9 South Indian non-vegetarian dishes that are a must-try

South Indian food is often restricted to idli, dosa, vada, sambar, and puttu. But did you know the region also boasts a wide range of spicy, flavourful, and indulgent non-vegetarian dishes? From mutton and chicken to fish and prawns, every region has its own set of non-vegetarian dishes enjoyed with rice and parotta. Scroll down to learn about some of the most popular dishes that are a must-try.

This one is native to the Chettinad region and is one of the spiciest chicken dishes made with chicken pieces cooked in a freshly ground Chettinad masala, black pepper, fennel, and curry leaves. It’s bold, fiery, and deeply flavourful and pairs well with parotta.

As the name suggests, it is native to Kerala and is cooked in a clay pot in a tangy red curry that uses coconut, tamarind (or kudampuli), and spices. It is best served with hot matta rice.

This chicken dish is native to Andhra region and is unapologetically spicy. It is a dry chicken dish tossed with whole spices, green chilies, curry leaves, and robust Andhra masala.

This one is for seafood lovers, where fresh prawns are roasted in ghee with a fiery red masala. It’s rich, slightly tangy, and dangerously addictive and is best enjoyed with parotta.

It is a slow-cooked, porridge-like dish made with meat, wheat, lentils, and spices, beaten into a smooth, hearty treat and is enjoyed especially during Ramadan.

This is a dry dish native to Tamil Nadu, made with tiny anchovies marinated with spices and shallow-fried until crisp. It is a spicy side dish enjoyed with rice.

It is a sweet, creamy and tangy curry made with coconut milk and flavoured with mild spices. It is traditionally paired with appam or idiyappam.

This mutton dish is spicy and slow cooked, where meat pieces are simmered with roasted spices, coconut bites and curry leaves until dry and intensely flavourful.

It is a fish preparation, where fresh water fish is marinated in a spicy masala, wrapped in banana leaf, and pan-grilled. It is smoky and juicy and very aromatic.

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