U-zhaan visits India almost every year and is familiar with local cuisine. He once spent several months in Chennai studying the classical instrument known as the kanjira. There, he discovered "meals," a South Indian set meal consisting of rice, curry, and sambar, a spicy soup, all on one plate.
"South Indian cuisine is light and made with coconut and a sour fruit called tamarind, and compared to the rich cuisine of North India, it tends to have a lighter taste and texture. The ingredients are mainly vegetables, but strangely enough, you never get tired of it even if you eat it every day."
After returning to Japan, he traveled around India, trying to replicate the food experiences of his time. Some restaurants are run by local chefs who faithfully recreate the cuisine, such as Tanjai Meals in the Thanjavur region, famous for its rice, and Bangera's Kitchen, where you can sample fish dishes unique to Mangalore by the sea. Nandori, run by a Japanese person captivated by the flavors of Tamil Nadu, is just as good as the local dishes.
"The flavors at Srimangalam A/C are particularly close to the ones I had in Chennai, and it makes you feel like you've been transported to India. There are many restaurants in Tokyo where you can enjoy the 'real' South Indian cuisine, so I hope you'll find one that serves your favorite regional cuisine and keep coming back."
Bangela's Kitchen (Yurakucho)
This restaurant offers the flavors of Mangalore, a city famous for its gourmet cuisine. The restaurant's spices bring out the umami of seafood, and the menu offers a full menu of dishes, from a la carte to full courses, perfect for drinking. It's perfect for both everyday use and banquets. The Masala Dosa Thali is 1,500 yen.
Nandori (in front of Arakawa Amusement Park)
The restaurant's name comes from "nandri," which means "thank you" in Tamil. Many of the dishes are vegetable-based, gluten-free, and easy on the stomach. Enjoy the casual, home-cooked flavors. Lunch meals are 1,300 yen (1,500 yen on Saturdays and holidays).
Srimangalam A/C (Soshigaya-Okura)
This Chettinad restaurant boasts a unique food culture even within India. Meals are served on banana leaves and customers are generous with unlimited refills. The restaurant will be renovated in March 2025, increasing its seating capacity from 30 to 60. Non-vegetarian meals are 2,000 yen.
Tanjai Meals (Hatagaya)
This meal has a simple taste that recreates the flavors of the chef's hometown, Thanjavur. You can get one free refill of not only rice but also sambar and rasam. There is also a wide selection of light snacks called "tiffin." A veggie meal costs 1,450 yen.
