Idli, dosa, uttapam and vada are South Indian dishes made from fermented rice and urad dal batter or ground lentils. Idli is a steamed rice cake, dosa a thin crisp crepe, uttapam a thick soft pancake with toppings, and vada a fried lentil doughnut. All are served with sambar and chutney, and most are vegan and gluten free.
One batter, many dishes
South Indian breakfast and snack menus look confusing until you know the secret: idli, dosa and uttapam all start from the same kind of batter, a mixture of rice and urad dal that is ground and left to ferment. How it is cooked decides what it becomes. Vada uses ground urad dal on its own.
The four dishes compared
| Dish | How it is made | Texture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idli | Fermented batter steamed in moulds | Soft, spongy, white | A light meal or starter |
| Dosa | Batter spread thin on a hot griddle | Crisp, golden, tangy | A main meal, with fillings |
| Uttapam | Thicker batter cooked on both sides with toppings | Soft inside, lightly crisp outside | Sharing, or a filling lunch |
| Vada | Ground urad dal shaped into rings and fried | Crisp outside, fluffy inside | A starter, or dipped in sambar |
What goes with them
- Sambar – a lentil and vegetable stew. See what is sambar.
- Coconut chutney – fresh and cooling.
- Chilli or tomato chutney – for heat and tang, depending on the kitchen.
At Herb (Leicester prices)
- Idli – £5.95, steamed rice and lentil cakes with sambar and coconut chutney (GF, NF, V).
- Uzhunnu Vada – £6.45, golden-fried lentil doughnuts with hot sambar (GF, NF, V).
- Idli Sambar and Vada Sambar – £9.95, dipped in a bowl of hot sambar.
- Uthappam – plain, onion, mix, masala and herb, from £8.95.
- Dosa – from £6.89. See dosa near me in Leicester and Leamington Spa.
The Leamington Spa menu has its own prices: see the Leamington Spa menu.
Are they healthy, vegan and gluten free?
Made from rice and lentils, these dishes contain no wheat and no dairy in the batter, so they are traditionally vegan and gluten free. Check the tags on the menu, because fillings and accompaniments can contain dairy, and rava versions use semolina. Fried items such as vada are richer than steamed idli. See is Indian food healthy?
Try them
Herb Leicester, 96 Granby Street: book a table. Herb Leamington Spa, Clarendon Avenue: book a table.
FAQ
What is the difference between idli and dosa?
Both are made from fermented rice and urad dal batter. Idli is steamed into soft round cakes; dosa is spread thin on a hot griddle into a crisp crepe.
What is uttapam?
Uttapam is a thick, soft pancake made from the same fermented batter, cooked on both sides and topped with onion, vegetables or spices.
What is vada?
Vada (uzhunnu vada) is a fried doughnut-shaped fritter made from urad dal, crisp outside and soft inside, served with sambar and chutney.
Are these dishes gluten free?
Traditionally yes, because they are made from rice and lentils. At Herb, idli, vada, uthappam and most dosas are tagged GF; rava dosas use semolina and are not gluten free.
Visit Herb Restaurant
Authentic vegetarian and vegan South Indian & Kerala food in Leicester and Leamington Spa.
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