Exploring Various Cuisines in Chennai

chillibreeze writer — Vinita Nayar

Chennai’s culinary landscape has transformed, and how!

Remember the time when eating out meant heading to a Chinese restaurant, which would serve you corn flour rich Indianised gravies, or an evening out meant tucking into naans and tandoori chicken? When idli, dosa and vadas reigned supreme? When Continental cuisine meant bakes slathered in white sauce? Basically cuisine was divided up into Tandoori, Chinese and Continental with the udipi joints dishing up our masala dosas, upmas and filter coffee. Then came Chettinad cuisine and pizzas and burgers. Slowly, the Chennai culinary landscape was transforming. From idlis to pizzas was quite a jump but still, there was something missing…

Well, the good news is that there’s been a gastronomic revolution is Chennai. Today, the city boasts of a whole horde of authentic cuisine restaurants that serve up lips-smacking food. Be it Thai, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern…you can find a restaurant that will serve you the bona fide stuff. Even in terms of Indian cuisine, there’s so much on offer – from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Coorg and Chettinad, to Rajasthani, Gujarati and Bengali food…. there’s something for everyone.

“In the gourmet world, Chennai has opened up,” declares Chef Nobhojit Ghose of Taj Coromandel. “People in Chennai are travelling and have got exposure to international cuisines and have developed an understanding of these cuisines. Chennaiites are adapting to new worlds and the new styles we are bringing in and are open to new concepts.” Prego, the fine dining Italian restaurant at Taj Coromandel has become popular not just with expats but locals as well. “Italian meant pastas and pizza,” says Nobhojit. And Prego has steered clear of serving either of these! “Initially there were stumbling blocks,” he admits. “But we encourage guests to try out dishes and once the barrier is broken, it is very well received.”

“Eating out has become a regular feature in our otherwise busy corporate lives and you may even say that we can be considered regulars at the various restaurants that keep springing up in the city,” says banker, Vivek Menon. “It is a fact that this city scores over many others in terms of its ability to dish out authentic fare especially when it comes to Thai and continental food. One may even say that the Italian, Mexican, French and Mediterranean restaurants that we frequent in this city are comparable in terms of authenticity to the best in other parts of the western world. “

“I think it is going to be an era of ethnic cuisine,” predicts Chef Rajesh of The Park. “I feel people are more adventurous and have travelled; exposure has improved and awareness levels have increased. After travelling, once back home, people want to try out what they tried abroad.” Talking about Lotus, the Thai restaurant at The Park, he says, “There are lots of locals visiting the place,” and adds, “Definitely the culture of eating out has changed – be it for celebrations or a family event, people are dining out.”

“New companies are coming in, there are many expats in the city and the local people are travelling around the world,” says Chef Samir of Taj Connemara. “Regular exposure to other cuisines is making them try out authentic cuisine.” Hip Asia, the pan Asian restaurant at Taj Connemara is almost always packed with guests. The Teppinyaki counter is a huge hit. He says, “We have loyal customers who come only for that. Three to five years back, if you asked a customer to have raw fish with rice they would have got up and walked away!”

Marketing Consultant, Minnie Menon sums it up satisfactorily, ““Chennai has exploded both on the business front and in lifestyle terms. Becoming a global player in major business sectors is a key driver of this change. For example if Hyundai had not come to Chennai, Korean restaurants are unlikely to have made an appearance. Travels to foreign shores on work or holiday have made us more adventurous and discerning as far as our palates are concerned. Chennai’s expat community has increased enormously. Their influence also has altered culinary attitudes and lifestyles of Chennai residents: Spanish tapas, authentic croissants from a French boulangerie, Italian gelatos and of course the ever-popular pizza are among the tongue-tripping options emerging. We have Subway and McDonald’s on one level and specialty and fine dining restaurants on the other. And all this in what was once perceived as the land of idli and dosa!”

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—About our writer:

Vinita,

A freelance writer who loves food, dogs and books!

Exploring Various Cuisines in Chennai

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