Top 12 Southern Indian Rice Dishes

Hyderabadi biryani is a South Indian dish consisting of basmati rice, goat, mutton, or chicken meat, lemon, yogurt, onions, and saffron. There are two main varieties of the dish – kachchi (raw) and pakki (cooked). It is said that Hyderabadi biryani's richness of flavor is due to the unique process of cooking raw rice and raw meat together with exotic spices, unlike other places where meat and rice are cooked separately. The special cooking style, known as dum, is believed to have come from Persia during the Mughals' regime in India.Expand

Pulihora is a popular south Indian dish that can easily be found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It consists of rice, turmeric, tamarind, curry leaves, coriander, ginger, and green chiles. Additionally, yellow lentils, roasted sesame seed powder, and mustard seeds can be added to enhance the already rich flavors of the dish. It is commonly prepared for festivals, yellow in color due to turmeric - considered sacred and symbolizing festive occasions in the Hindu world. The word puli in its name means sour, reflecting the tangy flavor of the dish. However, spicy and salty flavors that are also present in the dish are well balanced with the sour tamarind. Other states also have their versions of pulihora, so in Tamil Nadu, it is called pulisadham, and in Karnataka, the dish is known as puliyogare. It is traditionally served with sun-dried chiles and yogurt (which is not vegan), making it a complete meal that is said to taste the best after resting for a couple of hours following its preparation.Expand

Malabar biryani is a special style of biryani that originates from the Malabar region of India, which is located along the southwestern coast of the country in the state of Kerala. What sets Malabar biryani apart is its distinctive flavor profile and ingredients. It's usually milder and less spicy than other biryani types and has a sweet and aromatic flavor. Unlike most other biryani types, which use basmati rice, Malabar biryani typically uses a local, short-grained, fragrant variety of rice known as kaima. While it can be made with a variety of meats, mutton and chicken are most common choices. The meat is usually marinated with spices and yogurt before being layered with the rice and cooked. The dish is typically prepared "dum" style, where partially cooked rice and marinated meat are layered in a vessel and then sealed. The biryani is then cooked over a low flame, allowing the flavors to infuse. Malabar biryani is typically served with pickles, raita (yogurt-based side dish), or boiled eggs. Expand

Paruppu sadam is one of the most popular side dishes from Tamil Nadu, consisting of rice and dal lentils which are seasoned with various spices and herbs such as garlic, chili, cumin, turmeric, and curry leaves. The whole dish can be made in a single pot, and its simplicity is the reason for its popularity. It is recommended to serve paruppu sadam with chips, potato curries, chutneys, or appalam.Expand

Malabar chicken biryani is a special style of biryani that originates from the Malabar region in India's state of Kerala, located along the country's southwestern coast. What's really special about it is the use of aromatic, short-grain rice kaima, which provides a distinctive texture and taste. The chicken in this biryani is marinated in spices and dahi, infusing it with a deep, succulent flavor. The blend of aromatic spices like star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and fennel seeds gives this biryani its unique, mildly sweet profile. Malabar chicken biryani is traditionally prepared "dum" style, which involves layering partially cooked rice and marinated chicken in a pot, sealing it, and then letting it slow-cook over a low flame. This method allows all the flavors to permeate the rice, resulting in an incredibly aromatic dish. The dish is served with raita or pickles.Expand

Bisi bele bath, translated to hot lentil rice, is an aromatic and spicy dish originating from the Indian state of Karnataka. Moist rice and lentils are combined with ghee butter, tamarind, curry leaves, nutmeg, and vegetables such as carrots, beans, onions, and green peas. According to K. T. Achaya, a food historian, bisi bele bath is a modern variation of an old dish from the 10th century called kattogara, consisting of rice, ghee, salt, and garlic. However, others disagree and claim that the dish was invented in Mysore Palace, near Bangalore, when it was a typical lunch meal that was additionally flavored with cashews, dried coconut, mustard seeds, and cinnamon. Originally, there were no vegetables in the dish since the royals had access to numerous vegetable-based side dishes. As time went by, bisi bele bath became popular outside of the palace and evolved in a rich farmer's meal that was typically consumed before lunch, after a few hours of hard labor in the fields. Today, the dish is consumed throughout the day, and it is also a popular picnic dish throughout Karnataka.Expand

The ultimate Indian comfort food known as curd rice is one of the favorite dishes of many south Indians. It is especially popular in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. This vegetarian meal consists of rice and dahi that is flavored with green chile peppers, minced ginger, curry leaves and mustard seeds, but it can also be enriched by adding carrots, calabash, and cucumbers, or even nuts, grapes, and pineapple pieces. In South Indian cuisine, curd rice is commonly served at the end of a meal in order to balance the spicy flavors of other foods and to aid with digestion. It is usually accompanied by roasted carrots and pickled mango or lime.Expand

Thalassery biryani is a type of biryani that hails from the town of Thalassery in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the Malabar coast. It uses a specific short-grain and aromatic rice called kaima rather than the long-grain basmati rice commonly used in many biryani dishes. This rice is native to the region and contributes a unique flavor and aroma to the dish. Unlike the traditional "dum" cooking method, where partially cooked rice and meat are layered and cooked together, in Thalassery biryani, the rice and meat are cooked separately before being layered and baked together. The preparation method ensures that the rice does not become overly sticky and retains its texture. While Thalassery biryani can be made with various kinds of meat, chicken and mutton are most commonly used. The meat is usually marinated with spices and dahi before being cooked. The dish is typically served with raita, pickles, and boiled eggs.Expand

Thengai sadam is a traditional rice dish originating from the southern parts of the country. The base of the dish consists of rice and grated coconut, and it's then seasoned with a variety of ingredients such as cumin, mustard seeds, hot peppers, ginger, asafoetida, curry leaves, salt, oil, and cashews. Once stir-fried and cooked until done, thengai sadam is typically served with flatbreads or curries on the side. Expand

Pulagam is a popular Indian rice dish that is usually prepared when one is sick and feeling tired, or as an offering to God during festivals such as Sankranti, where newly harvested rice and split green lentils are used in the preparation. Apart from rice and split green lentils, the dish consists of cumin seeds, ghee (clarified Indian butter), curry leaves, black pepper, and salt. Pulagam is traditionally served with a rich and thick groundnut chutney because the dish has a slightly dry texture. However, it is extremely tasty and highly nutritious, which might be the reason why it is so popular during religious celebrations in India.Expand