10 Traditional South Indian Dishes In Chennai You Must Try On Your Next Trip To The TN Capital

A trip to Tamil Nadu is incomplete without gorging on sizzling hot dosas straight out of the griddle, a sip of piping hot filter kaapi, a seafood platter celebrating the freshest catch of the sea and sweets that taste like home. If you’re in Chennai for a trip, then here are 10 traditional South Indian dishes ranging from homely vegetarian recipes, spicy non-veg fare to festive sweets that you must absolutely try.

10 Traditional South Indian Dishes In Chennai You Must Try

1. Venn Pongal

Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, shares the same name as Pongal, a dish associated with it. Ven Pongal is the savoury sibling of Sakkarai Pongal, the sweet variant of the rice-lentil dish. In Ven Pongal, the dish is seasoned with black peppercorns and cooked in ghee, and garnished with tempered curry leaves, roasted cashews and ginger slivers.

2. Poriyal

Poriyal is a mildly spicy sautéed vegetable dish that goes well with rice and rasam. It’s made by shredding or dicing vegetables and lightly frying them with spices. Mustard seeds, urad dal, diced onions, along with dried red chillies, grated coconut, coriander and turmeric go into preparing this traditional dish that’s found in every other household in Tamil Nadu.

3. Sundal

Tamil Nadu’s Sundal is a lightly spiced chickpea stir-fry. A household staple during auspicious occasions! A warm or even cold dish, even offered in temples as prasad, Sundal comprises white or black chickpeas roasted and mixed with ginger, grated coconut and finely chopped green chillies. It’s a comforting dish which brings out the simplicity of Tamilian food. Sundal is a traditional South Indian dish in Chennai that is must had at a temple or a loved one’s home.

4. Prawn Varuval

“Varu” translates to “roast” or “fry” in Tamil. So, Varuval is a dry dish where eggs, meat or seafood is stir-fried with an array of aromatics. When in Tamil Nadu, the Prawn Varuval, fresh off the coasts, deserves a try as it’s popular in the Chettinad region. Prawns are stir-fried with onions, spices and herbs, and the spicy, flavoursome dish is often ready in just 20 minutes.

5. Vendhaya Kuzhambu

The variety of Kuzhambu made in Tamil Nadu, is reason enough why at least one variant of this flavoursome South Indian gravy is worth a try. Vendhaya Kuzhambu refers to Fenugreek Kuzhambu, often light on the palate yet tart on the taste buds. This is a gravy made by cooking vegetables in a roasted blend of spices and methi.

6. Palkova

With just three ingredients, milk, sugar and lots of patience, Palkova is a hidden gem of a dessert only found in Tamil Nadu. The milk fudge is perfectly sweet, moreish and is prepared by stirring the milk and sugar for hours to get a thick, creamy and fudgy texture. A box of Palkova is just the perfect souvenir from your trip to the coastal state.

7. Dindigul Biryani

Originating from the Dindigul region in Tamil Nadu, this biryani is spicy, aromatic and just sumptuous. The subtle yet earthy flavour in Dindigul Biryani comes from the tender grass-fed goats grazing in Kannivadi, a village in the Dindigul district. Unlike other varieties of biryani, this is made of short-grain seeraga samba rice, which is very fragrant and goes with the tender meat.

8. Chicken Chettinad

A list of the best South Indian dishes to try in Tamil Nadu is incomplete without mentioning ‘Chicken Chettinad’. Hailing from the Chettinad region of the state, known for its love affair with spices, Chicken Chettinad is no doubt a fiery dish. To make the dish, tender pieces of marinated chicken are cooked in a robust gravy infused with dried red chillies, curry leaves, lots of pepper and other roasted spices. This dish tingles the taste buds and goes best with flaky paratha. This is one of the best traditional South Indian dishes in Chennai you must savour.

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9. Paruppu Payasam

Paruppu Payasam is a traditional delicacy of Tamil Nadu, prepared as a sacred offering to deities, especially during festivities. A type of kheer made with split moong dal and jaggery, which is simmered in coconut milk, finished with roasted dry fruits. The taste is elevated by the use of spices like nutmeg and cardamom. Each spoonful of this dessert tastes heavenly.

10. Tirunelveli Halwa

Tirunelveli Halwa is another delicacy from Tamil Nadu, is a must-try dish. Made using only wheat, ghee and sugar, it comes from the Tirunelveli district of the state. The halwa is its crown jewel. The careful cooking process of the halwa that involves constant stirring to prevent it from sticking is what makes it stand apart from the rest.  What makes the semi-solid, chewy halwa sing in your mouth is the use of water from the Thamirabarani River, which has a distinct sweetness. 

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So, which of these traditional South Indian dishes from Chennai have you tried or are on your wishlist?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Santhosh Varghese and Pugalenthi