Thindi- Idly day, Begur

Every neighborhood has its hidden gems, those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spots that serve up food far too good for their humble appearance. In the bustling area of Begur, Bangalore, one such spot is fast becoming a morning ritual for those in the know: the delightful, unpretentious, and aptly named Idly Day. Infact that morning, we headed out towards Krishna Kuteera which is a few yards down from here when we spotted the yellow buulding and board, plus crowd piling outside. This is what drew us to the place and it was so gooood.. 🙂 

This isn’t your fancy, air-conditioned cafe. This is a true-blue, small-scale, hole-in-the-wall joint. You’ll likely see the steam rising and the small queue forming before you even spot the minimal signboard. But let me tell you, what this place lacks in seating and decor, it makes up for tenfold in the sheer quality of its namesake dish and others as well.

The Allure of the Perfect Idli

The essence of Idly Day is simple: they focus on a few things and do them flawlessly. Their star is, of course, the Idli. These are not the dense, heavy discs you sometimes encounter. The ones here are super soft, melt-in-your-mouth soft, almost unbelievably so. They arrive on your plate fresh, hot, and fluffy, a testament to perfect fermentation and steaming.

You have to try the Podi Idli. It’s their signature and the reason for the frenzy. It was one big flat idli slathered with a generous dollop of fresh, melting butter and lots of flavour packed podi – served alongside their excellent, earthy sambar and two varieties of fresh, vibrant chutney. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that is the very definition of comfort food.

While the idlis are the main event, don’t miss out on their other offerings. The Vada was crisp, light, and perfectly seasoned—a great contrast to the softness of the idli. And my partner ordered the Mini tiffin- a small masala dosa that was freshly made, idli, upma, kesari[sheera] , a kind of veg pulao and shevige along with 3 chutneys- tomato chilli chutney, peanut chutney, and coconut chutney along with hot sambar. We also tried their regular Masala Dosa which was a bigger version of what was served in the mini thali & just as good. Along with this, we had ordered two filter kaapis – which was the only thing we didnt really enjoy, cos it was way too sweet for us. Gulped it down just cos we didnt want to waste it.

Everything here is served up quickly and with a smile, embodying the spirit of a genuine, community-focused eatery. It’s a place for a quick, satisfying, and incredibly budget-friendly breakfast or snack. You’ll find yourself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, office-goers, and students, all united by a shared love for simple, delicious South Indian fare.While we were there, saw quite a few people come with containers and take parcel [which is proof of how good the place is]. Bigger surprise- they are not on any food delivery app [ atleast we’ve not found them on Swiggy or Zomato]

So, next time you’re in Begur and the breakfast craving hits, skip the big chains. Head to Idly Day. Look for the steam, follow the delicious aroma, and prepare to have your definition of a ‘perfect idli’ completely rewritten.

Have you stumbled upon a similar hidden food gem in your neighborhood? Share your favorite hole-in-the-wall spot in the comments below!

Podi Idli

Mini Tiffin- idli, vadai, masala dosai, upma, veg pulao, kesari

 Masala Dosai