Andhra Pradesh is famous for its spicy cuisines that give you a taste of India’s rich spices. Red chilli is cultivated in large volumes in the state and is added to nearly every spicy dish here. Whether it’s Hyderabad’s delicious Biryani or the spicy fish curry served with tamarind sauce, the food in Andhra Pradesh is undoubtedly unique, spicy, and full of flavours.
Foodies plan a trip to Hyderabad and the nearby cities to taste the cuisine of Andhra Pradesh. It’s not just the spicy and savoury food, though. The state is also known for its sweet recipes to satisfy those hunger pangs.
Traditional food in Andhra Pradesh that you should try on your next trip.
1. Hyderabadi Biryani
Hyderabadi Dum Biryani tops the list of the most mouth watering, flavourful recipes in Andhra Pradesh. With so many ingredients and just the right amount of spices, the chicken Biryani is cooked in the most traditional way, i.e. over Dum. The chicken is marinated with yoghurt and all the essential spices. It is then cooked with rice over Dum. The Biryani is cooked until the rice absorbs all the juices from the meat and the spices, giving it a perfect flavour. This incredible combination of rice, Masalas, and meat will leave you craving more.
2. Chepa Pulusu
Andhra’s special fish curry, Chepa Pulusu is a tasty gravy in which the fish is tossed in the tamarind sauce. The thick, spicy gravy is made of cumin, poppy seeds, fenugreek, peppercorn, and mustard. It’s prepared with lots of spices and a considerable amount of oil, giving it an authentic Hyderabadi flavour and a perfect taste. One plate of Chepa Pulusu is all that you need to indulge in the delicacies of Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad. Since it’s a famous Andhra cuisine, you can have it at just about any Hyderabadi restaurant.
3. Gutti Vankaya Kura
The state doesn’t disappoint vegetarians. If you are looking for something healthy and tempting, consider this spicy eggplant curry. It’s prepared with stuffed eggplants, which are stuffed with various Andhra spices and seasoning to add magic to the recipe. The thick gravy produces a strong aroma. Gutti Vankaya Kura is especially famous in Vijayawada. If you happen to visit the city, order this scrumptious dish with ghee roti or rice.
4. Pesarattu
Your trip to South India is incomplete without Dosa. Served with different chutneys, this quick and lightweight recipe made of grounded rice and stuffed with potato filling taste is mouth-watering.
Pesarattu is a Moong Dal dosa recipe that’s prepared in most households for breakfast. It’s served with tomato and coconut chutney. You can also stuff the dosa with upma for added flavour. This Moong Dal version of dosa tastes amazing, especially with coconut chutney. If you want something different from the typical Parathas for breakfast, try Pesarattu at a local restaurant in the state.
5. Curd Rice
You may have heard that a South Indian meal is incomplete without rice. Well, they have tons of creative ways to prepare rice with different seasonings and tempering so that one won’t get bored of having the same meals over and over. One such popular recipe in Andhra that completes a South Indian platter is curd rice.
The recipe for curd rice is super simple. You only need unsweetened curd, rice, and your favourite vegetables, and mix them to prepare this dish. It’s lightweight, healthy, and offers the best flavour. Give it a nice Tadka and your curd rice is ready. Hyderabad’s curd rice tastes just perfect. So, the next time you visit the city, make sure you order a plate of curd rice.
6. Punugulu
Punugulu is a famous Andhra street food that’s cooked in every household during rainy evenings. It’s a tea-time snack, just like Pakoda. These are made of Urad Dal, onion, and spices. Once the batter is ready, it’s deep-fried until Punugulu turns golden brown. The dish is served with coconut and tomato chutney. You can have it as a starter or just a snack for the evening. Punugulu are made of Idli mixture, and their taste depends on the consistency of the batter. The thicker and smoother the batter, the tastier this Andhra snack gets.
7. Bobbatlu
So far, we have only discussed the spicy and tangy flavours of Andhra cuisines. But do you know the state is equally famous for its sweet recipes? Bobbatlu is one such dessert that’s simple to make yet has a perfect sweet aftertaste. It’s an Indian flatbread filled with jaggery and sweet stuffing.
Also called Puran Poli, Bobbatlu is a famous cuisine of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Prepared mostly during special occasions and festivals, Bobbatlu is quite common in nearly all cities in Andhra Pradesh. If you need something healthy and sweet for breakfast, order Bobbatlu on Swiggy.
8. Gongura Pachadi
Indians need pickles on the side for every meal. One such popular chutney that’s made with sorrel leaves is Gongura Pachadi. Although it’s not a main dish, it’s so delicious that you can have it with regular Chapatis and rice. If you are looking for something spicy, the Gongura Pachadi chutney is your best option. You can have it as a side dish with the main course or have a roti with this pickle (whatever sounds good).
9. Medu Vada
Another famous South Indian delicacy that’s prepared during special occasions is Medu Vada. You can have it for breakfast too, alongside Dosa and Idli. This doughnut-shaped dish is crunchy on the outside and sweet on the inside. Also called an Indian doughnut, Medu Vada is made of Urad Dal, curry leaves, and several spices. Urad Dal is soaked overnight in water and then ground to make a thick paste for this unique recipe.
10. Gonguro Mutton
If you are in the mood for a spicy mutton recipe, try Gonguro mutton. Just like Sorrel leaves are used for the pickle, this mutton recipe has all the right spices, seasonings, and flavours. The gravy is thickened with coconut milk. This spicy mutton curry is your go-to dish for days when you are craving something simple, spicy, and non-vegetarian. And if you happen to be in Hyderabad, this is just the right cuisine to order.
12. Crispy Bhindi
Bhindi is a popular vegetable in India and is cooked in nearly every Indian household, but there’s something special about Hyderabad’s Bhindi that makes it an ideal choice for those craving crunchy and spicy dishes.
For a simple meal in Andhra Pradesh, order crispy Bhindi that’s stuffed with different Masalas and seasoning and have it with Roti. The vegetable is stir-fried with different spices and offers a taste and aroma that’s loved by all locals and tourists. Featuring Andhra’s special spices, crispy Bhindi is one of the must-have recipes that everyone should taste here.
