The traditional food of Karnataka is interesting and diverse, encompassing the flavors of several unique regions and cities. There is something to stimulate every taste bud in the state and here is a closer look at some of the best dishes that you should try on your next visit.
Top Traditional Food of Karnataka- Dishes Worth Trying
When it comes to the best traditional food of Karnataka, here are some options that you should not miss!
1. Neer Dosa
Karnataka is famous for its dosas and you should not miss this iconic Neer or water dosa (in the Tulu language) which uses rice. The latter goes through an overnight soaking process for a few hours minus any fermentation. You can have it with delicious chutney for an incredible taste, along with sambar and curry. It is readily available across several restaurants and street food outlets in Karnataka.
2. Korri Gassi
Korri equates to chicken, while Gassi stands for curry. To prepare the curry, chicken pieces go through an intensive cooking process with ground and fresh coconut and several spices. This is a recipe from Mangalore that makes it to the top of the list as far as traditional food of Karnataka is concerned. You can have it for lunch or dinner with Neer Dosa, set Dosa, or even Rotis.
3. Kundapura Koli Saaru
You will discover many interesting dishes in the Mangalore coastal belt. This traditional food of Karnataka is basically chicken curry with a unique style. The gravy contains ginger, garlic, coconut milk, onions, and many other spices. Have it with Roti, rice, or Neer Dosa for a fabulous lunch or dinner.
4. Mysore Masala Dosa
Any mention of the traditional food of Karnataka is incomplete without speaking about the Mysore Masala Dosa. One of the most unique Dosas that you will find anywhere in India, it uses a special paste or chutney with mashed potatoes for the filing. The Dosa is crispy and comes with red and white coconut chutney and sambar for a fabulous experience.
5. Allugedda
Allugedda is a tasty and traditional item where potatoes are mashed and fused with black gram, onions, and tomatoes. This results in a unique taste that you will not find anywhere else. Try it with Dosas or rice when in Karnataka.
6. Mysore Pak
One traditional food of Karnataka that is also hugely popular across India is the legendary Mysore Pak. It will come as a surprise when you know that this sweet only has three ingredients, i.e. Besan (gram flour), Ghee, and sugar. The unique and delightful texture is worth falling in love with, while the sweet is a hit for Diwali and other festivals too!
7. Coorg Pandi Curry
Pandi or pork is a traditional delicacy in the Coorg region. Here, the meat cooks slowly in masala paste, ending with a spicy and dark texture. A fruit extract (Kuchumpuli) is also a key ingredient which leads to the tangy and sour flavor. The curry is best had with rice balls or Akki Roti (rice roti).
8. Haalbai
This is a traditional food of Karnataka containing rice, coconut, and jaggery. Coconut milk also comes into the mix for an incredible taste and feel. It is a popular dish for festive ceremonies and occasions. You can try the cold or warm version of the dish, depending on what you like.
9. Bisi Bele Bath
A traditional recipe in Karnataka that almost every Kannada household prefers, it has a coconut-inspired flavor that you will love. You can have this at almost every local restaurant in Bangalore and other parts of the state. Several vegetables and spices go into the preparation process for a special taste.
10. Rava Kesari
Rava Kesari is another sweet dish that uses ingredients like Ghee, dry fruits, semolina, and saffron or Kesar. Roasting of the Rava is another process that adds a unique texture to the dish itself. You can have this in several flavors like banana, pineapple, etc.
11. Mangalorean Biryani
Do not miss trying the iconic Mangalorean Biryani. You can have it with/without chicken, based on what you prefer. Here, the king is the masala paste, which contains coconut, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, ginger, dry red chilli, garlic, and cardamom. Grounding all the ingredients is the first step towards creating the orange and thick paste. Vegetables go through a sautéing process thereafter before blending with the paste and rice. You can try the Biryani with curd or raita for an incredible lunch or dinner.
12. Kane Rava Fry
One of the top traditional food of Karnataka options, Kane Rava Fry is basically Lady Fish that goes through a marinating process in chilli paste. Frying then takes place, before semolina is used for the coating. The latter enables a crispy texture and the inner part of the dish is tender and tasty.
13. Udupi Sambar
Udupi Sambar is hugely popular throughout Karnataka as a staple lunch or breakfast item. The key thing is the sweeter taste and spicier feel, mainly due to the coconut, Hing, fenugreek and cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and red chillies that go into the mix. It also uses Urad Dal and Chana while Tuvar Dal is also used at times. It comes with Idli and Dosa for the classic experience, while locals also have it with rice.
14. Mango Chutney
You will love relishing the signature raw mango or Mavinakai chutney which uses ingredients like Urad Dal, coconut, raw mangoes, and chillies. It is a favorite item for locals, especially with rice and Dosas. You can also have it as a standalone pickle with almost any snack.
15. Mysore Bonda
A great traditional food of Karnataka, Mysore Bonda is a fried and delicious snack using Maida and yoghurt, along with Urad Dal. You can have it with coconut chutney and sambar for a delicious taste.
16. Sagu
Vegetable Sagu is an iconic Karnataka dish which is basically vegetable curry that comes with Roti, set Dosa, Rava Idli, rice, and Poori. The texture is nice and creamy and makes use of poppy seeds and coconut for this purpose.
17. Pori Urundai
Here Pori equates to Kurmura or puffed rice and the sweet dish is essentially sweet and puffed rice balls that come with a healthy jaggery coating. The trick lies in melting the jaggery at a specific temperature for the perfect flavor. You can have it with coffee and tea for a lovely experience.
18. Maddur Vada
This is another traditional food of Karnataka that you should definitely check out. It comes from the Maddur town near Bangalore and the Vada is crispy with a harder crust and tender core. There are onion pieces for a nice taste and you can have this with either tomato or coconut chutney.
19. Chiroti
A traditional sweet that is hugely popular among the locals, Chiroti is also eaten in Maharashtra and other Indian states. The preparation involves frying Maida to create concentric circles that have cardamom and sugar in generous amounts. This is a festive dish that you should definitely feast on!
20. Tatte Idli
Tatte Idli or plate/taste Idli is a classic traditional food of Karnataka that you should also not miss. This is flattened and massive while being soft and tender on the inside. You should have it with sambar and delicious coconut chutney.
21. Chitranna
Chitranna is another iconic traditional food of Karnataka and comprises lemon-flavored rice and vegetables for a unique feel. Flattened rice or poha also come into play for creating this perfect dish.
22. Khara Pongal
Khara Pongal is a spicy meal that you can have for breakfast when in Karnataka. It is a sole item with the recipe fusing Moong Dal and rice in equal amounts. You can enjoy the rich blend of carbohydrates and protein that characterizes this preparation.
23. Gojju
Gojju is almost like a delicious curry which fuses spicy, sweet, and sour tastes with a tangy feel. It uses meat or vegetables and even mango, pineapple, and other fruits.
24. Ragi Mudde
Finger millet balls or Ragi Mudde is a special preparation fusing Ragi flour with water. Almost every local Kannadiga household makes this item and the moist balls are easy to make, with several health benefits. Have it with the signature Upsaaru or Uppesaru along with chutney, curry, and Sambar. Many call it Mudde or even Ragi Sangati or Kali.
25. Jolada Rotti
One traditional food of Karnataka that you should taste is Jolada Roti. It is a flat-bread with Bajra flour and comes with delicious dry garlic chutney and Ennegai.
26. Ennegai
Ennegai is a spicy masala-filled eggplant curry that you can have with Jolada Rotti. First, the eggplant is split and masala paste is used for the stuffing, before cooking the meal on a low flame. It later becomes a curry with a delicious flavor. This dish is a staple for the northern part of Karnataka.
27. Mysore Kuzhambu
Originating from Mysore, it is a tasty curry with coconut, eggplant, drumstick, potatoes, and several spices (cumin, fenugreek, black pepper, etc.). You will love the rich flavors of the item, mainly due to the roasting process for the lentils and the addition of coconut (freshly-ground). Try it with Raita or yoghurt along with rice/Roti.
28. Dharwad Peda
This dish comes from Karnataka’s Dharwad city and is made with a slow-cooking process for sugar and milk until it becomes just like fudge. Flavoring is then done with cardamom before the mix cools down and turns into round and small Pedas. Locals usually have it during various festivals in the state.
29. Karadantu
Healthy and tasty, Karadantu is a sweet dish that people usually have during special occasions and festivals. Kara equates to mixed, while Dantu means edible gum. The main ingredients are dry fruits and nuts like cashews, almonds, pistachios, and others, blending with edible gum and jaggery. The final process involves shaping the mixture into squares or smaller balls with a chewy feel and high energy.
30. Hayagreeva Maddi
Hayagreeva Maddi is a traditional food of Karnataka that has immense religious significance, while being given as Prasadam in temples as well. It uses Chana Dal for cooking until it turns soft and then this mixes with grated coconut, Ghee, and jaggery. Flavoring happens with cardamom for a special taste and aroma. Fried raisins and cashews also come into play for a crunchy and incredibly sweet texture.
31. Gokak Kardant
You will love tasting this traditional food of Karnataka, which comes from the Gokak town in the state. It is a delicious sweet that uses edible gum, jaggery, dry fruits, and nuts. Jaggery melting is the first stage along with the fusion with edible gum for a sticky texture. Dry fruits and assorted nuts come into the mixture before it sets and cools. Once done, the dessert is cut into diamond or square-shaped pieces.
32. Puliyogare
This traditional food of Karnataka is usually known as Pulihora or tamarind rice. People love the tangy flavor of this item which contains lentils, short-grain rice, spices, and chillies. A paste is made by grinding everything with tamarind extract and jaggery, before mixing it with white rice. You can have it with coconut chutney and Sendige or Happala (fryums) for a special experience.
33. Thengai Saadam
It is coconut rice that is popular in other states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. This version in Karnataka is about cooking rice with mustard seeds, coconut, Chana and Urad Dal, curry leaves, Hing, and dried red chillies. Try it with potato curry, pickle, and yoghurt for a complete meal.
Try the Traditional Food of Karnataka On Your Next Visit
Do not miss trying the traditional food of Karnataka when you visit in the near future. There are many other delicacies that are usually available here, right from Vangi and Tomato Bath to the iconic Pongal and special Mangalore buns. Karnataka is a blend of diverse and delicious flavors that foodies will enjoy!
