Ultimate Trail For Chennai's Best Idiyappam
By Slurrp Editorial
The popular South Indian dish called Idiyappam, also known as string hoppers in certain parts of India, was made using a manual press called a sevai nazhi. Today, a trip to Chennai is incomplete without a taste of these noodle-like Idiyappam. So, here is the food trail across Chennai you need to get a taste of Idiyappam with a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian pairings.
*Some restaurants listed in this trail serve non-vegetarian food, but have been added because they have good vegetarian options on their menu as well.
Idiyappam Puttu Kadai
A small restaurant resembling a fast food joint, we were recommended this place for Idiyappam by some locals. This restaurant serves only idiyappam and puttu, with some accompaniments. But they do them really well. We ordered Ragi Idiyappam and Wheat Idiyappam with some Kadala Curry and Coconut Milk. Delicious! Heavenly! We wanted to go for seconds, but decided to try the same idiyappam with cane sugar and palm sugar. Conventional desserts be damned.Kozhi Idli
The restaurant is in an old house that has been turned into a restaurant and given some simple tables and chairs. Our group ordered a variety of dishes, including Chicken Pepper Rasam, Chicken Thokku, Chicken Vadai, Naatu Kozhi Pepper Gravy, Idli, and Idiyappam. The vadai was similar to a Paruppu Vadai. The soup was tasty and had a strong pepper flavour. The idli and idiyappam were soft and delicious. The restaurant offers separate sections for families and Saturday nights. Overall, it was a satisfying experience.Mylai Karpagambal Mess
Established in the year 1950, this place is one of Mylapore's oldest existing eateries. Modest in appearance, yet great in terms of quality food, this place has a special place in the hearts of the locals, who consider the restaurant to be an integral part of the local culture. We tried the Idiyappam Kurma and the Ghee Uthappam, both of which were delicious and of high quality. Just the right amount of spice and ghee/oil We walked away with a newfound appreciation for old, traditional eateries tucked away in corners of certain cities.Bharati Mess
Started in 2012 by siblings S. Kannan and S. Saravanan, this mess is named after the eminent poet and Indian independence activist Shri Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi. The walls are lined with his life stories and literary works. We tried the Ragi Idiyappam with Vadacurry and the Chili Idli. These traditional restaurants keep impressing us with their flavors. We finally washed the food down with some good old filter coffee. Rest assured, we'll be returning at the earliest.Kaaraikudi Chettinad Restaurant
An authentic Chettinad restaurant with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu options, the interiors here are all wooden, and the lighting transports you to the land of the Chettiyars. The Idiyappam Paya Combo we ordered had us asking for seconds. We resisted that urge and tried the Vanjeeram Meenu Kuzhambu with Chili Garlic Wheat Parotta and were floored again. A Carrot Halwa rounded off the meal on a sweet note, and off we went, plotting our eventual return.Ente Keralam
Warm and simple interiors with good lighting is how we'd describe the this restaurant. We had the Pachakkari Stew with Idiyappam and had absolutely no complaints. To entertain our curious palates, we tried the Mushroom Masala with Chuvanna Choru. We're still wondering why such a place has very few dedicated reviews. The Ilaneer Payasam, with its cooling taste, was an ideal dessert for the hot and humid South Indian summer.Kappa Chakka Kandhari
Kappa Chakka Kandhari is an excellent spot for a relaxed meal with family and serves authentic Kerala cuisine. Their seafood dishes are some of their best sellers, and they have various delectable options for both vegetarians and meat eaters. Be warned though - they have removed their à la carteoption of ordering, and have a set menu instead, so it can get pricey. But, the taste of the food more than makes up for it!
Thaligai Restaurant
Sweets, savory dishes, and snacks are what this restaurant excels at. Some breakfast items are also served, although their variety is limited. But whatever they do serve is quite delicious. We tried the idiyappam with kurma for starters and had no complaints whatsoever. Then we ordered the Capsicum Uthappam and the Sambar Sadham. We wanted to try more dishes, but we were rather full from the large portions and decided to come back another time soon.Achayathis Restaurant
Authentic flavours of South Kerala, seasoned with aromatic spices and rich coconut cream, are what Achayatis wants to bring to you. Wooden benches and simple yet eye-catching paintings bring up the decor. We had the Kizhi Mutton Biryani and Idiyappam with Beef Curry. We were in flavour heaven. While our minds wanted to order more, our full bellies protested in anger. Overall a simple yet tasty affair. Time well spent!Paati Veedu
This restaurant serves traditional recipes with Instagram-worthy twists. Set in a discreet house on a quiet street in T Nagar, tourists, NRIs, and corporate clients would've once been the customers here. We started with Masala Vada and Crispy Corn. Then we had the Idiyappam with Sodhi. The soft yet firm Idiyappam had us comparing it to the Idiyappam at Kappa Chakka Kandhari. We also tried the Puliyodharai. People from Bengaluru will remember this as Puliyogare. Spicy with the right quantity of oil, we relished it as we planned our next visit.
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