Best 10 South Indian Dishes Everyone Should Taste Once

Dosa

A crispy, golden-brown crepe made from fermented rice and urad dal, dosa is a breakfast staple throughout South India. It comes in many variations like masala dosa (stuffed with spicy potato), plain dosa. It is usually served with coconut chutney and sambar.

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Idli

Idli is a popular breakfast in South India. Soft, and steamed, idlis are a dish made from rice flour. They are highly nutritious, making them a popular breakfast choice. Served with chutney and sambar.

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Vada

Vada is deep-fried and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. It is served hot with coconut chutney and sambar. Medu vada is the most common variety, especially popular during festivals.

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Sambar

Sambar is a thick, flavorful dish cooked with a mixture of tamarind, vegetables and special spices. It is a staple dish served with idli, dosa, vada and rice throughout South India.

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Upma

Upma is a savoury dish mixed with rava and vegetables, mustard seeds and curry leaves. It is quick to prepare, making it a popular breakfast option.

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Pongal

Pongal is a rice and moong dal dish spiced with black pepper, cumin and ghee. It is a staple, especially in festivals and traditional breakfasts.

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Pesarattu

This protein-rich green gram dosa is a specialty of Andhra Pradesh. Crispy and nutritious, pesarattu is served with spicy ginger chutney or upma.

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Appam of Kerala

Appam is a famous dish of Kerala. Appam is a soft, kind of pancake. It is made from rice flour.  People like to eat it for breakfast. It is usually served with coconut milk or kurma.

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Bisi rice bath

Karnataka's specialty Bisi Bele Bath is a spicy, hot concoction of rice, lentils, tamarind and vegetables. The unique flavour comes from a special spice blend and is usually enjoyed with boondi or papad.

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Puttu and Kadala Curry

One of the famous dishes of South India, puttu and Kadala Curry is a traditional dish of Kerala. Puttu is a rice cake made from rice flour and coconut and usually served with seafood curry. Health wise, it is one of the nutritious breakfast dishes.

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