South Indian Breakfast? Head To Karnataka Food Centre In Delhi

This morning we had piping hot South Indian Breakfast !! Our choice today, to look for places in Delhi for an early morning eat outs, was Karnataka Food Centre in RK Puram, New Delhi. We had quite a spread on our table for the two of us. We started with a plate of Sambar Vada, a plate of Idli Vada Combo comprising one each, Chow Chow Bhath followed by Benne Masala Dosa and wrapping up the meals with a great Filter Coffee. And then, there is lot more on offerings here since this place is very popular with the locals and the food lovers from all across the city. Read on…

This place, which is quite easy to approach, opens up at around 8.00 am. There is an ample parking space and you are assisted by a parking attendant. Once you enter the complex, a lot of greenery welcomes you which gives a refreshing start to your experience. We reached around 8.45 and could see a couple of families already coming out after having their breakfast. Inside, at this hour, only few tables were taken. So we had a choice where to sit. There is no menu card and yet the walls adorn huge Menu Boards from where you select your order and convey it to the server.

Once we placed our order, in almost no time, our table was populated with mini slotted trays comprising a set of two Vada, a set of one Rice Idli and a Vada, followed by a combo of Kesari Bhath and Khara Bhath, known as Chow Chow Bhath. Each portion had the customary Coconut Chutney and Sambar on the side.

As a habit, I tasted the Coconut Chutney first. Well, it had that body which I like. Wasn’t runny at all. The seasoning was apt and the taste of coconut did not overpowering. Similarly, the tasting of Sambar revealed that it was neither too runny nor thick. Neither too spicy nor bland. And what I like the most in Sambar is those veggies and those too were not scarce.

The Rice Idli was fresh and yet not very soft. Fluffy and had that apt consistency to soak in the Chutney or the Sambar when dipped in. The Vada was, again fresh and hot. Had that crispy crust with a soft and aptly seasoned inside.

The Chow Chow Bhath is a unique dish of that part of the country. It is a combo of sweet Kesri Bhath (Samolina Halwa) and Khara Bhath (savoury Upma made with Samolina). I had tasted this combo in Vidyarthi Bhavan in Bangalore where it is served with Coconut Chutney only. This was one quite close to what I tasted there and liked.

Our next order was Benne Masala Dosa. Again, I had tasted this last year in CTR (its their specialty) in Bangalore. You could click the link at the end of this story to read my blogpost of meals I had in Bangalore.

Benne in Kannada is Butter. So, this one is made in Butter and oodles of it.

we were served two Benne Dosa in a plate along with yet another helping of Coconut Chutney and Sambar. In CTR, Bangalore, they make it quite thick. This was was about half thick as that and yet was fluffy. The outer was crisp with the shallow frying in the butter and the inside was soft and fluffy. The Aloo Masala filling in the dosa was mildly seasoned and with a lavish helping of butter enhanced its flavours.

Pro Tip: Order Benne Masala Dosa only if you have a partner to share. They serve two pieces in a portion. It is full of butter and is too heavy. I don’t think one person can finish both.

By the time we finished our Dosa, we were full. But how could one leave without enjoying the Filter Coffee ? So, a round of Filter Coffee in the traditional bowl and tumbler and we were done. We finished out entire breakfast in half an hour and our bill, including a tip to the sever, was with in INR 550.

The place is open for all the three meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The menu includes Snacks, varities of Dosa and Uttapams, Beverages and Thali (South Indian Fixed Meals).

I am going there again, sometime soon, to try the Fixed Meals. In the meanwhile, you have a recommendation of a particular dish here or any other South Indian joint, do let me know. And I shall try to explore yet another outlet tomorrow and will share with you. Till then….

Bon Appetite !!

Rajesh Tara

#MagicOfFlavours

Read here my earlier experience of this cuisine in Bangalore:

A Tale of Meals & Dosa In Bangalore

Best Biryani In Chennai; And Dosa, Meals In Bangalore