The famous Murugan Idli Shop!!

Murugan Idli Shop - this might sound a new name to you, but for the passengers of Indian Railways who have had their breakfast of Idlis and Vadai sambar at the Madurai railway station will tell you otherwise. These people, including me and my dad, blindly trust this brand name for the sheer taste  and quality that they offer. Murugan Idli Shop is one of the rising South Indian cuisine brands in India and Singapore. A recent entrant into the Chennai market, they have been seeing a hugely positive response from the masses. People of Chennai typically don't go out to eat Idlis at restaurants, but most people break the trend here as the Idlis at Murugan Idli Shop are much better than the ones made at home.


On the morning of Aug 16, 2009, my friends and I went to sample their Idlis for breakfast at their newly opened T Nagar branch in Chennai. We had to wait for a while as this place was bustling with people and activity even at 10 AM, which is post standard breakfast timings. Once we found our place, steaming hot Idlis, 4 types of Chutneys and Sambar was served to us on plantain leaves. On special request, one can even ask for the searing mulagai podi (gunpowder mix made of lentils, red chillies and sesame seeds) with nalla yennai (sesame oil). The food was truly amazing. It was the best South Indian breakfast I have tasted. The only breakfast that tastes better than this are the ones cooked at my Grandma's place. After a series of helpings, we topped off our breakfast list with Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Jaggery Rice) and steaming hot South Indian filter coffee. 

While I liked the hygiene that this place offered, I would prefer if they did not serve drinking water in disposable plastic glasses and rather in traditional stainless steel tumblers. Overall, a great dining experience. Traditional South Indian breakfast at its very best!