With the weather recently taking a wet and windy turn, I have been in the mood for spices that warm your body and rich flavours that reinvigorate your soul.
And there really is no better cuisine to do that than Indian food.
For vegetarians such as myself, the Indian restaurant scene is always welcoming with plenty of meat free options.
Idly Sambar however takes it one step further, specialising in vegetarian South Indian cuisine with vegan options.
For those that are unfamiliar with the difference, South Indian cuisine tends to have vegetables and seafood as the centrepiece of their dishes as compared to North Indian cuisine which uses more meat and dairy.
South Indian dishes also typically have more tropical and spicy flavours than its North counterpart, frequently incorporating ingredients such as tamarind, mustard seed, cardamom, nutmeg and turmeric that help boost your metabolism and have anti-inflammatory properties.
This brings us back to Idly Sambar, which boasts an impressive array of vegetarian dishes with so many choices that you probably won’t even miss the meat.
I decided to try their highly recommended Breakfast Thali, which comes with many elements - idly, vada, poori, masala dosa and different chutneys.
Typically eaten for breakfast, this is a vibrant dish with so many different components and complex flavour profiles that makes it an adventure to try.
Their chutneys are made from cabbage and spinach, with a tangy and fresh flavour that cuts through the doughiness of the idly, a soft and fluffy steamed rice cake.
On the other hand, the yellow curry is made from peas, resulting in a savoury yet sweet aftertaste that pairs well with the masala dosa, a crispy crepe stuffed with savoury potatoes.
I can’t leave out mentioning the lentil soup, an invigorating palate cleanser in between bites; or the accompanying Gulab Jamun for dessert, a nicely caramelised fried dough ball that is soaked through with a cinnamon sauce that served as a satisfying end to the meal.
To me, this entire dish is a great representation of Indian Cuisine - a symphony of fresh ingredients, bold spices and interesting flavours that makes your taste buds come alive.
I also got to try Idly Sambar’s Mushroom Manchurian, one of my personal favourites that I always order at Indian restaurants.
Battered, chewy and drenched in a zingy sweet and spicy gravy, this was a delightful dish that really whetted my appetite, although I would have preferred it a tad bit crispier.
With all the heat in my food, their Wonder Watermelon drink was a much welcome complement to my dishes.
Refreshing with minty notes and a sparkling watermelon taste, it left me feeling rejuvenated as it lifted away any heaviness I would usually have after a big meal.
Situated along New North Road, Idly Sambar is decorated with soft neon lights and has friendly staff always around to provide recommendations in case you can’t decide what to order.
If you are ever in the mood for humble South Indian food in an unpretentious, cosy environment that makes you feel right at home, make sure to check out this place.
Idly Sambar 2/455 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
Tried and Tasted: Vada, Masala Dosa, Chilli Mushroom
This article is brought to you in partnership with Idly Sambar.
