Exploring the Flavours of South Indian Cuisine

As part of Year 2's learning in Culture, they have been learning about the diverse traditions and rich heritage found across our local area. One of the most exciting parts of our exploration has been discovering the food — especially South Indian cuisine, which is famous for its bold flavours, aromatic spices, and a wide range of vegetarian dishes that are both healthy and delicious.

To truly experience what they have been learning, Year 2 visited Saravana Bhavan, a globally recognized South Indian vegetarian restaurant in East Ham. Known for serving authentic dishes that reflect the culinary traditions of Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states, the visit gave them a chance to taste some iconic foods in a real restaurant setting.

What We Ate:

• Idli
  Our meal began with idli, soft and fluffy steamed rice cakes made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal (black lentils). The fermentation process not only enhances the flavour but also adds to the health benefits, making idli easy to digest. These were served warm, with coconut chutney and sambar on the side. Idli is a traditional South Indian breakfast item, but it can be enjoyed any time of day.

• Sambar
  Next, we tried sambar — a delicious, tangy lentil and vegetable stew that’s full of flavour. It’s made using toor dal (pigeon peas), tamarind, and a variety of vegetables like carrots, drumsticks, and tomatoes. What makes sambar unique is the use of South Indian spices and a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chillies. It's typically eaten with idli, dosa, or rice, and adds a comforting warmth to the meal.

• Dosa
  One of the highlights of our visit was the dosa — a thin, golden-brown crepe made from a similar fermented batter of rice and lentils. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it was filled with a spiced potato mixture, known as masala. This is called masala dosa, one of the most popular South Indian dishes worldwide. It was served with a variety of chutneys — coconut, tomato, and mint — along with a generous helping of sambar.

Our Experience:

Visiting Saravana Bhavan was a fun and memorable experience. For many of us, it was our first time trying traditional South Indian food, and it was exciting to taste new flavours, textures, and spices. We were amazed by how different these dishes were from other types of Indian cuisine we were familiar with. The use of fermented batters, rice, lentils, and coconut gives South Indian food its unique identity.

What made the experience even more special was learning about the cultural importance of food in South Indian daily life. Meals are often served on banana leaves during festivals and special occasions, and there's a strong emphasis on vegetarianism, balance, and health in the cooking.

Overall, our trip to Saravana Bhavan helped bring our classroom lessons to life. It was more than just a meal — it was a cultural journey that allowed us to connect with traditions from another part of the world. We left with full stomachs and a deeper appreciation for South Indian cuisine.