Mysore & Food [India 2022]

Mysore is easily one of the best cities to visit in India. It is compact in size, laid back in vibe, rich in history, and unique in culture. The same dynasty has been ruling the Mysore kingdom since the 12th century and is still living in a part of the magnificent palace.

I had Mutton Pulao (photo) for breakfast, and yes, that’s common in ‘military’ (non-veg) hotels there. ‘Gad bad’, a special fruit salad with ice cream and nuts from the weirdly named ‘Brahmin’s soda factory’ was quite delicious.

Mysore has a habit of prefixing its name to everything: mysore vadai (photo), mysore pak, mysore dhal…etc. But mysore masala dosai (photo), at the esteemed “original mylari hotel” (like original Pilawoos) was something so unique, that I wasn’t quite sure if it was masal dosai until I finished eating. I also had the famous biriyani from the RRR hotel.

If heaven exists, filter coffee must be what they serve there. This unique South Indian style of roasted coffee mixed with chicory, soaked and filtered in a traditional filter and served in a dabara: a cup and a dish into which you (customer) pour the coffee back and forth for mixing before you take a sip. The taste would stay with you for an hour. I brought a traditional filter and a few packets of roasted coffee from Kolkata back home.

Their local market was a sight to see. Women negotiating over mounds of colourful flowers under UV light, heaps of colour powers (for holi) placed left and right, were all so photogenic.

The Chamundi temple at the top of the hill had a winding queue of people caged between metal dividers, waiting to view the deity. I noped out and had a hot chocolate before taking a bus back.