Karnataka cuisine is very diverse. Described as the mildest in terms of spice content of these four states' cuisines, there is a generous use of Jaggery, palm sugar and little use of chilli powder. Since the percentage of vegetarians in Karnataka is higher than other southern states, vegetarian food enjoys widespread popularity. Udupi cuisine forms an integral part of Karnataka cuisine.
The cuisine of coastal Karnataka is marked by widespread use of seafood, coconut and coconut oil. Rice is the staple grain and is the centerpiece of every meal. Gravies called 'Gassi' made from chicken, fish, meats are served with rice. Lentils and vegetables cooked with coconut, spices and tempered with mustard, curry leaves, generous asafoetida, called Huli, is also served with rice. A Rasam-like preparation is called Saaru, which again is served with rice. The meal will also contain vegetable side dishes called Palya. Other accompaniments include curd-based Tambli, sweet-tangy Gojju, pickles and Happala or Papads. Some of the distinct breakfast foods served here include Bun, Biscuit rotti, Goli Bajji, and Patrode.
Coorgi cuisine is very distinct from the other regional cuisines of Karnataka, much like their culture. The hallmark of Coorgi cuisine is the widespread use of pork, game, and meats. They also use kokum generously in their cooking. While the staple food remains rice and rice-based preparations like kadambattu, steamed rice dumplings and rice rottis, their expertise in cooking non-vegetarian foods is unmatched.
The south Karnataka or the old Mysore cuisine is dominated by Ragi or finger millet and rice. Ragi in the form of Ragi Mudde of dumplings or steamed rice is the centerpiece of a meal. Often served with these two dishes are vegetable sides or Palya, Gojju, pickles, Tovve - mildly spiced lentils laced with Ghee, Huli - the lentil curry and Tili Saaru, a peppery thin watery curry almost like Rasam. Certain preparations like Bas saaru, which is a spiced vegetable or greens' stock along with seasoned vegetables or greens, Upp Saaru which is another lentil stock based accompaniment to rice or mudde, Mosoppu, which is mashed spiced greens, Maskai, which is mashed spiced vegetables, are typical home style food from this region. Avare Kal (or Indian beans) is a popular vegetable consumed during winter. They are used in a variety of dishes like Usali, Upma, Huli, Hitakida Bele Saaru etc.Rice preparations usually served as the second course of a traditional meals include Bisi bele baath, Chitranna, Hulianna, etc.
Yogurt is a typical part of every meal in all the regions of Karnataka and is probably the most popular dairy product. Generally yogurt with rice constitute the final course of a meal. Buttermilk laced with spices and curry leaves is also popularly served with meals especially during summer. Ghee and butter are also popular cooking mediums for those who can afford them, and are mostly reserved for festivals and special occasions.
The credit for popularizing these foods elsewhere in India goes to Udupi hotels. In fact, in north India, Udupi hotels are often synonymous with south Indian food, even though the range of foods they serve is mostly restricted to the Karnataka cuisine. These small establishments serve inexpensive vegetarian breakfast dishes throughout the day, all over India. These were mostly run by people native to the Canara region. The famous Masala Dosa traces its origin to Udupi cuisine and was subsequently popularized by Udupi restaurants.
Most famous food items
People from Karnataka are notorious for their sweet tooth. Mysore Pak, Obbattu/Holige, Dharwad pedha, Pheni, Chiroti are popular sweets. Apart from these sweets there are other lesser known sweets like 'Hungu', Kajjaya, Coconut Mithai, Rave Unde, Pakada Pappu, Chigali, a variety of Kadubus, Tambittu, Paramanna, and Hayagreeva. Most of these sweets are not milk-based, unlike the popular sweetmaking tradition elsewhere in India. Most of these sweets are made using Jaggery and not refined sugar.
Some typical Breakfast dishes include Masala Dosa, Ragi rotti, Akki rotti, Vangi Bath, Khara Bath, Kesari Bath, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Uppittu, Plain and Rave Idli, Mysore Masala Dosa, Kadubu, Poori etc. Lunch items include sambar, rasam and a delicacy called Bisi bele baath
