Masala Dosa is the first thing that cracks into your head when it comes to traditional food of Karnataka. Additionally what you don’t know is that Karnataka cuisine, one of the oldest alive cuisines, is well known for its spicy curries and seafood fortes. Rich and delicious, it has drawn an effect from the neighboring states and coastal areas. The taste and variety of Karnataka dishes change as you move from region to region. Albeit North Karnataka food is mainly about vegetarian food, the coastal region serves you pleasing seafood. Also Kodagu region is where you will taste the best meat curries and Mangalorean Cuisine has a rich flavour of coconut and local spices.
Traditional Food of Karnataka:
1. Chow Bath:
Although for those who like to eat spicy and sweet at the same time, Chow Bath is just the Karnataka food for you. Altogether it is a two-in-one dish, Khara Bath and Kesar Bath. While Khara Bath is the spicy Upma made with peanuts and vegetables, Kesar Bath is sweet Halwa which gets its orange colour from saffron. Both these delicious dishes with semolina. It is Karnataka’s favourite breakfast meal.
2. Raagi Mudha and Soppina Saaru:
Another dish Ragi Mudda is a part of the Karnataka cuisine in rural areas and with Ragi flour and water. The dough into balls and with Sopinna Saru which is simply a gravy made with green leafy vegetables and lentils cooked with spices. The steadiness of Saru makes it easier to eat Mudde. This Karnataka recipe is very high in nutritional value and has amazing health benefits.
3. Korri gassi:
Korri Gassi is a pleasing chicken curry that comes from the coastal region of Karnataka. But in the Tulu language, chicken ‘korri’ and the curry ‘gassi’. Certainly the curry with the flavours of coconut and tamarind which are the main constituents of this dish. It along with Neer Dosa. The smell and flavours of this chicken curry report the Karnataka Cuisine scene at its best.
4. Kane Rava Fry:
How can Mangalorean Cuisine be absolute without a coastal fish curry? This original dish of Karnataka with Ladyfish immersed in burning red chilli puree pound which with semolina and fried till it is golden and crisp. The fish is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside. This coastal delicacy is a favourite among the fish-eating community. This traditional food of Karnataka is one of the most famous.
5. Bisi Bele Bath:
Bisi Bele Bath is such a popular south-Indian meal that you will find in every Karnataka restaurant. The wholesome meal with rice, lentils, and vegetables cooked together with tamarind paste and dry coconut. The south-Indian version of ‘Indian Khichdi’ along with papadum and buttermilk. Bisi Bele Bath is the perfect dish for the days when you want something simple yet flavourful. It is a staple food of Karnataka
6. Maddur Vada:
Another most popular Karnataka famous food is Maddur Vada. A very popular teatime snack, it becomes difficult to stop once you start munching these fritters. This Karnataka cuisine recipe derives its name from Maddur town in Mandya, Karnataka. Unlike regular Vada who looks like a doughnut, Maddur Vada with Maida, semolina, and few spices. You will find this famous fritter snack served in trains and tea stalls. This Karnataka food item with coconut chutney and filter coffee.
7. Coorg Pandi Curry:
A non-vegetarian delicacy hailing from the land of Coorg, Pandi Curry every time there is a reason for celebration. Traditionally, the dish with wild boar and vinegar made out of wild black fruit, but the contemporary version uses pork meat and special ‘Coorg Vinegar’ which imparts a distinct sour flavour. The rich dark colour to the gravy by a freshly ground spice blend. The curry with rice roti or rice balls.
8. Dahi Bade:
One of the popular Udupi dishes you will find on the menu is Dahi Bada or Thayer Vada. This recipe is somewhat different from the north Indian version of Dahi Bhalla which is a melange of tangy flavours. The dish is prepared on all eves and festivities in South India and also a popular breakfast meal. If you are visiting a traditional South Indian restaurant, start your meal with this simple yet delectable dish. It is one of the most famous foods of Karnataka.
Traditional Sweets of Karnataka:
1. Mysore Pak:
The most popular South Indian sweet, Mysore Pak out of chickpea flour, sugar and abundant quantities of ghee. Famous for its sweetness and known for its unmatched richness, it comes in two forms – crumble with pores or smooth and dense.
2. Gulbarga’s Malpuri:
This deep fried sweet with khoa and dunked in sugar syrup. While Gulbarga is known for its paan mithai, however it became famous by “Mamu Jaan Ki Malpuri”, a shop in Chappal Bazaar.
3. Bellary Cycle Khova:
Bellary is famous for its cycle khova which on the bicycles and dispensed from the brass containers on the eco-friendly Sal leaf plates. This sweet is a must eat if travelling to Bellary, buy it from the vendors who trawl the streets on bicycles.
4. Bhatkal Halwa:
The coastal side of Bhatkal is famous for its glutinous sweet made of godi or wheat milk known as godi halwa. The historic Bhatkal Sandow Halwa serves delicious godi.
5. Belgaum Mandige:
Apart from Kunda, Belgaum is also known for another sweet i.e., Mande or mandige. A crepe with a thin filling of sugar, ghee and khoa, it on an upturned tava similarly like a dosa.
6. Belgaum Kunda:
It is a sweet delicacy having its origin in Belgaum City. It of milk, khoa and sugar. The milk extensively till it becomes concrete. Apart from Belgaum, it is also popular in cities like Hubli, Dharwad and Davangere.
8. Dharwad Peda:
The Dharwad peda is round and grainy, with a veneer of castor sugar., a rich milk delicacy popular in the state of Karnataka. Dharwad Peda’s legacy goes back 175 years. by the Thakur family, who migrated from Unnao in UP and made pedas. It has also with Geographical Indication Tag.
Street Food of Karnataka:
1. Dal Obattu:
Also called Puran Poli in Marathi, it’s a bread recipe made with Toor dal, and jaggery and served mostly during Diwali and Ugadi.
2. Bhajia:
No visit to Karnataka is complete without a dose of Bhajia on the streets. Made with onion and gram flour, this snack with coffee or tea. Other varieties of bhajia available in Karnataka include mirchi, aloo, and raw banana.
3. Filter Coffee:
The Indian coffee with boiling frothy milk mixed with a decoction of ground coffee beans brewed in a traditional filter. The right way to drink filter coffee is by slurping it from the small saucer they serve it with. The rich aroma of the coffee will take you straight to the coffee plantations. Filter kaapi is a signature beverage and cultural icon all across Karnataka and other coastal regions.
4. Vada Pav:
While this snack originated in Maharashtra, it is equally popular in Karnataka and with dry garlic chutney and sauteed green chillies.
5. Mysore Masala Dosa:
Starting from the famous Mysore Masala Dosa, it is a staple food of Karnataka. The reason Mysore Masala Dosa tastes different from the other dosas is the special red spice mix smeared on the inside of the Dosa. The flavour of the red spice mix and the crispiness of Dosa will make you want for more. The dosa with coconut chutney, sambar, and lots of ghee.
6. Uthappam:
Another popular street food in Karnataka is Uthappam. Made with onion, rice flour, and tomato, this pancake dish with tomato garlic chutney and coconut chutney.
7. Mangalore Buns:
This regional dish of the Udupi region is sweet, tender, and made with bananas. These puris with coconut chutney and sambar.
8. Gobi Manchurian:
It’s a crispy and tangy snack dish made with Gobi coated in flour, deep fried, and tossed in soy sauce.
