Bengaluru has always been a welcoming city for migrants. But, as we expand our ambit of culinary knowledge by sampling various international cuisines, we’ve all managed to let our home fare take a backseat. But that need not be the case as this ooru has one for everyone. Here are some eateries with authentic food and snacks from different regions in the country that satisfy the craving of many migrant city-dwellers for the delicacies they have grown up with.
Vinod Baidanamane from Dharwad, who now resides in Basavanagudi, says that the Venkateshwara hotel in Gandhi Bazar is genuinely his second home! “This place is pocket friendly and serves the best north Karnataka food. While you are here, you must order the Jowar Rotti meal. It includes two pieces of rotti, an unctuous brinjal curry also known as ennegayi, which explodes with spices and flavours on your palate, another curry with mixed pulses to balance out the spice, cucumber on the side and some rice. If you don’t really have quite that much of an appetite, then you can take it down a notch and try the rotti-curry combo or the rice plate with the tamarind curry or rasam and lentils curry with some Fry-ums,” he extols.
Prawn cutlet
Sumita Sanjeevi, originally from Kolkata, now residing in Hennur, shares that it is very comforting to be able to find food closest to authentic Bangla cuisine in Bengaluru. She recommends this takeaway joint in Ramamurthynagar called Bhorpet (that literally means a stuffed belly!), as it is the perfect place for good Bengali food. She says, “From the classic luchi — a deep-fried puffed bread made of all-purpose flour — with a saporous potato curry called aaloo dum, which is the perfect combination for a rainy day; to the scrumptious Katla Kalia, a famous Bengali spicy fish curry with big chunks of veggies, served with plain rice and a stuffed prawn cutlet on the side… you will instantly drift away to Dacres Lane, the street food haven of Kolkata.”
According to Venessa John, when you can’t decide what to eat and if you are around Kammanahalli, then you must try this hole-in-the-wall Kerala food joint. She guarantees that you will not regret the decision. “Appam Corner in Kalyananagar 2nd block serves hot appams - a type of pancake made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk — with amazing chicken or vegetable stew. You can also try their parotta — a delicious layered bread - with some satisfying fish curry that will calm those hungry demons in you,” she rattles off enthusiastically.
Fafda and green chilli
Sunitha Albert, meanwhile, prefers to bond with her lovely daughter on a fun evening drive to this Rajasthani chaat place called Shiv Shakti in HSR Layout that serves awesome Gujarati fafda. “The jalebi is always hot, fresh, crispy and just right in sweetness. The show-stopper though is definitely the fafda - a fried crispy and tasty snack made with gram flour. This is served with a fried green chilli. You can also try their fresh potato-stuffed samosas and kachoris too,” she smiles blissfully at the mere memory of the food that transports her back to her childhood.
