Podi Idli Featured

Murugan Idli Shop | BEST (and SOFTEST) Fluffy Idlis on the Planet !

The main problem for beginners in Indian Cooking (even the experienced ones in some cases) is the challenge of getting the idli soft and fluffy. This is where the Murugan Idli Shop’s idli or podi idli scores big time.

I especially love the Podi Idli which melts in the mouth!

Idlys are the core of South Indian Cuisine, especially Tamil Nadu.

Today, I will show you the idli and podi idli that are the STAR dishes in Murugan Idli Kadai.

Plus the Murugan Idli Kadai Jigarthanda – a summer dessert drink.

Let’s jump in!


What is Murugan Idli Shop?

Murugan Idli Shop, also known as, Murugan Idli Kadai, is a South Indian Cuisine based restaurant which has its origins in Madurai – The Food Capital of Tamil Nadu.

Murugan Idli Kadai is an Authentic and Traditional Tamil Nadu based restaurant which is famous for its Idli, Podi Idli, Medhu Vadai, Masal Vadai, White Paniyaram, Chutney Varieties, etc and many more items.

(Murugan , a Tamil name, is Tamil’s God/Tamil Kadavul).

Murugan Idli Shop


Murugan Idli Kadai is a pure vegetarian restaurant.


Murugan Idli Shop – Madurai Address

196,
Westmasi Street,
Opposite to Pothys,
Madurai – 625 001.



Murugan Idli Shop clearly stands out from other South Indian restaurants when it comes to the Fluffy Idli.

My craving for soft and fluffy idli is always satisfied in Murugan Idly Kadai 100% of the time, irrespective of the branches I’ve had! Their taste is consistent across the branches.

The same applies to my husband. He simply loves the Podi Idli – he just can’t stop with one! We both double down (even triple down!) on the podi idlis!


Our Journey to the Madurai’s Murugan Idli Shop

On that particular day, my husband and I had to catch train from Madurai to Chennai. We had ample time in hand before catching the train.

Our tummy was already full (because we had good non-veg food!).

But a small space was created in our tummy at the mere thought of Podi Idli!

So we decided to visit the nearest Murugan Idli Kadai in West Masi Street in Madurai.

Murugan Idli Kadai West Masi Street


It is a busy street with many commercial complexes like Jos Alukkas, Pothys on the opposite side of the road.

We booked an auto and rode past Madurai Meenakshiamman Temple, Famous Jigarthanda Shop, and arrived at the restaurant.

There was some construction ( or renovation) work going on the front side of the restaurant. But we were guided by security to the inside of the restaurant.

The first dish we ordered was (as you guessed) – the Idli and Podi idli.

Idli Murugan Idli Kadai

The idlis were served along with Sambar (the leftmost one) and FOUR VARIETIES of Chutney!


New to Indian Cooking?

If you are a beginner or someone who is not sure on how to get started in Indian Cooking, please click on the below links for STEP By STEP GUIDE.

1. Essential Indian Cooking Tools – A Complete Guide for setting up basic Indian Equipment for cooking.
2. Essential Indian Spices – A Comprehensive Guide explaining the basics of Indian Spices which are Important for cooking Indian Foods.
3. How to Cook Rice Perfectly – Learn to Cook Indian Rice using 2 methods – Pot and Pressure Cooker


What is Murugan Idli Kadai’s Podi Idli?

Podi Idly is basically the normal steamed idly mixed over with idly podi and hot melted ghee.

These idlies are prepared by:

  1. Soaking Idly rice and urad dal separately for 4 hours.
  2. The soaked rice and dal are ground separately in batches until they are smooth and fine.
  3. They are later mixed well with salt and kept in a warm place for fermentation.

It is also believed that adding a little Beaten Rice (Aval) or Sago (Javvarisi) makes the idly fluffy and soft as a sponge.



The different varieties of chutney served were:

  • Coconut chutney
  • Mint chutney
  • Kara Chutney
  • Urad dal chutney
Murugan Idli Kadai Podi idli
Podi idli


As you can see, the Podi Idli was very inviting. Even though we were not hungry on that day, the taste of podi idli made us finish the idli quicker than we expected.

The mix of idli podi and ghee gives a rich texture visually and aromatically.

And the best part is THE SOFTNESS and FLUFFINESS!

Fluffy Podi idli


Tearing a small piece from the idly was a sensual experience! Taking the piece of idli, combining with all five varieties of chutney, then dipping into the sambar and then finally placing inside the mouth – the podi idli exploded in my mouth!!!.

No words can describe such an experience. The podi idli melts in your mouth and slips into the tummy even before you come out of the trance.

Podi idly Murugan Idly Kadai


After all, the idly, chutney and sambar are the best inventions (or discoveries) in the Indian Food world.

On top of that, these idlis are steam boiled with very fewer ingredients – because of which the digestive system is not clouded. They are easily digested, don’t make you drowsy (usually felt after having non-veg).

Podi idly Murugan Idli Kadai Madurai


Murugan Idli Shop Jigarthanda

Jigarthanda literally stands for “Cold Heart”. It means keeping ones body cool during peak summer. And Jigarthanda does that exactly.

Murugan Idli Kadai Jigarthanda

This summer drink has its origins in the Famous Jigarthanda shop, at Vilakuthoon. It is undoubtedly the best Jigarthanda out there.

Madurai Murugan Idli Kadai 2


The main ingredients used in the Jigarthanda are:

  • Badam Pisin
  • Caramelised Reduced Milk
  • Nannari Syrup (Sarsaparilla Syrup)


Murugan Idli Kadai Jigarthanda comes close to the original Jigarthanda. For people who don’t have the option of having the original one, Murugan Idli Kadai’s jigarthanda is a very good alternative!


Murugan Idli Shop in Chennai

The most famous branch is the one in Besant Nagar – very close to the sea.

Since we are now settled in Chennai, we usually visit this restaurant whenever we go out to the beach.

Idli and Podi idli


Another best thing about this restaurant is that the waiters carry the Podi Idli, Onion Uthappam and Vadas with them, all the time.

You just simply sit in your place and get the piping hot dishes right in your plate, without disturbing your food experience!


Conclusion:

Anyone who would like to know the REAL taste of South Indian Cuisine, especially the Tamil Nadu ones, Murugan Idli Shop MUST be in your TO-DO List!

Especially, the Idlis are the best ones on the planet!


If you like our experience of visiting restaurants and their beautiful PHOTOS, then you might also like the below:

Madurai Famous Jigarthanda

(Click on the above to enjoy the mouth-watering Madurai Jigarthanda!!!)


Traditional Iron/Cast Iron Cookwares

(Click on the above to explore the ancient and traditional cast iron cookwares from Madurai!!!)


Bangalore Donne Biryani Experience

(Click on the above to know about the BEST Biryani in Bangalore!)


Shri Sagar (CTR) Benne Dosa Mangalore Bajji

(Click on the above to explore the BEST Benne Dosa in Bangalore!)


Holige Mane Boli/Obbattu Varieties

(Click on the above to explore the different varieties of Obbattu in Bangalore!)


Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) – Bisi Bele Bath, Rava Idli

(Click on the above to explore the Bisi Bele Bath, Rava Idly in Bangalore!)


Death By Chocolate – Corner House Ice Cream

(Click on the above to dive into the Mouth Watering experience of the Dark Chocolate in Bangalore!)


Latest Posts

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *