Ratna Cafe
Idly is a small, fist size fermented rice cake popular with people across south India, but particularly in Chennai. Served with sambhar (mild lentil soup) and some spicy chutneys, it makes the perfect light meal. While they are aren’t easy to make at home, they can thankfully be purchased for a small cost in restaurants across the Tamil capital.
Idly Sambhar at Ratna Cafe (Photo: Mohammed Fazeel)
While there are many places one can sample the delights of idly sambhar, my personal favourite is Ratna Cafe, on Triplicane Road, Triplicane, new the corner with Pycrofts Road (Whites Road). Ratna’s standing in the Chennai culinary scene is confirmed by an article in Chennai’s The Hindu newspaper, tracing 66 years of culinary tradition.
Idly Sambhar at Ratna Cafe (Image: Happy Trips)
The idlys are perfectly steamed, hot and squidgy as they should be. And the zesty sambhar is piping hot too – smothered all over the rice cakes, served on a banana leaf and accompanied by coconut and tomato chutney. The service is prompt but disinterested.
Pongol at Ratna Cafe (Image: Trip Advisor)
There are other things on the menu, like dosa, pongal and otthapam (all south Indian, all vegetarian of course), and Chennai-style brewed coffee is served, but people come here for the idly. Downstairs is the communal dining room, while upstairs is an air conditioned area. Make no mistake – this is not an upmarket option, by any stretch of the imagination. But for the true taste of idly sambhar, it’s one of Chennai’s most authentic, and best!
Ratna Cafe on Triplicane Road (Image: The Hindu)
Details
Food: 9/10
Ambience: 5/10
Service: 7/10
Cost: INR 100 mains
255 Triplicane High Road, Triplicane
(044) 28487181
Daily: 7:30am – 10:30pm
Looks so delicious! Chennai is definitely on my radar. I have a friend there.
Ohhhhh you’ll definitely have to go there! I LOVE Chennai, and the food is scrumptious!! 🙂
Lentil soup is one of my favorites, winter, spring, summer or fall! I would love to try that!:-)
It’s really different, that’s for sure!! Not sure where you could find it in New York – a good chain of restaurants in Chennai is Saravana Bhavan; it’s canteen style eating, but it’s authentic!! They have a branch in New York, if I recall correctly. Thanks for reading!
Fermented rice cake… the word fermented does make me scrunch my nose a little, but, I do like the look of the saucy soup stuff. What does Chennai-style brewed coffee taste like?
I know what you mean, but when they say fermented, it’s more like ‘set’, in the same way that yogurt sets (or ferments). Then they steam it! It’s delicious!!
And Chennai-style coffee is quite similar to the coffee in Indonesia – strong and bold, served filtered-style. The difference is that Chennaikers normally take milk and sugar. You might be able to try this at a Tamil restaurant in Sydney, if not in Canberra. Saravana Bhavan (a Chennai-based canteen-style chain) have a branch in Parramatta – http://saravanabhavan.com/restaurants.php?cn=Australia&cy=Sydney&rid=88 – they would do both idly sambhar and Chennai-style coffee 🙂
Mr.Fazeel released the photo of Ratna cafe sambar idly and pongal .I left chennai in 1986. When i was chennai I never missed Ratna cafe idly and sambar and Ratna cafe is known for its so tasty sambar. People used to order for one plate idly and drink one drum of sambar.As seen from the photo, Ratna cafe buidling face-lift changed. Good old good things
Thanks for reading 🙂