10 Delectable Street Food You must try in Chennai

Nothing can beat Street Food! If you want to feel the culture & tradition of any new place, never miss out to try the delicacy of street food there. In Chennai, you will find an amazing variety of snacks, breakfast items, savory, sweets to hot & cold beverages.Let’s drool over! 

1. Dosa

A dosa is a pancake made from rice flour and ground pulses typically served with a spiced vegetable filling. Every roadside stall will serve you different variations from Plain Dosa to Masala Dosa, Rava Dosa, and even Onion Dosa.

Approximate Cost: Rs 20 to 50 (Plain Dosa); Rs 30 to 60 (Masala Dosa); Rs 60 to 80 (Rava Dosa)

Try where?  Vrindavan Restaurant at Mylapore & Ratna Café at Triplicane

2. Murukku Sandwich

Murukku is a savory, crunchy snack made from rice flour. The dish is made up of two Murukkus stacked with tomato, cucumber, and onion one above the other, topped with grated cheese & sprinkled with sev (noodle type snack made of ground flour)

Approximate Cost: Rs 50 (Plain Murukku Sandwich); Rs 70 (Cheese Murukku Sandwich)

Try where? Kayendhi Bhavans in Jaya Nagar, Links in Purusawalkam.

3. Idiyappam

If you like to experiment with new things, Idiyappam is a must-try in Chennai. It is a South Indian version of noodles, made with rice flour and is usually served with coconut milk or a curry or sambhar.

Approximate Cost: Rs 90 (2 pieces with a side dish); Rs 100 (4 pieces with a side dish)

Try where? Various food stalls located near Srinivasan Road in T Nagar

4. Sundal

Want to try a tasty street food but a healthy one?  Sundal is the must-try snack made from boiled chickpeas sautéed in little oil with mustard, tossed with spices w mixed with onions and is garnished shredded coconut. Sandals sold at Marina Beach is the speciality of this place.

Approximate Cost: Rs 10- 20 per cone

Try where? Mathsya in Adyar & O.S.B Hot and Chat in West Mamblam.

5. Idly

Idly is a savory rice cake served with hot sizzling sambhar and different chutneys.

Approximate Cost: Rs 14-20 (per piece plain idli); Rs 20-30 (2 pieces plain idli); Rs 25-40 (ghee podi idli)

Try where?  Murugan Idly Shop at Perambur, Besant Nagar, Nanganallur, G.N. Chetty Road & other restaurant locations. You may also try at Idly Factory at Mylapore.

6. Uthappam

This thick pancake topped with tomatoes, onions, chillies and capsicum looks like an Indian pizza. Though a common breakfast dish, you can find many people snacking on this in the evenings as well.

Approximate Cost: Rs 60-70

Try where? Saravana Bhavan at Egmore, VGP Annachi Dosa Kadai at Injambakkam

7.Puttu

Puttu is a breakfast bowl fabricated from rice and topped with coconut served along with gravies like fish curry, chicken curry or kadala (chickpea) curry and papadum. Plantain, jackfruit, mango or banana is also served with it.

Approximate Cost: Rs 50-60 (without curry)

Try where? Maplai at Nungambakkam, Nair Mess at Chepauk, Ente Keralam at Alwarpet

8. Jigarthanda

Originated from Madurai, Jigarthanda means a cool heart. the drink is made with milk, almond gum, root syrup, sugar syrup, and ice-cream.

Approximate Cost: Rs 30-40 (Mini); Rs 60-70 (Regular)

Try where? Jigarthanda at OMR Food Street.

9. Parottas:

Similar to famous North India Laccha Parathas, Chennai has its own version of Kothu Paratha smashed and served with veg, egg or meat curry. It is usually served with a spicy sauce called salna and onion raita.

Approximate Cost: Rs 60 to 70 (Chilli Parotta); Rs 80 to 90 (Egg Parotta); Rs 90 to 110 (Chicken Parotta)

Try where? Courtallam Border Rahmath Kadai at T. Nagar, Animal Kingdom at Adyar.

10. Atho

Looking for a break from south Indian street food, try Atho. It is a Burmese dish, which is made up of noodles and is served with vegetables. Varieties include atho noodles and stuffed egg masala.

Approximate Cost: Rs 50-70 (Veg Atho); Rs 70 to 80 (Egg Atho); Rs 90 to 100 (Chicken Atho)

Try where? Atho Man in Royapuram & Tiruvottiyur, Atho Corner in Madipakkam