Top 13 Tamil Foods

Mason & Co is an Indian bean-to-bar chocolate maker recognized for its organic, vegan and minimalist approach to production. The brand sources cacao directly from small farmers in South India - primarily Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - using exclusively single-origin beans that are processed in small batches in their own workshop. The production involves hand-sorting, slow fermentation, precise roasting and fine grinding, with much of the work done by women from nearby rural communities, a key part of the brand’s ethical mission. Their chocolates contain no emulsifiers, soy, gluten or artificial additives, focusing instead on the natural flavor profile of cacao and pure ingredients such as sea salt, spices or organic nuts. Alongside dark chocolate bars in various cacao percentages, they offer cacao powder, cacao butter, nibs and baking products, positioning Mason & Co as one of the pioneers of high-quality, sustainable and transparent chocolate making in India.Expand

Chitra'm Craft Chocolates is a chocolate producer located in Tamil Nadu, India. The company specializes in crafting artisanal chocolates using locally sourced ingredients. Chitra'm emphasizes ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in their production process. Their product range includes a variety of handcrafted chocolate bars and confections.Expand

Soklet is a chocolate producer based in Tamil Nadu, India, notable for being the country's first tree-to-bar chocolate maker. They manage the entire chocolate-making process from growing cacao on their own plantation to processing it into finished bars. Soklet utilizes organic farming techniques and emphasizes sustainable practices in their production process. They offer a variety of chocolate flavors that incorporate Indian-origin ingredients, reflecting local tastes and traditions.Expand

Ramajeyam Rice is one of the most respected and well-known producers of high-quality rice from India. The company has over four decades of experience in processing and distributing traditional Indian rice. Its legacy stems from a family passion for premium rice, and today it operates under a modern brand recognized across South India and internationally. The brand specializes in the finest rice varieties, with a particular focus on Seeraga Samba. Their Seeraga Samba rice is especially valued for its delicate aroma and short, non-sticky grains, making it ideal for preparing luxurious biryani. The company has the capacity to produce thousands of tons of rice annually and exports its products to more than 10 countries. Ramajeyam Rice bridges the traditional flavors of South India with a modern approach to food production – reliable, aromatic, and authentically local.Expand

Chicken 65 is a classic poultry dish with origins in Chennai, India. It consists of deep-fried chicken that is marinated in ginger, lemon, red chiles, and a variety of other spices. There are a few theories about the origin of chicken 65. The most popular theory says that it was created in Tamil Nadu by A. M. Buhari in 1965. Another one says that the original dish was made with 65 hot chili peppers, as a testament of manliness. There are also some unlikely theories, such as the one claiming that the chicken was cut into 65 pieces, or that the chicken was 65 days old when the dish was prepared. Due to the dish's popularity, there are numerous variations, and each South Indian state has its own version. In Karnataka, the dish is garnished with grated coconut, and in Andhra Pradesh, the chicken is cooked instead of fried. Chicken 65 is commonly served with hot, red chutneys.Expand

Madras is a traditional curry that's characterized by its spiciness and complex flavors. Although there are many variations, it's typically made with a combination of chicken or lamb, onions, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, lemon juice, cinnamon, oil, coconut milk, and a spice mix consisting of madras curry powder, chili powder, dried fenugreek, and salt. The curry shouldn't be too thick, and if it does, it's enough to add a bit of curry base, not water. Once prepared, this spicy curry is usually garnished with chopped cilantro before it's served. The dish can also be prepared with lamb or beef instead of chicken, but it's then called ghoust madras.Expand

Paper dosa is a traditional pancake originating from Tamil Nadu. These wafer-thin crispy pancakes are usually made with a combination of basmati rice, urad dal (black grams), fenugreek seeds, ghee, and salt. The rice is processed into a thick paste and soaked in water. The urad dal is also soaked in water, and both are left to soak overnight. The next day, urad dal is drained, mixed with fenugreek, and processed into a paste. The two pastes are mixed together, left to stand overnight, and seasoned with salt. The batter is then fried in a skillet over medium heat until dry, and some ghee is spread in the center and on the sides. The dosa is cooked until golden brown and crisp. It's rolled up and served hot with sambar and coconut chutney.Expand

Sambar is a popular curry dish prepared with a tamarind-based broth, lentils, and vegetables. It originates from Tamil Nadu, but it is also very popular in Sri Lanka and throughout South India. The dish is traditionally served with steamed rice or various Indian flatbreads. Sambar was created as a mistake by the Maratha ruler Shivaji's son named Sambhaji. As the head chef was away, Sambhaji wanted to prepare dal for himself, and he added a bit of tamarind into the pot during the cooking process. The royal chefs scolded him, since tamarind is not used in dal. However, Sambhaji loved the dish and named it sambar, after himself. Today, there are numerous variations on the dish such as seafood sambar, chicken sambar, and even the unusual milk sambar.Expand

Masala vada or chana dal vada is a traditional fritter originating from Tamil Nadu. Although there are variations, this tea-time snack is usually made with a combination of chana dal, onions, ginger, curry leaves, fennel seeds, dried red hot peppers, vegetable oil, and salt. The chana dal, fennel seeds, and dried hot peppers are soaked in water for two hours, drained, and the mixture is processed into a coarse paste. The paste is mixed with onions, ginger, curry leaves, and some of the reserved chana dal. The mixture is seasoned with salt and formed into round patties. They are deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown, and then served with chutney.Expand

Visually similar to a pizza, uttapam is a South Indian dish consisting of a batter (based on rice and lentils) that is fried and topped with chopped vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, carrots, and chiles. There is also a version of the dish called mini uttapam, usually served in four pieces per portion, with variable toppings and a number of side dishes. Traditionally, uttapam is accompanied by sambhar on the side - a rich lentil curry with the addition of onions, coconut, and eggplant.Expand

Putu mayam is a popular street food dish with origins either in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu or Kerala. Although it is south Indian in origin, it is also extremely popular in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Indonesia. The dish consists of rice or idiyappam flour noodles which are topped with desiccated coconut and sweetened with sugar blocks. The noodles are made by passing the dough through a sieve (usually a traditional rattan basket with holes), and then they are steamed in the same basket, imparting a wood-like aroma to the noodles. Traditionally, putu mayam is served on a banana leaf, for easier consumption. It can be used as an accompaniment for meat dishes or curries. The name of the dish stems from two words, putu, Malayan for rice cake, and mayam, which is derived from the word mayang, meaning desiccated coconut.Expand

This sweet, buttery dish is made with freshly harvested new rice, jaggery and ghee (clarified butter), with the addition of dried coconut, sesame seeds, raisins, milk, and cashew nuts. Sakkarai pongal is traditionally prepared as an offering to the Sun God during Makar Sankranti, a three-day harvest festival in mid-January, celebrated in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The rice is typically cooked outdoors over a fire, with the cooking pots turned to the East, where the sun rises, and it is also customary to allow the dish to pongal, meaning to boil over during cooking, which symbolizes an abundance of food. This creamy, aromatic porridge is traditionally served alongside savory donuts called vadas and coconut chutney.Expand

Murukku is a popular Indian snack with a crunchy texture, usually made with rice flour and urad dal bean flour, combined together into a spiral-shaped paste that is deep-fried in oil. Most of these savory snacks are additionally flavored with cumin, onion powder, or chili. Originating from Tamil Nadu, its name means twisted, referring to its unusual shape. Today, it is widely available throughout India, but it is most popular in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and of course, Tamil Nadu. Murukku is often prepared for Indian festivities such as Diwali, Krishna Jayanti, and Vinayaka Chaturthi. Due to its great popularity, there are different versions of the snack, so it is sometimes dusted with sesame seeds and salt, while minced vegetables are often added to the paste before cooking.Expand

Anchovy 65 or Nethili 65 is a traditional dish originating from Tamil Nadu. The dish consists of anchovies that are fried until crunchy. The anchovies are usually marinated in a mix of yogurt, lemon juice, chili powder, garam masala, black pepper, turmeric, and rice flour before they're fried in hot oil. The dish is served as an appetizer or an evening snack on weekends. It's always served hot, ideally with lemon wedges on the side.Expand