Bangalore, India

Hello all -

I'll be spending a good chunk of time in Bangalore, India this summer for work.

I've read a few other "India" threads here but they're pretty dated.

Any current recommendations on how to make the most of my time there, food-wise? I'm open to pretty much anything whether it's street food, markets, fine dining, etc. I'll probably be able to travel to other cities in the region over the weekend, so non-Bangalore suggestions are welcome too.

Thanks!

~ J

Definitely visit Mysore. The raj's palace is simply amazing. Lots of fabulous things to be seen in that area.

As for food -- I ate everywhere and never had a bad meal, but don't have any specific recommendations. But do check out the local markets -- they're wonderful.

Ah Bangalore! I spent 6 weeks there last year for work. Dosas were a daily staple. Rava Dosas, Masala Dosas, Cheese Dosas... My favorites were vadas, cheese masala dosas, pani puri, gobi manchurian and the occasionaly rava dosas.

Rava dosas are made with rice flour, i think. So the pancake is lacy and delicate.




Masala dosas are the regular slightly thicker pancakes with a spiced potato filling. Get it with cheese, and they will line the inside of the dosa with processed cheese (think Kraft singles type).


Regular dosa

Pani puri is a street food. They have a small ball of fried dough, and basically poke through the exterior, making a small dough bowl. They fill it with stuff (potatoes, fried egg crispies, etc) and then put it a in small bowl. Then they ladle a spicy sweet water over it. Yes, water. Not a sauce.

Vadas are fried pieces of dough that have a slight sour tang to them. They are usually served with sambar (not the SE Asian sambal). Sambar is a curry gravy or sorts.


Idly (the white one) and vada

Gobi Manchurian is battered and fried pieces of cauliflower, tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.



All these dishes (except the pani puri) are served in these stalls where people are standing up around a table. We went to one on our first night. Actually we invaded it, since there were 30 of us!



Chinese food in India is pretty wierd. Pretty much everything had curry powder added. Be prepared to not eat beef, but you probably won't miss it. Though if you want a burger, skip the TGIF, and head to Leela's Palace. Expensive, but decent. There is a steakhouse near MG Road, but I did not try it.

Leela's Palace is a 7 star(?) hotel and their Sunday buffet is pretty good. Cheeses, steak made to order, maki rolls, etc. Their dessert table is amazing! Drinks are included, except water! Go figure!

Here are some pics from our Leela Palace Brunch

BTW The KFC in India is pretty damn good! I never eat at KFC stateside, but I went there 2-3 times a week in Bangalore!

Feel free to PM me with where you are staying and maybe I can remember some good places to go... There were a few places where we went when we needed non-Indian food...

Drinks are included, except water! Go figure!

Because no one drinks tap water. You pay for bottled water & other drinks such as sodas here; you're charged similarly in India.

Use good judgment when eating market & street food, i.e. nothing uncooked, no dairy, only bottled water. Salads are a bad idea pretty much anywhere. Otherwise you risk getting seriously ill.

The place for a splurge is Karavalli at the Taj Gateway (for south indian style seafood); there's also a nice 24 hour coffee shop at the Taj. MTR Store is a good place for south indian sweets & snacks (IIRC there's a tiffin room where you can eat in next door, I forget the name).

Dosas, idlis, uttapum, vada (same batter as idli, but fried instead of steamed; pan fried you get uttapum, made into crepes you get dosa), all served with sambar, chutney & rasam etc are classic south indian dishes which will be widely available; eating pani puri is always risking since you don't know the source of the water.

This is South India so coffee is the beverage. There are lots of Starbuck-equivalent local chains as well, places like Barista & Cafe Coffee Day.

Oh, and check the seals on the water when it is brought to the table. Some places refill the bottles with tap water. Definitely watch what you eat. I think out of 30 of us, only 5 did not get sick in 6 weeks!

What I found funny at the Leela Palace brunch is that while they charge for water, beer, bloody marys, and soda were free... I would think beer would cost more than bottled water!

Thanks all! I'm getting excited!

Athena wrote: MTR Store is a good place for south indian sweets & snacks (IIRC there's a tiffin room where you can eat in next door, I forget the name).

MTR store is named about the MTR tiffin room (TR) next door.

this is areal expereince - expect to wait, it is best to get their in the early morning, or early lunch - it isn't open in the afternoon. real south indian veg food, very well regarded by locals. pretty much a place that you point to otehr peoples plates to order, and order everything you think you might like, I have never spent more than $3 there.

I would suggest Bamboo Shoots resteraun near the chancery hotel, on museum road. an excellent example of indian style chinese food, which is a very specific type of food.

also Sahid Sind Sultan in the Eva mall - have your hotel make reservations. excellent place, the type of place middle class indians go to for a special meal.

MTR


Almost empty plate


Halfway through serving


Carrots


Green Beans and Coconuts


Stuffed


Dessert


Paan

CrazyC wrote:What I found funny at the Leela Palace brunch is that while they charge for water, beer, bloody marys, and soda were free... I would think beer would cost more than bottled water!

Okay, yes, that's bizarre!

MTR store is named about the MTR tiffin room (TR) next door.

Duh, thank you, my brain clearly froze on me ;D ITA that its a fun experience, good people watching as well as food.