The city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the biggest cities in South India. Chennai is not only regarded as the safest city in India but is also known as ‘India’s health capital.’ When it comes to food, Chennai is one of the best cities in India that offers the combination of scrumptious dishes with a variety of spices and condiments. There are a lot of hotels in Chennai that are popular for offering mouth-watering food, especially South Indian food. South Indian cuisine is famous throughout the nation. Idli and dosa in particular have become staple dishes for numerous street food vendors. However, it is interesting that the flourishing street food scene of Chennai is not occupied just by idli and dosa. Apart from regular South Indian street food, the streets of Chennai are filled with numerous outlets that offer delicious variety of North Indian, Gujarati, and Burmese dishes. So, here are some of the most famous street foods in Chennai.
Street Foods in Chennai:
- Bhajji
- Idli
- Sundal
- Chaat
- Puttu
- Uthappam
- Dosa
- Thukpa
- Athouk
- Kothu Parotta
Best Veg Street Food in Chennai
A common belief among the people is that South Indian street food is filled with seafood in addition to idli and dosa. But, street foods in Chennai offer an eclectic mix of veg delicacies as well. Here is a list of the best veg street food in Chennai:
1. Bhajji, Chennai
Bhajji
Bhajji is very famous in Chennai, no not the Indian off-spinner (well, he is famous too), but the street food. Bhajji is a South Indian version of pakora, but the taste varies enough for even North Indians to love it. Served with spicy and tangy chutney, a plate of freshly fried and spicy bhajji can be found quite easily in Chennai.
Top Places to eat Bhajji in Chennai
- Jannal Kadai
- Nair Mess
- Mak N Bhajji Shop
Approximate cost for two: INR 100
2. Muruku & Muruku Sandwich, Chennai
Muruku & Muruku Sandwich
Muruku is a crunchy snack made from a combination of gram and rice flour, with salt and cumin seeds mixed into the dough, then deep fried. While Murukus might look like jalebi, they are salty to taste and are served with hot tea, and are very popular among the locals. However, murukus have evolved over time; several restaurants and street food places in Chennai have come up with mururku sandwich. The idea is to replace bread from the traditional sandwich with muruku pieces and add the rest of the ingredients like cucumber, tomato and onion slices between them.
Top Places to eat Muruku in Chennai
- Links, Purasawakkam
- Ajanabi
- Feastinn
Approximate cost for two: INR 150
3. Sundal, Chennai
Sundal
A very popular and tasty street food in Chennai, Sundal is found at many beaches. However, the ones found at Marina Beach are considered to be the best. Sundal is made from boiled chickpeas mixed with onions, an assortment of spices, herbs, and topped off with shredded coconut. It is an exotic street food worthy of the exotic city.
Top Places to eat Sundal in Chennai
- Royal Sandwich
- OSB hot and chat
- Mathsya
Approximate cost for two: INR 30
4. Chaat, Chennai
Chaat
Chaat is one street food that is beloved in every part of the nation. It is savory in taste and can be found in most places being sold at roadsides. Chaat has numerous variations, each differing from the others minutely based on ingredients, taste, and appearance.
Top Places to eat Chaat in Chennai
- Kakada Ramprasad Chats and Sweets
- Hemanth Chats
- Ganga Chats
Approximate cost for two: INR 50
5. Puttu, Chennai
Puttu
Puttu is a dish made from rice flour and coconut, and a staple for many households in Chennai. The rice flour is mixed with a few spices and then steamed in special cylinders (puttu kutti vessels).
Top Places to eat Puttu in Chennai
- Nair Mess
- Ente Keralam
- Maplai
Approximate cost for two: INR 300
Interesting Fact – A guy named Ismail sells puttu under the North Usman Flyover. If you are wondering why the guy is famous, well, he serves puttu made from black rice. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
6. Uthappam, Chennai
Uthappam
Uthappam is a very popular South Indian dish not just in South India but in all parts of the nation. Even though uthappam appears like a dosa, it is thicker and has vegetables mixed in the batter, and is served with chutney or sambar.
Top Places to eat Uthappam in Chennai
- Sheena Bhai Tiffin Centre
- Anachi Dosai Kadai
- Sarvana Bhavan
Approximate cost for two: INR 150
7. Dosa, Chennai
Dosa
Along with idly, dosa is the most famous south Indian street food. It is best described as a pancake made of fermented rice and urad batter. There are a number of variations of dosa, but traditionally, it is served with sambar and coconut chutney, and a stuffing of potatoes.
Top Places to eat Uthappam in Chennai
- Dosart
- Krishna’s Dosa Kadai
- Dosart
Approximate cost for two: INR 200
8. Idiyappam, Chennai
Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a breakfast dish that is described by many as South Indian noodles. Made from rice flour, they are prepared the same way as conventional noodles but served with curry and coconut milk.
Top Places to eat Idiyappam in Chennai
- Kaaraikudi
- ID
- Kozhiidi
Approximate cost for two: INR 100
9. Idli, Chennai
Idli
Last on this list, but definitely not the least, is idli. Everyone knows about idli as it is the most popular South Indian dish that is agreeable to every type of palate. Its batter is made of fermented black lentils (urad), and some variations also contain a combination of spices. The batter is then steamed in a special tray, then piping hot idlis are served with chutney and sambhar
Top Places to eat Idly in Chennai
- Murugan Idly Shop
- Idly Express
- Idly Express
Approximate cost for two: INR 200
Best Non Veg Street Food in Chennai
Street food in Chennai is not limited to just veg dishes, but include a plethora of non veg dishes as well. And let us tell you, it is not just seafood; there is more to non veg street food in Chennai than fishes. Here is our list:
1. Thukpa, Chennai
Thukpa
A very famous non-veg street food in Chennai is the Tibetan import, thukpa. Thukpa is best described as noodle soup. The thukpa in Chennai is generally served in beef broth with a variety of vegetables and beef chunks.
Top Places to eat Thukpa in Chennai
- Kailash Kitchen
- Dallay
- Instant Karma
Approximate cost for two: INR 250
Also Read: Places to Visit in South India
2. Athouk, Chennai
Athouk
Athouk is a kind of Burmese salad with boiled eggs served with a traditional soup called Mohinga. A variation of Athouk with noodles is also very popular among the locals. It is a really old recipe from the far away lands of Burma which has almost literally merged with the food culture of Chennai.
Top Places to eat Athouk in Chennai
- A number of stalls at the Burma Bazar
Approximate cost for two: INR 150
3. Atho, Chennai
Atho
Another Burmese dish famous in Chennai is Atho. Atho is essentially orange noodles mixed a multitude of spices, vegetables, and meat. While Veg Atho is also available at many places in Chennai, Egg Atho and Chicken Atho are more popular among the locals.
Top Places to eat Atho in Chennai
- Atho Man
- Mulberry Star Burma Atho Shop
- Atho Corner
Approximate cost for two: INR 200
4. Kothu Parotta, Chennai
Kothu Parotta
Parotta is a flatbread made from flour and is very similar to the North Indian Laccha Parathas. However, Kothu Parotta is basically shredded parotta. But, that is not the end of it; the shredded parotta is mixed with vegetables, egg or meat.
Top Places to eat Kothu Parotta in Chennai
- Maplai
- Madurai Kumar Mess
- Thambi Vilas
Approximate cost for two: INR 350
Feeling the Urge to Grab a Bite?
After going through the list, you must be feeling the urge to go out and eat. While you can go to any of the best restaurants in Chennai, you must also taste the street food that the city offers. There are a lot of shops and stalls in Chennai that offer street food of various styles and regions. So, the next time you are visiting any of the shopping malls in Chennai, grab some delicious and cheap street food on the way. If you are in Chennai, you should check out our comprehensive list of museums in Chennai. But if you are not one for staying indoors, and fancy yourself as an explorer and adventurer, then check out hill stations near Chennai and waterfalls in Chennai. If you are looking for a memorable place to share with your ‘special someone’ then look through our list of the best romantic places in Chennai.
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