A Culinary Journey into Badaga Cuisine at THE Park Bangalore

Monsoon, the 24-hour dining restaurant at THE Park Bangalore, invites diners to explore the rich heritage of Badaga cuisine from the Nilgiri hills. From November 22nd to 24th, 2024, experience an exclusive five-course meal crafted in collaboration with educationist-turned-restaurateur Dr. Suresh Belliraj and his family. Dr. Belliraj, who runs Odae restaurant in the Nilgiris, introduced this Badaga-inspired meal as a tribute to his heritage. The menu was curated by his sister Chitra Devaraj and mother Meenakshi Belliraj, with contributions from the entire family.  

Badaga cuisine reflects the community's harmonious relationship with nature, featuring indigenous ingredients like ragi, little millet, and high-grown wheat. Their primarily vegetarian diet incorporates foraged vegetables, greens, and root crops, with meat consumed sparingly. Traditionally served on large metal platters called ganguwa, this cuisine is nutrient-rich and ideal for enduring cold monsoons.  

The five-course menu highlights traditional dishes such as:  

Pothithu – Whole Wheat Pancakes with Honey  

- Erigihittu/Sandagai – Ragi Balls with Garlic Chutney  

- Koi Uthukka – Chicken Curry with Old-Style Bread  

- Nilagiri Kurma – Mixed Vegetable Curry with Old-Style Bread  

- Badu Uthukka – Mutton Curry with Rice  

- Avarai Uthukka – Bean Curry with Rice  

Accompaniments include spiced coconut milk as a palate cleanser and digestive items like domba rasa (tomato-garlic rasam) and majjige hittu (little millet in buttermilk). For dessert, indulge in ennaihittu (sweet paniyaram) and hatchikkai (popped millet with coconut milk).  

Celebrate this unique culinary journey, blending tradition and family legacy, at Monsoon.