The capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the largest cities in South India is Chennai, formerly known as Madras. On South India Tours, Chennai is one of the top cities in India for food since it combines delectable dishes with a range of spices and sauces. The food of South India is well-known across the country. Particularly, idli and dosa have developed into standard fare for many street food sellers. It's intriguing that idli and dosa aren't the only foods available in Chennai's thriving street food scene, though. Aside from the typical South Indian street food, Chennai's streets are teeming with eateries serving a delectable array of North Indian, Gujarati, and East Indian dishes. So, included below are some of Chennai's most well-known street meals that you can sample while on an Incredible India tour.
1. Idli- Idli is a common food in Tamil Nadu and can be found on practically every street corner. It is typically served with sambar and coconut chutney and is composed of rice. In Chennai, there are numerous well-known restaurants that serve their idlis with a great variety of chutneys. Despite how simple the method is to make them, not everyone can get them to be fluffy and airy.
Where to eat: Murugan Idli Shop at T. Nagar and Idly Express at Velachery
2. Sundal- Sundal is a type of dry Chaat food that is particularly well-liked by Chennai residents. Sundal is one of the best nibbling snacks because it is light and healthful. It is made with finely chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and onions, as well as boiling Black chickpeas, shredded coconut, and raw mango, which give it a sour flavour. Additionally, different kinds of spices are added to it to make it a little hot, and it is then delivered to you in a bowl or a paper cone. This chart will win your heart with its acidic and hot flavour. On Chennai's streets and beaches, you may find a number of shops selling this particular chaat food with their own special flavour.
Where to eat: several vendors at Marina Beach, OSB hot and Chaat at West Mambalam and Mathsya at Egmore
3. Idiyappam- Idiyappam is a type of unique South Indian noodle. It's interesting how much this street food resembles noodles but tastes nothing like them. Idiyappam is a rice-based breakfast dish that is typically served with curry and coconut milk.
Where to eat: Street vendors at Kozhidi and MG Road
4. Atho Man- Atho Man, one of the most well-liked street dishes in Chennai, is actually a Burmese dish, but it has become so common that no one can remember where it comes from. Atho Man, however, is a dish of basic orange-colored noodles blended with fresh, raw veggies. People waiting in line to purchase a dish may be seen at little shops serving Atho Man in nearly every street corner of Chennai.
Where to eat: Atho Man at G.A. Road, Atho Corner and Mulberry Star Burma Atho Shop
5. Kothu Parota- Similar to the North Indian Lacha Parantha, parotta is a flatbread prepared from flour that is commonly found on city streets. Shredded parotta is combined with either egg, meat, or veggies to make kothu parotta. This specialty is also offered by many eateries. On Chennai's streets, though, it tastes the best.
Where to eat: Thambi Vilas at T. Nagar and Madurai Kumar Mess at Ashok Nagar
6. Muruku- A crunchy snack called muruku is produced by combining gramme and rice flour, adding salt and cumin seeds to the dough, then deep-frying it. Although murukus may resemble jalebis, they taste salty and are typically served with hot tea. They are highly well-liked by the locals. Murukus, however, have changed over time; in Chennai, a number of eateries and street food vendors have created the mururku sandwich. The concept is to use pieces of muruku in place of the classic sandwich's bread and sandwich other ingredients such as slices of cucumber, tomato, and onion in between.
Where to eat: 3 star Murukku Shop at Mowlivakkam and Ajanabi at Egmore.
6. Muruku- A crunchy snack called muruku is produced by combining gramme and rice flour, adding salt and cumin seeds to the dough, then deep-frying it. Although murukus may resemble jalebis, they taste salty and are typically served with hot tea. They are highly well-liked by the locals. Murukus, however, have changed over time; in Chennai, a number of eateries and street food vendors have created the mururku sandwich. The concept is to use pieces of muruku in place of the classic sandwich's bread and sandwich other ingredients such as slices of cucumber, tomato, and onion in between.
Where to eat: 3 star Murukku Shop at Mowlivakkam and Ajanabi at Egmore.
7. Uthappam- After dosai, uthappam is one of the most popular street dishes in Chennai. Uthappam is a rice-based dish that is stuffed with a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, tomatoes, and capsicum. Uthappam, a South Indian dish, will undoubtedly become one of your favourites when it is served with Sambhar and coconut chutney.
Where to eat: Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre, Saravana Bhavan, Anachi Dosai Kada and Ratna Cafe.
8. Boli- In some southern and central Indian states, the sweet snack known as boli is also referred to by the names Puran Poli, Holige, and Obbattu. Like a chapati, a classic boli is filled with mashed Bengal gram, sugar, ghee, cardamom, and nutmeg.
Where to eat: Venkateshwara Boli Stall and Sri Srinivasa Boli Stall
9. Bhajji- Bhajji is particularly well-known in Chennai. Pakora's South Indian counterpart, bhaji, has a flavour that even North Indians find delicious. In Chennai, it's simple to find a platter of hot, spicy bhajji that's been freshly fried and accompanied by tangy, sour chutney.
Where to eat: Jannal Kadai, Nair Mess and Mak N Bhajji Shop
10. Dosa- After idli, dosa is the second most well-known south Indian food dish that you may have on the streets of Chennai. It is a rice and lentil flour batter that is used to make a thin, crispy pancake. The dosa can be eaten with or without fillings, such as mashed potatoes in a masala sauce, paneer, onion masala, etc. It is served with a variety of chutneys on the side and a hot, spicy sambar. Dosa is a really filling dish that you can purchase for a very reasonable price. Without trying dosa, Chennai's most iconic dish, the journey would be incomplete.
Where to eat: Dosa Mama at West Mambalam, Dosart at Kilpauk and Krishna’s Dosa Kadai at Nolambur.
11. Kuzhi Paniyaram- Kuzhi Paniyaram, sometimes referred to as Paddu locally, is a little Idli that has a slightly different and tastier flavour. Paddu is prepared in a unique mould using rice batter and black lentils. One of the most well-liked foods is kuzhi paniyaram, which many residents prepare at home frequently.
Where to eat: The Old Madras Cafe, Murugan Idli Shop and Dakshina Puram
12. Jigarthanda- Jigarthanda is Hindi for "Cool Heart." It is a refreshing beverage that can be found throughout Tamil Nadu and originates from Madurai. The key components of the delectable beverage are milk, ice cream, root syrup, sugar syrup, and almond gum.
Where to try: Madurai Famous Jigarthanda, OMR Jigarthanda, Hanifa Jigarthanda and Jigarthanda Triplicane Chennai
13. Wada- Whatever you choose to name it—wada, vade, vadai, wadeh, or bara—it will always be the best street food in Chennai. Almost every nook and cranny of the city is home to this food. These deep-fried doughnuts, made with spices and Bengal Gram, may not be a healthy option, but they are undoubtedly a tasty treat. Chennai street vendors offer vadas with either sambhar or coconut chutney.
Where to eat: Several stalls across the city
