The southern coastal state of India, Tamil Nadu is revered for their traditions and culture. The food habits of the state are a reflection of the culture. Coconut, drumsticks and curry leaves are an integral part of the Tamil cuisine. A variety of spices and rice are produced abundantly. The influence of the local produce is evident in the culinary habits of the cuisine. The aroma of each food item is so appetizing that you would be compelled to taste them. The flavor is equally delightful. Instead of gorging on regular fancy food, you must try the following food items whenever you visit Tamil Nadu.
- Dosa:
When you close your eyes and try to imagine Tamil food, what is the first food item you can picture? Dosa, right? Yes, the crunchy delight has a wide variety of options for everyone. From the humble set dosa to the luscious cheese mutton dosa, there is a type for everyone. Well, you might find dosa at every food joint in the country. But, the experience of lunching on an appetizing Dosa while temple-hopping in Chennai and resting at an hourly hotel in Chennai is enticing.
2. Idli:
Idli is by far the most popular Tamil dish. You cannot visit Tamil Nadu and abstain from the soft and fluffy rice cakes. The healthy idli is cooked by steaming the batter of rice flour and lentils. It is also regarded as the healthiest breakfast by many. It might be a wise decision to start your day with a sumptuous idli after checking out of an hourly couple friendly hotel in Guindy, Chennai.
3. Uttapam:
When Dosa meets idli, the uttapam is born. Rice and Urad Dal are grind and mixed to cook the delicious pancake. You would surely be smitten by the crispy and fluffy taste. You can definitely enjoy it at any time of the day. You can unwind over an uttapam with your loved one in an hourly couple friendly hotel in Velachery, Chennai.
4. Koozh:
Koozh is a lesser known millet porridge. The millet is mixed with buttermilk, coriander leaves, curry leaves and onion to prepare the porridge. Yes, the simple porridge is loaded with health benefits. When fermented, it helps to cool the body and beat the heat. During the Mariamman festival, the temples serve Koozh to the worshippers. As you travel around city under the scorching sun in the summer season, lunching on Koozh would help you to beat the heat and stay healthier. You can also check into an hourly couple friendly day-use hotel in Saidapet to avoid the scorching sun.
5. Kootu:
Lentils and vegetables are grind into a paste with spices to prepare the semi-solid Kootu. It is a regular item in the authentic Tamil meal. Enjoy it with rice and rasam in your hourly hotel near the Chennai International Airport.
6. Sundal:
Chickpeas and gram are roasted to prepare the salad. Coconut is grated and mixed with the salad to add a crunchy taste. A variety of spices are added for additional flavor. Nevertheless, the sundal enhances the taste of each meal. As you lunch on a meal, do not forget to add Sundal along with it. After a sumptuous meal you check into an hourly couple friendly day-use hotel in Anna Nagar for siesta.
7. Poriyal:
The side-dish is made by cooking diced vegetables with urad dal, mustard seeds and onions. The vegetables are marinated properly with spices for a flavoursome taste. You would definitely get a mixed flavor with each bite. Do not forget to dig into the poriyal with a full course meal. The taste would definitely linger along even after you have gone to rest in your hourly hotel in Madurai.
8. Puliodarai:
Well, rice is grown in abundance in Tamil Nadu and the locals prepare a variety of rice items. The sour and tangy tamarind rice is popularly known Puliodarai. You can have it for breakfast or at any other time of the day in your hourly hotel in Coimbatore.
9. Lemon Rice:
Another rice preparation that deserves mention is lemon rice. The spices and lemon give the flavoursome taste to the appetising dish. Team it up with chutney or curry for a sumptuous meal in your hourly hotel in Salem.
10. Banana Bonda:
The south Indian fried snack is generally spicy and salty. But, the banana bonda is a sweet delectable delight. Enjoy it as a snack with tea or otherwise. The appealing snack would surely leave you craving for more. Keep it handy for midnight cravings in your hourly hotel in Vellore.
11. Paniyaram:
Another delicious snack varying from sweet to salty tastes is the Paniyaram. There are a variety of paniyarams ranging from fillings of jaggery to spices. A batter of rice and black lentils is steamed with the requisite filling to prepare the paniyaram. You would surely be smitten by the appealing snack. Remember to snack on Paniyaram before checking into an hourly hotel in Thrissur.
12. Murukku:
The twisted salty fried snack is another appealing food. You can munch on them on the go and pack some for your family and friends as well. Have a relaxing time over murukku and tea with your loved ones in an hourly hotel in Erode.
13. Pongal:
The rich and luscious pongal can be both salty and sweet. The salty pongal is close to a north Indian khichdi while the sweet pongal is a delicious dessert. Whether you eat the salty or sweet version, you would surely love the rice and lentils preparation.
14. Payasam:
The signature dessert from Tamil Nadu is the payasam. Moong Dal is roasted and cooked with jaggery and dry fruits to prepare the appetizing delight. Any meal is incomplete without the dessert. You should dig into the dessert at the end of the meal before checking into an hourly hotel in Alwarpet to rest for the day.
Hope you would like all the food items during your vacation in Tamil Nadu. The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is during the Pongal festival. Enjoy the pompous festival with the delicacies of the state for an enriching experience of a lifetime.