25 South Indian Food & Dishes That Are World Famous

South Indian foods are widely famous for their unique flavors, taste, and diversity in food items. South Indian recipes are not only delicious but also healthy and nutritious as they are curated carefully according to nutritional needs. If you are a foodie and would like to try flavourful South Indian dishes, in this article we have listed 25 South Indian dishes that are world famous.

1. Idli

Idli - Famous South Indian Dish — Idli – Famous South Indian Dish

Idli is a traditional South Indian dish that is served as breakfast in South Indian households throughout the country. Idli is made with a batter consisting of fermented lentils and rice steamed and served hot. Idlies are served alongside sambar or chutney seasoned with spices.

There are also other varieties of Idli Rava idli which uses semolina instead of rice in the batter and Malli Idli in which Idlis are fried with curry leaves and coriander.

2. Sambhar

Sambhar - Famous South Indian Dish — Sambhar – Famous South Indian Dish

Sambhar is one of the most popular South Indian recipes prepared with tamarind-based broth, lentils, and vegetables that originally originated from Tamil Nadu.

3. Masala Dosa

Masala Dosa - Famous South Indian Dish — Masala Dosa – Famous South Indian Dish

Masala dosa is made out of fermented rice and black beans that are soaked and ground into a paste to make a thick batter. The batter is then left to ferment overnight to get a delicious taste. A handful of fenugreek seeds added to the batter gives a distinctive golden brown color to the dosa making it delicious and crispy.

It is one of the most preferred ancient South Indian dishes even today. However, masala dosa is stuffed with masala made out of a mix of boiled, mashed potatoes, and chopped onions.

Also Read: 10 Best healthy food items to east for glowing skin!

4. Vada

Vada - Famous South Indian Dish — Vada – Famous South Indian Dish

Vadas are soft doughnut-shaped recipes that are deep fried in oil to get a distinctive color and taste. Vada is commonly served with coconut chutney or sambar and is one of the most eaten and loved South Indian dishes.

5. Appam

Appam - Famous South Indian Dish — Appam – Famous South Indian Dish

Appam is a South Indian dish made out of fermented rice batter that originally originated in Kerala. It is preferably served as breakfast and in dinner along with the coconut chutney or a kurma. Coconut is the main ingredient of the dish making it so delicious.

6. Puttu

Puttu - Famous South Indian Dish — Puttu – Famous South Indian Dish

Puttu is another South Indian dish that originated in Kerala that is served as breakfast and is considered super healthy. Puttus are made in a cup or cylindrical-shaped container where the batter is loosely stuffed allowing the steam to pass through it to get a soft and fluffy texture.

7. Pesarattu

Pesarattu - Famous South Indian Dish — Pesarattu – Famous South Indian Dish

Pesarattu is a healthy dish that originally originated from Andhra Pradesh. It is a dosa made out of batter from soaked green moong dal, ginger, chilies, and onions.

Also Read: 6 Best delicious Street foods in Mumbai

8. Rasam Rice

Rasam is a healthy recipe for digestion and is consumed for lunch or dinner in South India. Rasam is a soup-like texture that has a unique taste of spices, tamarind, and vegetables.

9. Puliyogare

Puliyogare - Famous South Indian Dish — Puliyogare – Famous South Indian Dish

Puliyogare is known as tamarind rice in South India. The classic recipe is spicy yet tangy and another specialty about this is it tastes better after a few hours it’s cooked. Puliyogare is a traditional recipe usually made for auspicious occasions and is also offered as a prasad at temples.

10. Pazham Pori

Pazham Pori - Famous South Indian Dish — Pazham Pori – Famous South Indian Dish

Pazham Pori is a Kerala snack that is filled with various flavors like crispy, soft, and sweet.

Also Read: 6 Best & Famous Restaurants For foodies in Trichy!

11. Bisi Bele Bhath

Bisi Bele Bhath - Famous South Indian Dish — Bisi Bele Bhath – Famous South Indian Dish

Bisi Bele Bhath is a traditional South Indian rice Dish originating from Karnataka. It is similar to Sambar rice from Tamil Nadu. It tastes best when served along with fried papad and raita.

12. Paniyaram

Paniyaram - Famous South Indian Dish — Paniyaram – Famous South Indian Dish

Paniyaram is made out of the same batter as idli or dosa. But it is cooked on a specific pan to get the shape of perfect roundels.

13. Vatha Kuzhambu

Vatha Kuzhambu - Famous South Indian Dish — Vatha Kuzhambu – Famous South Indian Dish

Vatha Kuzhambu is a delicious and spicy gravy that is served on many traditional marriage occasions.

14. Pesarapappu Payasam

Pesarapappu Payasam - Famous South Indian Dish — Pesarapappu Payasam – Famous South Indian Dish

Pesara Pappu payasam is a sweet delicacy used in South Indian families for auspicious occasions. It is similar to Kheer where moong dal, coconut milk, and jaggery are used to prepare it.

15. Uttapam

Uttapam - Famous South Indian Dish — Uttapam – Famous South Indian Dish

Uttapam is made out of the same batter that is used for idli and dosa. But uttapam is much thicker and smaller in size when compared with Dosa. Vegetables and onions are added on top of the uttapam while cooking, making it delicious.

16. Rava Idli

Rava Idli - Famous South Indian Dish — Rava Idli – Famous South Indian Dish

Rava idli is made out of batter from soaked dal and rice. It is similar to Idli and tastes delicious.

Also Read: 5 Best & Famous restaurants For foodies in Coimbatore!

17. Onion Rava Dosa

Onion Rava Dosa - Famous South Indian Dish — Onion Rava Dosa – Famous South Indian Dish

Onion Rava Dosa is crispy and tasty like regular Dosa. To prepare this, you need not grind or ferment the batter.

18. Adhirasam

Adhirasam - Famous South Indian Dish — Adhirasam – Famous South Indian Dish

It is one of the popular sweets prepared for special occasions like Diwali and the Janmashtami. Along with the taste, Adirasam is healthy and contains high protein.

19. Vangi Bath

Vangi Bath - Famous South Indian Dish — Vangi Bath – Famous South Indian Dish

Vangi Bath is also commonly called brinjal curry. This recipe is cooked with brinjal stuffed with spices, and onions and cooked directly on the flame in the Barbecue style.

20. Chicken 65

Chicken 65 - Famous South Indian Dish — Chicken 65 – Famous South Indian Dish

Chicken 65 is one of the most popular South Indian dishes that are available in most restaurants. This recipe is made with marinated chicken and after frying, it is tossed in yogurt sauce before serving.

21. Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi Biryani - Famous South Indian Dish — Hyderabadi Biryani – Famous South Indian Dish

Hyderabadi Biryani is a South Indian rice dish that is cooked with basmati rice, mutton or chicken, meat, lemon, yogurt, onions, and saffron. This is the unique process of cooking raw rice and raw meat together with exotic spices which gives an excellent taste.

Also Read: 6 Best Street Food in Salem Every Must Try atleast once in Lifetime!

22. Gongura

Gongura Pampu & Pachadi Famous South Indian Dish

Gongura is a popular recipe, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu in India. It is made out of a green leafy vegetable that has a distinctive tangy taste and is one of the main ingredients of Andhra cuisines. Apart from its taste, it is also an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

23. Mysore Bonda

Mysore Bonda is a delicious snack served in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Mysore Bonda is made out of flour or potatoes and is served alongside coconut chutney.

24. Upma

Upma is a popular South Indian breakfast dish made using family spices and herbs. It is super easy to prepare in just 20 minutes yet it is delicious and healthy.