The different regions of India are famous for their own respective cuisines. From Bengal’s sweets to Gujarat’s thali to Kashmiri pulao, each state of this country boasts of its own signature dishes. South Indian food is famous for being simple, tasty, and healthy enough to be eaten every day. It isn’t just savoury and appealing to the taste buds, but is also easy on the pocket. Here are ten of the most popular South Indian items you must have in this lifetime…

Dosa

One of the most popular items on the South Indian menu, a dosa is basically a fermented rice and lentil crepe with potato or vegetable stuffing on the inside. But unlike crepes, a dosa is even thinner and larger, and very filling. South Indian Dishes are famous for their chutneys, and a dosa is no different. From coconut to lentils to tamarind, the range of chutneys usually paired with the dosa is truly huge. A dosa can even be eaten without the stuffing and only with chutney.

Uttapam

This is a type of pancake made with a batter of rice and lentils. In most of South Indian dishes, rice and lentils are the main ingredients. Uttapam is a bit similar to dosa, except that the vegetables are mixed with the batter instead of being stuffed inside. The use of onions to garnish the uttapam is very common. The uttapam is slightly thicker than the dosa, and is usually served with different kinds of chutneys and sambar.

Hyderabadi Biryani

You haven’t had biryani if you haven’t tasted the classic Hyderabadi one. It can be made in two ways: one is called kachhe gosht ki biryani, and the other is pakki biryani. In the former the meat is marinated overnight, while in the latter the meat is marinated for a shorter time. This biryani is the hallmark of an excellent chef since it is difficult to prepare.

Upma

This is a spicy, salty porridge-like dish made with either rice or semolina. Usually sticky in nature, upma is made with vegetables, curry leaves, and mustard seeds, and like most South Indian dishes, cooked in coconut oil. This is a very popular breakfast item.

Idli

These are soft, steamed rice cakes, usually eaten hot with chutney and sambar. This spongy cake is made out of a rice and lentil batter and then steamed in an idli-maker or pressure cooker. This is a very popular breakfast and snack.

Vada

A vada looks very similar to a doughnut. It is crispy and is made with a lentil and rice batter. It’s a fritter snack, eaten usually at breakfast or for snacks. The tradition is to dip the vada in sambar and let it soak in it before eating it. Vada can also be eaten with chutneys.

Chicken 65

Originating in Chennai, one of the most popular South Indian snacks is Chicken 65, a spicy, deep-fried dish, usually cooked with a variety of spices and red chillies. It’s famous for being hot and savoury and is recognised by its red colour.

South India is a melting pot of various kinds of dishes, usually marked by their spiciness. It’s hard to not fall in love with South Indian cuisine, given their appetising taste and wide varieties.