Chennai Masala Dosa - Authentic South Indian Comfort Food
Are you a fan of Indian food? I most certainly am. It is so comforting and full of flavor. What I didn't know about Indian cuisine was that it is so very different depending on the region. We often think of it as curry and naan, but Chennai Masala Dosa has shown me that there is so much more to it than that.
Chennai Masala Dosa ,Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Dosa at Chennai Masala Dosa ,Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Sambar and chutneys at Chennai Masala Dosa ,Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Chennai Masala Dosa specializes in South Indian cuisine, the only restaurant in Barcelona with this focus. It is a whole new world to discover! The star on the menu is the dosa (the name of the restaurant gives it away), and they have a whopping 22 different versions to choose between. Here they usually come served with sambar and chutney.
The masala dosa is filled with mashed potato, the paneer dosa with home-made fresh cheese, the Mysore dosa with red chili chutney... If you’re not familiar with dosas they are thin crepes made using fermented rice and lentil batter, and they are addictive. Your life won’t be the same after you’ve tried one, trust me.
Podi Idli at Chennai Masala Dosa ,Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Medu Vada at Chennai Masala Dosa ,Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
But there is plenty more to discover. Have you heard about Medu Vada? It is a South Indian fritter, usually made in a donut shape, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior. It is generally eaten as breakfast or a snack, and at Chennai, you can order it as an appetizer. The Podi Idly are pancake-like. steamed rice cakes sprinkled with a tasty spice mix. On my first visit, I was amazed at the variety of dishes I wasn't familiar with.
Amritha Rajkumar at Chennai Masala Dosa, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Chennai Masala Dosa is a family business, run by lovely Amritha Rajkumar and her family. They are incredibly friendly and always take such good care of their guests. They have a very large fan base in Barcelona, and when you visit, you understand why.
Chennai Masala Dosa, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Amritha shares that they make everything from scratch, including all the spice mixes. They use seasonal ingredients, and Amritha's mother; the chef who is in charge of the kitchen, prepares it all using traditional recipes.
South Indian food is generally vegetarian, so if you follow a plant-based diet, you have numerous tasty options. Many dishes are also naturally both gluten- and dairy-free. Also, every weekday there is a thali option for lunch that changes on a daily basis.
Chennai Masala Dosa, C. de Galileu, 326, 08028 Barcelona (Les Corts).
