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South Indian dishes explained

Plain-English explainers for the dosas, idli, vadai, uttapam, sambar and rasam on a South Indian tiffin menu, and how each one is made and eaten.

Checked November 14, 2026Independent guide

All guides in South Indian dishes explained

South Indian dishes explained

Pongal: the ghee, pepper and rice dish and the festival

Pongal is a Tamil rice and moong dal dish seasoned with pepper, cumin and ghee, and also the name of a harvest festival. How the dish is made and how it is eaten.

· 5 min read

South Indian dishes explained

Uttapam explained: the thick South Indian pancake

Uttapam is a thick South Indian pancake of fermented rice and urad dal batter with toppings cooked in. Its toppings, how it differs from dosa and what goes with it.

· 5 min read

South Indian dishes explained

Sambar: what it is and why it goes with everything

Sambar is a South Indian lentil and vegetable stew soured with tamarind. What goes in it, how it differs from rasam and kurma, and the dishes it is served with.

· 5 min read

Independent guide. Not the official website of Maruthi South Indian Restaurant.