Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is known for its rich culture, historical landmarks, and of course, its delectable street food. From crispy bhajjis to flavorful dosas, Chennai offers a plethora of mouthwatering street food options that will leave foodies craving for more. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, there’s something for everyone to savor in the bustling streets of Chennai. In this article, we’ll take a gastronomic journey through the top 11 must-try street foods in Chennai, along with the best places to enjoy them and the approximate cost for two.
Best Veg Street Food in Chennai
A common belief among people is that South Indian street food is filled with seafood, but Chennai’s street foods also offer an eclectic mix of vegetarian delicacies. Let’s explore the best veg street food options in Chennai:
- Bhajji
Bhajji is a South Indian version of pakora and is incredibly popular in Chennai. Served with spicy and tangy chutney, a plate of freshly fried and spicy bhajji can be found easily in the city.
Top Places to Eat Bhajji in Chennai:
- Jannal Kadai
- Nair Mess
- Mak N Bhajji Shop
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 100
- Muruku & Muruku Sandwich
Muruku is a crunchy snack made from a combination of gram and rice flour, deep-fried and served with hot tea. Some eateries in Chennai have come up with muruku sandwich, where traditional bread is replaced with muruku pieces and filled with cucumber, tomato, and onion slices.
Top Places to Eat Muruku in Chennai:
- Links, Purasawakkam
- Ajanabi
- Feastinn
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 150
- Sundal
Sundal is a popular and tasty street food found at many beaches in Chennai, with the ones at Marina Beach considered the best. It is made from boiled chickpeas mixed with onions, spices, herbs, and topped off with shredded coconut.
Top Places to Eat Sundal in Chennai:
- Royal Sandwich
- OSB hot and chat
- Mathsya
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 30
- Chaat
Chaat is a beloved street food found all over India. It has numerous variations, each differing slightly based on ingredients, taste, and appearance. Chennai offers its unique twist to this popular street food.
Top Places to Eat Chaat in Chennai:
- Kakada Ramprasad Chats and Sweets
- Hemanth Chats
- Ganga Chats
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 50
- Puttu
Puttu is a dish made from rice flour and coconut, steamed in special cylinders. It is a staple in many households in Chennai. Notably, there is a famous vendor named Ismail who serves puttu made from black rice, adding an interesting twist to this traditional dish.
Top Places to Eat Puttu in Chennai:
- Nair Mess
- Ente Keralam
- Maplai
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 300
- Uthappam
Uthappam is a popular South Indian dish enjoyed across the nation. It is thicker than dosa and has vegetables mixed into the batter. Uthappam is served with chutney or sambar.
Top Places to Eat Uthappam in Chennai:
- Sheena Bhai Tiffin Centre
- Anachi Dosai Kadai
- Sarvana Bhavan
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 150
- Dosa
Dosa, along with idli, is the most famous South Indian street food. It is a fermented rice and urad batter pancake served with sambar, coconut chutney, and a stuffing of potatoes. Chennai offers a wide range of dosa variations.
Top Places to Eat Dosa in Chennai:
- Dosart
- Krishna’s Dosa Kadai
- Dosart
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 200
- Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a breakfast dish often described as South Indian noodles. Made from rice flour, it is served with curry and coconut milk, adding a unique flavor to the dish.
Top Places to Eat Idiyappam in Chennai:
- Kaaraikudi
- ID
- Kozhiidi
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 100
- Idli
Idli is the most popular South Indian dish, loved by people of all ages. Made from fermented black lentils (urad) batter, it is steamed and served with chutney and sambar.
Top Places to Eat Idli in Chennai:
- Murugan Idly Shop
- Idly Express
- Idly Express
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 200
Best Non-Veg Street Food in Chennai
Chennai’s street food scene is not limited to vegetarian dishes; it offers a plethora of non-vegetarian options as well. Let’s explore some of the must-try non-veg street foods in Chennai:
- Thukpa
Thukpa, a Tibetan import, is a famous non-vegetarian street food in Chennai. It is a noodle soup served in beef broth with a variety of vegetables and beef chunks.
Top Places to Eat Thukpa in Chennai:
- Kailash Kitchen
- Dallay
- Instant Karma
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 250
- Athouk
Athouk is a Burmese salad with boiled eggs served with a traditional soup called Mohinga. A variation of Athouk with noodles is also popular among the locals, blending the flavors of Burma with Chennai’s food culture.
Top Places to Eat Athouk in Chennai:
- Various stalls at the Burma Bazar
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 150
- Atho
Atho is an orange noodle dish mixed with spices, vegetables, and meat. While vegetarian Atho is available, Egg Atho and Chicken Atho are more popular among the locals.
Top Places to Eat Atho in Chennai:
- Atho Man
- Mulberry Star Burma Atho Shop
- Atho Corner
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 200
- Kothu Parotta
Parotta, a flatbread made from flour, is shredded to make Kothu Parotta. It is then mixed with vegetables, egg, or meat, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying street food dish.
Top Places to Eat Kothu Parotta in Chennai:
- Maplai
- Madurai Kumar Mess
- Thambi Vilas
- Approximate Cost for Two: INR 350
So, the next time you find yourself in Chennai, embark on a culinary adventure and savor the flavors of these delectable street foods that truly represent the essence of the city’s vibrant food culture.