Rice and curry

Rice and curry is a beloved dish in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. This meal typically features a generous serving of rice—either boiled or fried—accompanied by a variety of curries and side dishes.

A traditional rice and curry meal usually includes vegetable curry, a meat curry (often chicken or fish), dhal (spiced lentils), papadums (crispy wafers made from legume or rice flour), and sambals (fresh chutney side dishes). Though the portions may seem small, it is customary to refill the bowls as needed.

The curries are renowned for their rich flavors, created with spices like chili peppers, cardamom, cumin, and coriander. Southern cuisines often utilize local ingredients such as dried fish, and some dishes can be incredibly spicy due to the high chili content. While locals are accustomed to the heat, many tourists find it quite intense. To accommodate different tastes, restaurants in tourist areas frequently offer milder versions of local dishes or even provide "Western" menu options for visitors.