Mark this Eid with a culinary expedition

All across the city, there are uplifting aromas of good food as the Muslim fraternity is marking Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan. Chennai’s lanes could not be more alive, filled with street vendors and shops selling authentic Ramzan delicacies from across the country. From haleem, shawarma, kebabs to biryani, the mouth-watering offerings are too many. So, we bring to you the best of Ramzan fare you can relish from nooks and corners of the city, so that you can keep the festive spirit going.

Eid, for many food lovers, is made more festive with haleem. The dish that includes meat slow-cooked along with wheat and lentils, spices in ghee over a period of at least 12 hours, brings the streets to life with robust flavours. The famed Hyderabadi haleem is one among the most sought after dishes this season. So, make sure you head out early in the evening to get your hands on this meaty goodness. Pista House, which has outlets in Royapettah and Perungudi, definitely stands as a strong contender for the one of best haleems in the city with its special spice mix. Abid’s is also buzzing around this season for their popular haleem and khubani ka meetha with fresh cream, an apricot-based sweet dish. The Fisherman’s Fare in Egmore and Haleem Express in Triplicane cannot be missed either.

Kebabs and shawarmas can be a great snack or even a meal. City has aplenty offerings of melt-in-the-mouth meats slow-cooked over coal fire. Hatimy’s in George Town has been a favourite among many foodies for their extremely soft yet flavourful kebabs — from malai seekh kebabs to keema samosas and lasooni tikka roll (garlic tikka), their meaty small eats are sure to please your tummy. A walk across Triplicane will make you come across several unnamed stalls and tiny eateries offering you the best of minced mutton cutlets, mutton samosas, shawarmas, yummy kebabs and much more. Al Najeeb Nawab of Kebab in Kilpauk is another small outlet that has existed for many years now with many loyal customers who keep making visits to the place for its seekh kebabs out of mutton and veal.

How can one miss out on a fragrant biryani in their Eid feast? While we don’t intend to set off wars among biryani lovers, Ya Mohideen in Pallavaram for their tender mutton biryani and Sukkubhai in Alandur and Perungudi, for their beef biryani are definitely worth trying. For Tamil Muslim-style biryani give Charminar Biryani Centre, a tiny outlet in Royapettah a shot. Most of these biryani outlets keep their menus short — but they certainly deliver the best of those dishes.

Shahi tukda (a bread-based dessert),khubani ka meetha and sheer kurma (vermicelli pudding) are quite popularly made during the Ramzan month. Many of the restaurants offer either one or all of these delicacies on the day of Eid. But if you want to try some authentic Middle-Eastern specialties like Kanafeh (semolina dough soaked in sugar syrup and layered with cheese and nuts) can also be found in Chennai at restaurants like Arab Street, Al Soukand Kebapci.