Authentic Andhra Meal at National Lodge Mess, George Town, Chennai

Authentic Andhra Meal served in Banana leaf.

Govindappa Naicken Street, George Town, Chennai

Govindappa Naicken Street, George Town Chennai

If you are salivating over  hot Avakkai pickle or spicy gongura pachadi (chutney) or as an inveterate lover of authentic Andhra bhojanam (Andhra meal), then make a trip to National Lodge located at No.112, Govindappa Naicken Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai. The oldest three storey building with narrow winding staircase now housing the nondescript lodge (second floor)and the Andhra mess (first floor). At the entrance the cash counter is surrounded by people and the small Que waiting for their turn at the dingy (a.c and non a.c) dining halls.

Since Andhra Pradesh is the state of largest producer of rice and the hub of red chillies in India , Andhra cuisine is mostly based on rice and hot and spicy side dishes. Yes the mouth watering Andhra delicacies use spices and oil liberally.

They serve the Andhra meal in banana leaf; to start with sweet dish, pickle, condiments, thalinpoo (vegetable fry) and the mound of steaming rice. They also serve their unique spicy lentil powder (paruppu podi), avakkai (raw mango) pickle, gongura (sorrel leaves) pachadi and hot  ghee and it will make to feel the taste as divine if taken after with mixing with rice. The rice courses, if combined with authentic red hued sambar, kara pulusu (hot and spicy stew), majjika pulusu (buttermilk stew) and rasam (South Indian tamarind soup), are unique and traditional. To end with they serve a cup of thick curd and a spoon full of sugar and the taste is awesome. You are free to take a cup of buttermilk (poured in curd cup). The big meal will make you to feel sumptuous,  satisfied and sleepy too.

Murugan Idly shop: Authentic Madurai food at Chennai

Authentic Madurai food is served in Murugan Idli shop, a chain of restaurant in Chennai

 Restaurant

Soft Puffy Idli - Chutney varieties and Sambar served in banana leaf



 Cool and thick Jigarthanda

Murugan Idli Kadai (Murugan Idly Shop) is the chain of restaurants from the temple city Madurai and there are 12 restaurants in Chennai (at least five restaurants are located in T.Nagar zone. The restaurant is well known for soft and puffy white idlies (Indian rice cake) and they serve with different chutney varieties and sambar in banana leaf. Also chilli powder and gingely oil are served at extra cost. The restaurant’s menu includes idly, vada, dosa, masala dosa, ghee pongal, sweet pongal, banana bajji etc. Water is served in disposable cup placed in perforated steel tumbler.

The main attraction of this restaurant is Madurai special Jigarthanda, (meaning liver cool) unique and tasty cool drink served in the kiosk outside the restaurant.

Karpagambal Mess, Mylapore, Chennai

Mylai Karpagambal Mess at 20, East Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai, 600004 is a South Indian Restaurant best known for common South Indian breaksfast menu.  This fairly small eatery, refurbished recently, has become  synonymous with traditional South Indian vegetarian breakfast. The atmosphere of the a.c and non a.c. dining halls are filled with the ,mixed aroma of scented sticks, strong authentic coffee, sambar and pongal.   

It is a small restaurant with reasonably priced quality menu items.  The food items like idly, dosa, pongal, Medhu Vada, Keera Vada and Thavala Vada was served hot in banana leaf and was very authentic and tasty. The coffee was also very authentic with the right amount of sugar and strength. The cash counter was manned by the middle aged person and he is also found running into the kitchen, takes the order and serve breakfast also.