Famous Food of Karnataka: A Blend of Aromatic Spices and Flavours!

Food in any state reflects the place’s rich heritage, and if you travel to Karnataka any time soon, you cannot miss the culinary delicacies of the state. Every bite takes you through a journey of its culture and traditions. The famous food of Karnataka includes spicy curries, lentil dishes, and unique desserts that you will not find anywhere else. The fresh and aromatic spices add unique flavours and aroma to the food, making you drool over it even from a distance. 

So, to let you explore the state’s rich culinary heritage, here is a list featuring famous food of Karnataka you cannot skip on your next trip!

10 Famous Food of Karnataka One Must Try!

1. Bisi Bele Bath

If you are looking for a healthy and comforting food on your trip to the state, Bisi Bele Bath is the one you must have. The Bisi Bele Bath translates to “hot lentil rice dish” and includes the goodness of rice, lentils, vegetables and a medley of aromatic spices. This hearty one-pot meal is full of nutrition and flavours, making it a famous food of Karnataka. It is a popular choice for lunch or dinner and is easily available in local eateries. 

This nutritious meal is prepared by cooking rice and lentils in a flavourful broth with tamarind, tomatoes and a unique blend of freshly roasted spices. This meal is also the best choice for vegans and people looking for a gluten-free meal, which you can easily find in Bangalore and other major cities of the state. You can book your stay at budget-friendly hotels in Bangalore to enjoy the authentic culinary delicacies.

2. Neer Dosa

Translating to “water dosa”, Neer Dosa is a popular breakfast dish throughout the state. With a thin, lacy texture, it melts in your mouth effortlessly. It can be enjoyed with coconut chutney, sambar or as a side dish with non-vegetarian food items like chicken or fish curry, as it offers a perfect balance to the rich gravies.

Unlike traditional dosa, Neer Dosa does not require fermentation and the raw rice is soaked in water for just a few hours till it becomes soft. It is then grounded with freshly grated coconut to form a smooth and thin batter. You can try the dosa at any Mangalorean restaurant in Bangalore, Udupi or Mangalore itself for the authentic flavours and taste. Book your stay at hotels in Mangalore to enjoy Neer Dosa and other Mangalorean dishes.

3. Jolada Rotti

If you want to experience the essence of rural Karnataka cuisine, then Jolada Rotti is a traditional dish you can look out for while travelling to the state. It is a wholesome flatbread or roti, made from jowar flour. It is a famous food of Karnataka for being a symbol of the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

Jaloda Rotti is prepared by mixing jowar flour with warm water and kneading it into a soft dough. The dough is divided into small portions and shaped as round, thin discs that are cooked on a hot griddle until they puff up and attain golden-brown spots. It can be enjoyed with another popular dish, Ennegai, which is a spicy brinjal curry or any other curry. You can enjoy the Jolada Rotti at any local restaurant in Chikmagalur and Bangalore. Hotels in Chikmagalur, located near famous restaurants serving authentic Karnataka cuisine, are best-suited to book your stay.

4. Gojju

With its rich and tangy flavours, Gojju holds a special position in the famous food of Karnataka. It is an integral part of festivity and special occasions in the state and is prepared during the major events like Ugadi, Navaratri and Diwali festival. The unique combination of sweet, sour and spicy flavours makes it a popular choice among the locals and tourists.

A unique feature of Gojju is that its main ingredient can be varied, but it is commonly prepared using vegetables like eggplant, okra and bitter gourd or fruits like mango and pineapple. The vegetable or fruit with a blend of spices is cooked over a low heat, allowing the flavours to blend and the sauce to thicken. This flavourful culinary delight can be enjoyed with rice, chapati or dosa at 60 years old, Iyer Mess in Bangalore. You can book your stay at hotels near Malleshwara Shopping Point, Bangalore.

5. Mysore Pak

When we think of the state, the one thing that comes to mind is Mysore Pak. This world-famous food of Karnataka is one thing you can never skip trying and bringing back home with you.  Originating from the royal Kitchen of Mysore Palace, it is crafted from a few simple ingredients, including ghee, sugar and gram flour. The mixture is slowly heated to blend the flavours till it achieves a golden-brown colour and smooth texture, and finally is shaped into cubes.

Savoured on festive occasions, weddings and other celebrations, Mysore Pak is available in a wide variety, including Ghee Mysore Pak, Milk Mysore Pak and Koodu Mysore Pak. The irresistible flavours make it a hard pass for anyone, making it a sweet lover’s favourite from the state.

6. Haalbai

Another famous food of Karnataka, prepared especially during the festive season, is Haalbai. It is a creamy dessert prepared from fresh coconut, finely grated and ground, mixed with cooked rice to create a unique texture. For sweetness, jaggery is added, and all the combined ingredients are cooked slowly. Once the flavours are blended, milk is added to attain a smooth and velvety consistency. And in the final stage, the mixture is shaped into bite-sized pieces or squares and garnished with chopped nuts or dried fruits.

You can enjoy it after a meal as a dessert or as a traditional South Indian combination with a hot cup of filter coffee at any local sweet shop in Mysore or Bangalore. Budget-friendly hotels in Mysore are ideal for exploring the sweet shops for mouthwatering desserts like Haalbai.

7. Udupi Sambar

Originating from Udupi, the Udupi Sambar is a delicious, aroma-rich, famous food of Karnataka that you cannot skip on your visit. This healthy and flavourful lentil-based stew has the goodness of vegetables, lentils and spices and is known for its distinct taste filled with tanginess and slightly sweet flavours.

The Udupi Sambar is prepared by cooking lentils and vegetables with tamarind pulp, turmeric powder and freshly prepared sambar masala. You can enjoy the sambar with steamed rice, dosa or idlis at Udupi Shri Krishna Bhawan and Mavalli Tiffin Rooms in Bangalore. You can book your stay at hotels near Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore, to explore famous restaurants in the city.

8. Maddur Vada

A dish originating from Maddur in Mandya district of Karnataka, Maddur Vada has now become a popular teatime snack. It is known for its unique taste resulting from a blend of flavours of its ingredients, including rice flour, all-purpose flour, semolina, onions, green chillies, curry leaves, coriander, grated coconut and salt.

They are served hot with a cup of filter coffee or masala chai. You can easily find this famous food of Karnataka at any street food stall or restaurant serving authentic Karnataka cuisine in Bangalore and Mysore. Book hotels near Nexus Mall Koramangala, Bangalore to enjoy local and international cuisines.

9. Pandi Curry

If you are fond of eating pork, then Pandi Curry, also known as Coorgi Pork Curry, is a must-try. Originating from the Coorg region of Karnataka, this flavourful and aromatic traditional dish represents the unique culinary heritage of the Coorgi community.

The dish is prepared by marinating succulent pork in a blend of spices and then searing the meat in a hot pan with a drizzle of oil until it turns brown and develops a rich caramelised crust. Afterwards, a medley of finely chopped onions, ginger and garlic is added to a pan to infuse the dish with their aromatic flavours. Towards the end, spices, a splash of tamarind juice or vinegar are added to enrich the flavours and aroma of the dish. It is served hot with traditional rice flour flatbread or steamed rice. You can book your stay at budget-friendly hotels in Coorg to enjoy the local delicacies like Pandi Curry.

10. Pongal

Pongal, a famous food of Karnataka prepared especially during the Pongal festival, is a delicacy you cannot miss on your trip to the state. Popularly known as “Huggi” in the state, the dish represents the abundance. It is offered to the Sun God during the festival to showcase gratitude for a prosperous harvest and a celebration of nature’s bounty.

Pongal is prepared in the state with an additional savoury twist with spices like pepper, cumin and ginger. The main ingredients, rice and moong daal, are cooked with crushed black pepper, cumin seeds, ginger, ghee, mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida to prepare a comforting and delicious meal. It can be enjoyed with coconut chutney, sambar or tomato or onion raita.

Each famous food of Karnataka has a story associated with festivities and its rich cultural heritage. While exploring the places to visit in Karnataka, you may come across various versions of these dishes or even more delicious ones. The only way to discover these delicacies is to travel and explore even the untouched regions of the state. 

To help you travel across the state with ease, Treebo Club offers affordable and comfortable hotels across the state near the popular tourist attractions, restaurants, markets and transit stations. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to take a journey full of flavours and aroma!