South India is a food lover's paradise. With its diverse range of cuisines, each with their own unique flavours and ingredients, there's something to suit every palate. South India is a food lover's paradise, with a diverse range of dishes to suit every palate. From classic breakfast items like masala dosa and idli to spicy curries and fresh seafood, there's something for everyone to try. So, when you're travelling through South India, be sure to sample some of these delicious dishes and experience the region's rich culinary traditions.
Here are some of the must-try dishes and where to find them when you're travelling through South India.
Masala Dosa
This is a classic South Indian dish that you can find all over the region. It's a crispy, thin pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, served with a spicy potato filling and coconut chutney. Some of the best places to try masala dosa are in Chennai and Bangalore.
Hyderabadi Biryani
Hyderabad is known for its famous biryani, which is a spicy rice dish typically made with chicken or lamb. It's slow-cooked in a pot with fragrant spices and served with raita and a hard-boiled egg. You can find some of the best biryani in Hyderabad's old city.
Appam and Stew
Appam is a light and fluffy rice pancake that's crispy around the edges and soft in the middle. It's usually served with a coconut milk-based stew made with vegetables or meat. You can find this dish in Kerala, particularly in Fort Kochi.
Idli and Sambar
Idli is a steamed rice cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It's served with a spicy lentil soup called sambar and a coconut chutney. This is a staple breakfast dish in South India, and you can find it in almost any restaurant or street food stall.
Vada
Vada is a savory donut made from urad dal and spices. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and is often served with chutney and sambar. You can find vada all over South India, but the best places to try it are in Tamil Nadu.
Filter Coffee
South India is famous for its filter coffee, which is a strong and aromatic coffee made from roasted coffee beans and chicory. It's usually served with hot milk and sugar, and you can find it in almost any coffee shop or restaurant.
Seafood
South India has a long coastline, which means that it's home to some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the country. You can find a range of dishes, from spicy fish curries to grilled prawns and lobster, in places like Kochi and Chennai.