Being out of home, sometimes it gives you the impression that you stay in a whole different world but suddenly when those accustomed tastes grasp you, the feeling is merely like home reaching your way; precisely, it all happened the moment I entered MTR at Canada with all my friends. Indeed, it sounded like a MAVALLI TIFFIN ROOM where we planned to celebrate our end of the first semester, so it sounded no way better than hanging out with having some real SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE.
The journey to MTR
MTR is an iconic name in Bangalore. Decades of mouth-watering South Indian food have been dished out of its doors, and I grew up eating at that place. The flavors of its signature dishes are etched in my memory. So, the moment I came to know MTR had opened a branch in Canada, I could not wait to share it with my friends, who never tasted South Indian cuisine.
It was like entering a time machine from the chilly streets of Canada to the warm, bustling streets of Bangalore. The smell of spices and filter coffee brewed fresh filled the air, instantly bringing back memories of my hometown.
The first bite: Masala Dosa
Of course, one of the most famous dishes from South India is Masala Dosa: a thin golden-brown crepe, crispy fried, with spice-smelling filling inside of potatoes, well complemented with coconut chutney and sambar-a kind of spicy lentil soup. But overall, the Masala Dosa is a real South Indian delicacy.
I could not wait to see my friends’ faces after having it. And their eyes were wide with the first mouthful. The crunch of the dosa outside, yielding creamy, spicy potatoes inside, was exactly right. The coconut chutney cooled down the spiciness of the sambar, balancing it perfectly. My classmates were hooked. And that pure delight on their faces upon first taste of their South Indian meal-it just could not get any better than watching them relish a piece of my diversity.
Exploring the taste of South India
Exotic and exciting, South Indian cuisine is about the diverse palette of flavors and textures. Each dish has something to say through its spices-so well put in the balance of harmony on your plate. And as we dug deeper into the menu of other dishes, it almost felt like being in Bangalore again, with all the taste I had along with my family.
We feasted on a few snacks-all classic South Indian fare-think crispy uddina vade, or fried lentil doughnuts, and soft, pillowy idlis, or steamed rice cakes. Each dish was more than food; it was a link to my roots, a childhood back in Bangalore. It then hit me-how special these foods really are-watching my friends savor the flavors. It is not just about taste, but the culture and memories tagged along with them.
Filter Coffee – Taste of home
What is a south Indian meal without its staple filter coffee? And nobody, but nobody makes it better than the south Indians. MTR made it just like I used to have in Bangalore – strong and fragrant.
I watched my friends take their first sip, and I could see the delight in their eyes. They had never tasted anything quite like it before. Filter coffee was the cherry on top to make the experience of eating there unforgettable for me. It reminded me of the trivial things in life, like the smell of coffee in the morning which can often make you feel a little closer to home, no matter how far away you are from it.
Sharing South Indian cuisine
Their faces, as they tasted for the first time, said it all. Extremely far from comfort, it would touch a chord deep inside, knowing I share something so close to them. MTR was not a restaurant; it formed a bridge between two worlds, my hometown-Bangalore-and the one I had harnessed out here in Canada.
There is something so unique about South Indian cuisine. From the sour sambar to the sponge-like idlis, every item within it typifies some component of the region’s history and culture. It was like sharing a part of myself with my friends by being able to introduce them to these tastes, and it felt great to see them enjoy it so much.
A memorable experience
More than food, this visit to MTR was an experience: an end-of-the-semester celebration, a bonding-over-food affair. The authenticity of the South Indian cuisine-most of all Masala Dosa and filter coffee-made me feel as if I was in Bangalore, although miles away from home.
And for those of you who have not had South Indian food yet, I encourage you to go for it. Whether you happen to be in Canada or if you are in India, MTR promises you a very original taste of Bangalore-sure to drive you right to the heart of South India. If you have loved Indian food ever, here’s MTR: the most fitting place for the re-trying of favorites and finding newer ones.
For that, after all, it is the magical way in which food brings people together. And in that instant, I knew that no matter where life would take any one of us, a slice of home would always be on the plate.