For a little over six years, Madurai Idly Shop has been a popular spot for breakfast-lovers residing in Koramangala. The tiny eatery serves steaming hot soft idlis with an array of chutneys and 'vadas' that make people keep coming back for more. It was started by Hussain, who hails from Madurai. He says that his hometown is known for idli and chutney. "Which is why we decided to bring that taste to Bangalore. Koramangala has always been open to different cuisines — but there are very few South Indian restaurants here. So, when we opened, people immediately were drawn to us," he explains.Largely a self-service joint, there is very little place to sit and eat. There are a few tables kept on the footpath, where one can stand and have a quick meal. But many who visit the place simply pack the food and take it home.
Don't get fooled by the name of the eatery, though. The place boasts of a short but delicious menu that goes beyond just idli. Pongal, kothu parotta, plain dosa, masala dosa, rava dosa, podi dosa and a variety of kothu parottas are some of the popular items on the menu. In the afternoons, the eatery serves many combo meals along with rice items like tomato rice, jeera rice,
vegetable pulao etc. If one is going for the idli alone, he or she won't be disappointed as the place serves mini-idli, podi idli and chilli idli.
"The podi idli is very popular as we make it with gunpowder. And the tomato chutney that we serve with the idli is a real crowd-puller," Hussain adds.
If a customer is confused about what to pick, the friendly staff helps out by
taking one through the entire menu.
Vasavi, a regular at the eatery, claims that the place serves some of the best idli
in the City.
"It is definitely better than the usual darshini food. The sambhar and tomato chutney are just so yummy that my mouth waters just thinking about them," she adds.
The crispy vadas are a popular accompaniment with the pongal as well.
Come evening, and the kothu parotta takes center stage. This is a speciality in Tamil Nadu — it literally means minced parotta. It is made with a parotta along with either egg, meat or vegetables. But in Madurai Idly Shop, there are largely three varieties -— the normal one, mushroom and paneer. "We are a vegetarian eatery so we don't use egg or meat. Many enjoy the paneer and mushroom kothu parotta as we make it very spicy," says Hussain.
Open on all days from 7 am to 11 pm, 'Madhurai Idly Shop' is located at No. 716/D, 17th B Main, 6th Block, Koramangala Club Road.