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Welcome to 'From the Chef's Table', an exclusive series at Times Foodie where we take you on a culinary journey through the diverse and rich flavours from a chef's eye of his love and interpretation of a particular region in India. In each edition, the renowned chefs explore the must-try traditional food items that every traveller should savour and bring back home. Each episode will help you understand the cultural significance of unique ingredients and flavours that define the state's culinary heritage, uncovering the stories and traditions behind them.
Are you a fan of mainstream seafood? Mangalore is the right place to be. Apart from the undeniably delicious food preferences, the mixed aromas of the food from across the region are definitely hard to resist. From lush greenery to delectable cuisine deeply rooted in the culture, Mangalore is a hot spot for dishes, making it a haven for food enthusiasts. Although people think of Mangalore as a representative of Karnataka, to your surprise, it’s not! The coastal region holds the magical culinary gems that bring the hyperlocal to the cuisine and the region. From balancing the flavours of a meal to keeping the traditional recipes alive despite the modern influences, Chef Shriya Shetty celebrates the flavours of Mangalore with unique twists.
A hardcore fan of Kori Roti and Chicken Sukka, Chef Shriya Shetty is proudly embracing her Mangalorean culinary menu by bringing the dishes to the forefront. Founder of the artisanal bakehouse and Café, Buco she believes that the dishes serve as a true representation of the historicity to reconnect the people with the authenticity of this beautiful region. Let's know more about the simple yet rich flavours of Mangalore with Chef Shriya Shetty, who has been managing to revive the spirit and the culture of Mangalore with a passion for showcasing culinary treasures through her work.
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What are the must-try traditional food items from Mangalore that travellers should consider bringing back home?
For someone who is visiting Mangalore for the first time, I would definitely recommend kori roti, and chicken sukka along with a selection of seafood available in the market. Apart from these famous dishes, you can also try pulimunchi, curry, and a lot of the city's delightful breakfast dishes like manglo buns and avalakki, sajjige bajji, which is basically upma that we have with thinly beaten rice, chivda, prepared with just tempered spices and jaggery. It's a lovely savoury and sweet combination that you get and it's like a lot of different textures altogether.
Last but definitely not least is ghee roast, which I think the whole world knows about now, so don't really even have to mention it.
Can you explain the cultural significance of any specific food items or flavours that are unique to Mangalore?
According to me, the cuisine of Mangalore focuses on highlighting the cultural heritage of the state. The cuisine embodies rich ingredients and spices which sets it apart from the other cuisines. Apart from its rich ingredients, the region is famous for its seafood delicacies, coconut groves and fresh fish collected from the surrounding seas. The cuisine is a melting pot of cultures and is completely a connoisseur’s haven.
Is there any particular dish you remember from your childhood that your mother/grandmother used to make?
One dish that brings back fond memories from my childhood is definitely my grandmother’s Kori Roti, which my mom now makes the same or similar. It’s one of my favourite memories. The delicacy is savoured as is or with any curry of your choice for a wholesome meal. The entire neighbourhood could smell my comfort food with curry and I think those were the days I really miss sometimes.
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What are some of your favourite dishes that showcase the flavours of Mangalore?
Kori Roti, I feel is one of the most unique dishes that have come out of our region and also the Neer Dosa, which is so famous and goes so well. It’s such a versatile dish and does not require any kind of fermentation, perfect for quick and instant meals. It’s made using two ingredients. It’s so simple yet super technical to make and I think these dishes really showcase the flavours of Mangalore.
For those unfamiliar with Mangalorean or South Indian cuisine, what dishes would you offer them in the thali for the first traditional meal?
So for those wanting to try Mangalorean food, I would definitely ask them to start with urad dal and pomegranate kind of a salad that we make and relish. Another dish called 'Kishmore' which is specially made by the GSB communities in Mangalore where fried yam is mixed with some coconut, raw onions and other ingredients, and trust me the dish tastes absolutely delicious. Then there's another dish called meniskai which is made using ripe mango or ripe pineapple and it is again a savoury sweet sort of curry I think this should also be one of the most unique dishes to come out of Mangalore.
So, then I'll continue with maybe a chicken sukka with some kori rotti, kori gassi, a vegetable dish on one side and a fish fry for sure on the other. We can definitely end it with, semige rasayana which is basically string hoppers dipped in sweetened coconut milk that has banana pieces in it, so it is really yummy and a must-try for the first timers.