Chettinad Recipes

Chettinad cuisine hails from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu and is among the most fiery and aromatic cuisines of South India. Developed by the prosperous Nattukotai Chettiars, a merchant community with global trade connections, the cuisine incorporates an extraordinary range of spices including kalpasi, marathi mokku, and star anise. Signature dishes include Chettinad chicken, pepper crab, and kothu parotta. The cuisine's bold, peppery heat and complex spice layering make it distinctive among Indian culinary traditions.