By: Travel and Food Network

Tamil Nadu is a mixed bag of layered cultural life, striking regions, scenic sights and, above all, delectable lip-smacking local cooking. When one thinks of Tamil Nadu, they are enveloped by the fragrance of filter coffee, sambar and a blend of common Indian spices like curry leaves, tamarind, ginger, cloves, and cardamom across others. But there is so much more to the state than the stereotyped idli-sambar-rasam combination, there is a spectrum of nuanced dishes and hidden flavours.

Every dish is well-thought and comes with a story of its own; most ingredients hold a medicinal value and the king of culinary oils, sesame oil, is used practically in every meal. There are different cuisines under the larger umbrella of Tamil Nadu food: Chettinad, Kongunadu, Mudaliar, Thanjavur across others. And let’s not forget the famed shrine food, which is well-known around the world. It’s hard to pick just one particular kind whilst there so we suggest you sample a little bit of everything;