of Chennai. Street sellers serve crispy snacks like bhajjis (fried veggies) and murukku (a crunchy, spiral-shaped snack) at night.
You have to sample Chennai’s famed filter coffee if you go there. It is an essential aspect of the culture there. A unique metal filter is used to make a strong coffee beverage. Then, hot, frothy milk and sugar are added to this beverage. To make the coffee foamy, it is typically poured from a height between two cups. The drink is powerful, smells good, and makes you feel good.
Wrapping Up This Guide to South Indian Cuisine
Chennai is easy to get to from other parts of the globe. Many foreign airlines fly to the airport, including Oman Air. This makes it simple for food enthusiasts to get there. To really get a feel for the local culture, travelers should taste as many diverse foods as they can. So, the next time you plan your visit here, remember to have a taste of the mentioned dishes and enjoy a burst of flavours in your mouth.
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