Despite the fascination of Bengalureans with global cuisines and gastronomic experimentation, the comfort of familiarity can’t be denied when it comes to food. Which is perhaps why Bengaluru regularly consumes the most number of idlies among all the cities in India.

According to an analysis of its orders by food delivery platform UberEats, the humble idli is the most ordered breakfast item on its platform in India. Bengaluru consumes the most idlis, and the ‘thatte idli’ is the clear favourite in the city.

Next in the list of top idli-loving cities are Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad.

“It’s absolutely healthy because it is the only fermented food which is steamed. It’s high in proteins and can be easily digested by the body which makes it very good for your health. A diet of idlies will ensure good weight loss. There is almost a cult following for idlies, our orders for the same have increased exponentially in the past one and a half years,” says Manu Nair, corporate executive chef, Bonsouth, Upsouth and South Indies.

Breakfast staple of India

Idli has emerged as the staple Indian breakfast with the item being most consumed during the morning, especially between 7.30 am and 11:30 am, according to the UberEats analysis.

However, Manu says that it has now become an ‘anytime’ meal; you can have it anytime during the day.



Peri peri idlies



Makeover mania

“In the wake of experimentation (we are serving some innovative chutneys with our idlies), people have started liking this even more. We have also come up with something called ‘Uthly’, which is like a burger made from idlies. It is low on calories and quite tasty. It can be had on the go, unlike a traditional idli dish,” says Manu Nair.

Some éclectic makeovers have resulted in dishes like Chicken Fry Idli, Idli Manchurian, Chocolate Idli, Mushroom Fry idli, French Fry Idli and so on.

How did World Idli Day originate?

It’s said to be the brainchild of Eniyavan, a popular idli-only caterer from Chennai. For the last three years, March 30 has been celebrated as World Idli Day. #WorldIdliDay has been one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter on the day for the last three years.

What the order analysis also found

Most Indians requested extra chutney, sambhar and the spicy ‘podi’ to go with a plate of hot idlis. Among the beverages, the preferred partner for idlies is fresh lime soda, masala lassi and jal jeera.

Globally, San Francisco, London and New Jersey are the top idli ordering cities.

A consumer in Mumbai ordered 110 plates of idlis on February 23, 2019.

Some of the best idlis in town

Even though there are many places serving ‘idli with a twist’, some of the old eateries are still the best bet for hot steaming idli. Apart from the plain idlis, rava idli, thatte idli, podi idli and more can be found here.

Here are some of the places that serve soft, moist idlis with spicy chutney and sambhar.