Well! It is no secret
that I am a marwadi. Also, it is not even close to a secret that my food habits
are of typical north Indian. I have grown up eating Chapati and potato. I have
learned to eat in thalis and serve all gravies in bowls. I rarely eat rice.
Now put me in a place
where all my meals contain rice (or its varieties), are served on leaves or
foils and contain sambhar/rasam instead of Daal (which is not a usual practice
as per my Tamil colleague). You would think I would hate it. Yes you are right,
I had difficulty in most places except when I reached Murugan Idli in Chennai.
After an eight day trip
to interiors of Tamil Nadu, my first evening in Chennai I avoided all sights of
any south Indian cuisine. But by next evening my colleague was craving for some
good South Indian (yes! Even he couldn’t relish what we ate for last one week)
and Murugan Idli came with high recommendation.
As we walked down the
Besant Nagar Church, we spotted the place that we were looking for.
The restaurant is simple
and clean. Maybe it was the time of the day, it was hardly crowded. We took our
table and waited for menu. A simple small menu was presented to us and we
ordered some idli, vada and my favorite masala vada along with fresh juice. The
food arrived in minutes of ordering. Although, I wasn’t really hungry, a few
bites told me that I hadn’t had an Idli this good ever in my life. By the time
we finished the food we had ordered, I was full but I still craved for more. After
eating another plate of Idli and a filter coffee, I insisted on getting a plate
of Idli packed for next meal.
The surprising part was
as I saw the bill. For all that eating (read hogging) I paid just about Rs.
200.
I later got to know that
Murugan Idli Shop is a famous chain restaurant in Chennai and they have
branches in Singapore too.
My first experience with
Murugan Idli was a fantastic and I insist on visiting there for a meal whenever
I am in Chennai.
All my friends who have been to Chennai, have you tried this place ever?
You have now made me crave for Idlis!! :D
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this place too.. but haven't visited it yet
It is awesome...you must go someday
DeleteSugandha, your post is very interesting. I am a north Indian married to a Keralite. Before marriage, we used to buy idli from from hotels,and relished it. After my marriage when I ate idli made by my MIL, I knew the real taste of Idli. Now I am also an adept in making soft and tasty idlies.
ReplyDeleteSo can I self-invite myself to your place? I am not an idli fan.
DeleteThis post made me miss Idlis! Ahh!
ReplyDeleteM for Motherly-Random Thoughts Naba
try sagar ratna...dilliwalon ka rescue.
DeleteI love this place! Esp. The vadai and onion uthapam :) and guess what once upon a time I lived next to the Barista down the road from the murugan you are talking about :)
ReplyDeletewhat co-incidence....when i went there i knew no one, i never thought anyone will say that they know this place...but here i am with your comment and wondering that world is so small.
DeleteGreat review Sugandha!! I like you am a no rice person except for biryani! :)
ReplyDeleteYou must try these someday Aditi.
DeleteMurugan Idli Shop, the franchise is almost legendary for its wonderful reputation in Chennai. Cleanliness, hygiene, the four varieties of chutney, all at affordable prices are its USP. Am yet to meet anybody who has stayed for more than one month in Chennai and not visited one of their outlets all over the city.
ReplyDelete:) I actually laughed at the first mention. But as i talked about it to others i got to know about its popularity.
DeleteI am glad that Murugan Idli and its idli,vada and sambhar magically removed your aversion to anything rice related or South Indian cuisine at least temporarily.
ReplyDeleteNot only removed aversion...I every now and then look for it. Actually I don't hate south indian food. I love appams and stew :D
DeleteLooks interesting and will surely try this next time I am in Chennai. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteAh, how nice that you chose such a humble idli place for a review. Lip-smacking :)
ReplyDelete~Shailaja's latest A~Z post
Shailaja I think the place is worth a mention
DeleteI'll have to ask one of my expat Indian friends about this. He may know of it.
ReplyDelete:) if he is in Chennai, he might
DeleteI love murugan idly shop always!!
ReplyDelete~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
Oh, you're making me hungry! :)
ReplyDelete:) You should try idlis
DeleteHey. gr8 to knw more bout r food taste. M a self confessed fan of North Indian food though love South Indian thali:)
ReplyDeleteVishal I can't say I am a north indian food fan. I enjoy a south indian meal as much as a north Indian
DeleteMurugans Idli's are pretty popular in Singapore!
ReplyDeletebeen really long...good to be back at your blog! :) wow...you were in namma chennai. love murugan idli kadai...amazing food. a typical south indian, i can never get enough of idli dosai and sambar...lol...can have it every single day...
ReplyDelete