Almost every day we see a new food trend take the Internet or social media by storm. There are some trends that we wish would disappear by the end of the week. But there's one trend in Chennai that we're happy has stayed the course - the stuffed paniyaram or the stuffed kuzhi paniyaram.
This trend is also playing out at WelcomCafe Marina, the all-day dining destination at the Welcomhotel Chennai Cathedral Road that has returned after a major overhaul. One of the most scrumptious snacks in South India , the kuzhi paniyaram takes its name from the kuzhi or the depressions in a special pan that are purposed for these delicious dumplings. It's one of the most popular street food dishes in many parts of South India (It's called guliyappa in Karnataka).
The WelcomCafe Marina offers a special selection called Taste of Madras that reimagines some of the popular streets of Chennai and beyond. The menu has room for a clever rasam ramen and a Kozhi (chicken) ghee Roast Slider but it's the stuffed paniyaram that caught our attention. There's a Beans Vepudu Paniyaram Takoyaki that's embellished with kempu chutney, homemade mayonnaise, sesame seed, peanut, and crackling spinach.
There's also a bold play on a pork dumpling - the Pork Paniyaram Takoyaki with a similar stuffing. Also Read : Chettinad Kara Paniyaram May Cause Food Frenzy And Happy Tummies We're seeing quite a few restaurants and bars across the city experimenting with the paniyaram. The basic recipe remains the same, it's the .
