The availability of coconut, fish and root tubers have influenced the culinary creations of the South. South Indian cuisine is rice based and rice is often combined with lentils to make wonderful dosas, idlis, vadas and uttapams.

These exclusive dishes are glorious and delicious besides being nourishing and extremely healthy. They are combined with sambhar (dal), rasam (tamarind dal), dry and curried vegetable and pachadi (yogurt). South Indian rice preparations are also masterpieces like biryani from Hyderabad, lemon rice and rice seasoned with coconut peanuts, tamarind, chilies, curry leaves, urad dal and fenugreek seeds. South India has a distinctive cuisine, totally different from the rest of India.

South Indian chutneys are made of tamarind, coconut, peanuts, dal, fenugreek seeds, and cilantro. South Indian dals and curries are soupier than North Indian dals and curries. South Indian cuisine is also hotter.

South Indian cuisine is a brilliant blend of flavours, colours, seasoning, nutritional balance, fragrance, taste, and visual appeal.