South India is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, with dishes like Dosa, Idli, and Biryani being globally recognized. These dishes are staples, often enjoyed for breakfast or as part of a main course.
Popular South Indian dishes include:
- Dosa: A thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, often served with chutneys and sambar.
- Idli: Soft, fluffy steamed rice cakes, typically served with sambar and chutneys.
- Sambar: A lentil stew with vegetables, spices, and tamarind, frequently served with idli and dosa.
- Rasam: A thin, tangy soup made with tomatoes, tamarind, and spices, often served as a starter or with rice.
- Biryani: A rice dish cooked with meat (often chicken or mutton) and aromatic spices, with Hyderabadi Biryani being particularly popular.
- Vada: Deep-fried savory doughnuts made from lentil batter.
- Payasam: A sweet, creamy dessert made with rice, milk, and jaggery.
- Appam: A soft, fermented crepe made from coconut milk and rice flour, popular in Kerala.
- Uttapam: A savory pancake made with fermented rice and lentil batter, often topped with vegetables.
- Masala Dosa: A popular variant of Dosa stuffed with a spiced potato filling.