Street Food in Chennai
Street Food in Chennai
Street Food in Chennai
Chennai, the place of origin of the "Chicken 65" dish, is a top food destination. It has a lot more to offer than just idli and
dosa. Its rich and vibrant culture is reflective of its varied food palate. The capital of Tamil Nadu has a wide array of street
foods. It was featured in the second spot in National Geographic's list of "Top 10 Food Cities" from around the globe. If
you're a foodie, you cannot give this city a miss.
2. Chaat
Mint Street in Chennai is the place to go to if you are looking for some good chaat. This North Indian street food is a hit
among the locals. Kakada Ramprasad is a popular shop on this street that serves some delicious chaat items. You must
try their Aloo Tikki chaat, which is just the right amount of crispy.
Top 3 Places to Eat Chaat in Chennai
Hemanth Chats
Kakada Ramprasad Chats and Sweets
Ganga Chats
3. Atho
Originally a Burmese dish, Atho is a popular street food in Chennai. It consists of noodles served with vegetables. Head
over to the Burma Bazaar or Beach Road where lines of roadside stalls sell this unique street food. Atho Man, a food
joint on G.A. Road, serves various types of Athos and is worth a shot.
Top 3 Places to Eat Atho in Chennai
Atho Man
Atho Corner
Mulberry Star Burma Atho Shop
Cost for two: INR 200 (Approx)
Source
4. Pani Puri
Pani Puri or Gol Gappa is a popular street food across India. In Chennai, the locals head over to Mint Street to snack on
pani puris. Among the various street vendors, one particular vendor stands out. It is for Vishnu's Pani puris that people
queue up. He has been in the business for more than 40 years and to this day sells pani puris from the exact same spot.
Top 3 places to eat Pani Puri in Chennai
Vishnu's Pani Puris
Gangotree
Shree Mithai
Source
5. Uthappam
Uthappam is another popular South Indian dish. Unlike a dosa, it is a lot thicker and filled with vegetables and is usually
served with sambar or chutney. No other place serves better Uthappams than Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre which has been
selling the same items for 36 years. Located in Mint Street, George Town, people come here from all across Chennai to
indulge in their only two dishes, ghee uthappam and ghee idli.
Top 3 Places to Eat Uthappam in Chennai
Saravana Bhavan
Saravana Bhavan
Anachi Dosai Kadai
Ratna Cafe
Source
6. Bhajji
Bhajjis, similar to a pakora, is a snack that is popular in many parts of India. In Chennai, this is served with different
chutneys and is loved by the locals. Jannal Kadai in Mylapore is a small window shop where people line up to have their
bhajis with a special chutney. One can also find some excellent bhaji outlets on East Mada Road.
Top 3 Places to Eat Bhajji in Chennai
Mak N Bhajji Shop
Nair Mess
Jannal Kadai in Mylapore
Source
7. Jalebi
Jalebi is a sweet which is loved by one all. It is usually served with rabri, but one can have it by itself as well. Ram Prasad's
Jalebii stall in Sowcarpet is where one can find the crispiest jalebis. He has been in business for more than 20 years and
has a huge customer base.
Top 3 Places to Eat Jalebi in Chennai
Ram Prasad's Jalebi stall
Shubh
Rotiwala
Source
8. Puttu
Puttu is a breakfast dish made from rice and topped with coconut. In Chennai, under the North Usman Flyover, a guy by
the name of Ismail sells puttus made from black rice. The puttus are garnished with coconut and sugar and are priced at
just INR 10 per packet. One must give these a shot.
Top 3 Places to Eat Puttu in Chennai
Maplai
Nair Mess
Ente Keralam
9. Sundal
Sundal is one of the most popular street foods in Chennai. It is made from boiled chickpeas mixed with onions and
finished off with shredded coconut. You can find this at many beaches in Chennai, but the one at the Marina Beach is
worth trying.
Top 3 Places to Eat Sundal in Chennai
Mathsya
OSB hot and chat
Royal Sandwich
Source
10. Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a lot like noodles but is made with rice flour and is usually served with coconut milk or a curry. It is very
popular in the Southern states of India and is mainly a breakfast dish. Head over to Srinivasan Road in T Nagar, where
you'll find various food stalls selling this culinary treat.
Top 3 Places to Eat Idiyappam in Chennai
ID
Kaaraikudi
Kozhi Idli
Cost for two: INR 100 (Approx)
Source
12. Samosa
Samosa is the go-to snack for everyone on a rainy day or a cold winter afternoon. It is very popular in India and is of
various kinds. In Chennai, people usually go to Sowcarpet to indulge in chaat items. However, Sri Karpagambal Kapali
Sweet Stall in Mylapore is where you will find some lip-smacking onion samosas. They are tiny but are heavenly. You can
also snack on mint pakoras, both being very easy on the pocket.
Top 3 Places to Eat Samosa in Chennai
Sri Karpagambal Kapali Sweet Stall
The Samosa Factory
Samosa Treat
Cost for two: INR 100 (Approx)
Source
13. Kulfi
Kulfi, a denser and creamier version of ice cream, can be found everywhere across the country. In Chennai, people line up
outside the small outlet of Tewary's in Lake Area which serves various types of kulfis from the traditional malai ones to
the newer coffee flavour ones. You can also find various kulfi stalls on Mint Street.
Top 3 Places to Eat Kulfi in Chennai
Bombay Kulfi
King's Kulfi and Natural Ice cream
Kulfi House
Source
14. Dosa
Dosa is a staple food of South India readily available at every street corner. They are made from rice and are crisp, light
and also easy on the pocket. You can find various food stalls in T. Nagar area which serve Podi Dosa usually with ghee.
They are available at a price of INR 30 and are delicious.
Top 3 Places to Eat Dosa in Chennai
Remix Dosa
Krishna's Dosa Kadai
Dosart
Source
16. Murukku
Murukku literally means "twisted" in Tamil. Rice flour and Urad Dal flour are kneaded together with spices asafoetida, chilli
powder and sesame, twisted to form a coil-like form and deep-fried. Murukku is one of the best snacks in Chennai.
17. Boli
Boli is a South Indian sweet snack which is also known by names like Puran Poli, Holige, Obbattu in various states of the
south and central India. A traditional Boli is made like a chapati stuffed with mashed Bengal gram, sugar, ghee, cardamom
and nutmeg.
Source
18. Jigarthanda
Jigarthanda literally means "Cool Heart". It is a cooling drink, originally from Madurai, is found in various places of Tamil
Nadu. The main ingredients in the delicious drink are milk, almond gum, root syrup, sugar syrup and ice-cream.