Rice over naan. From traditional healthy meals to exquisite Japanese cuisine. The latest food news in Bengaluru, South India

When you think of South India, you think of the traditional meal "Karavalli"

Bengaluru is one of the cities in India with the most delicious food. You might be overwhelmed with what to eat and where to go, but first, try some traditional South Indian meals.
The restaurant "Karavalli" in the Gateway Hotel boasts consistently delicious food, where you can taste meals from South India, especially coastal areas (only available at lunchtime).

The meals (from 1,500 rupees) served on banana leaves are colorful and delicious to the eye, with a lineup of dishes such as mango curry, okra and paprika curry, and fried white fish. In South India, many people eat rice as their staple food rather than naan or chapati, so delicious rice is also included, which is a delight for Japanese people, and satisfies both the stomach and the heart.
At dinner time, you should definitely try the seafood dishes that are freshly delivered from the coast. As Bengaluru is landlocked, seafood is a rare commodity and many expats who live here visit this restaurant when they want to eat some delicious seafood.

Enjoy delicious beef at "Portland Steakhouse & Cafe"

When talking about food in Bengaluru, one thing that cannot be left out is the delicious beef you can eat. In India, where 80% of the population is Hindu, it is extremely difficult to buy high-quality beef, let alone find a restaurant where you can eat it casually. Depending on the region, there are many areas where you cannot eat beef at all. However, in the state of Karnataka, where Bengaluru is located, a brand of beef called "Bengaluru beef" is raised and even exported, showing the generosity of the people. The most popular restaurant in Bengaluru is "Portland Steakhouse & Cafe".

The beautiful interior and attentive staff make for a comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant's recommendation is the Chateaubriand steak, an extremely rare cut of beef fillet. The meat is so delicate that the knife goes through it easily, and when you put it in your mouth, the rich juices overflow, making everyone so impressed that they can't help but exclaim in surprise.

"I never thought I'd be able to eat such delicious beef in India!"
The owner proudly states, "All the meat we serve at our restaurant is from beef raised in Karnataka. We carefully select only the tastiest parts."
The menu has a wide range of beef dishes. You can choose from five levels of cooking, from rare to well done, and there are 10 types of sauce, including soy sauce and miso-based sauces developed to suit Japanese palates. You can enjoy the taste that suits you.
And the best part is the price. Chateaubriand is 720 rupees (about 1,100 yen) for 350g, and Tomahawk steak (800g) is 950 rupees (about 1,430 yen). Both prices are about one-fifth (!!) of the price in Japan. The store also sells beef, so it's no wonder that people from all over India come here to buy meat as well as to eat there.

"BRICK OVEN" - casual pizza from Bengaluru

Speaking of casual meals, pizza is also a staple. We recommend "BRICK OVEN," which is known for its chewy and chewy dough baked in a kiln. There are two stores in Bengaluru.

There are 18 types of Neapolitan-style pizzas in total. The most popular are the classic Margherita and "The White Funghi," which is white sauce topped with plenty of mushrooms. The hearty waffles are a great choice for dessert, so be sure to share them.
According to the restaurant's director, most of the ingredients used in the pizza are from Bengaluru. The flour is milled at a local flour mill, and the cheese is made in-house using milk procured from a farm on the outskirts of Bengaluru. This delicious pizza is topped with lots of love for Bengaluru, so be sure to give it a try.

Enjoy organic food at "Happy Healthy Me"

Over the past decade, health consciousness has increased in India, and organic foods and pesticide-free vegetables are popular. What is surprising is their deliciousness and reasonable price. Although vegetables and fruits sometimes look unattractive, their cost-effectiveness keeps them coming back for more.

Organic shops are opening all over Bengaluru, but one of the most popular, which also has a cafe attached to it, is "Happy Healthy Me", located in a corner of Indiranagar, the city's busiest street.
The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the store is the colorful array of vegetables and fruits, including carrots, tomatoes, onions, green beans, and watermelon. They may all be of different sizes, but they are all fresh and clean.

They also have a wide selection of original products, which you can purchase from their official website. They have superfoods like flour (MAIDA), sugar, chia seeds, nuts, peanut butter, sunflower oil, spices essential to Indian cooking, ghee, and more. Not only are the packages cute, but all of their products are certified organic in accordance with national (NPOP) and international (USDA) standards, so you can be sure of their safety and quality.

The adjoining cafe has a simple beige interior that is so cozy you'll forget about time. You can enjoy the original menu, which combines Western and Indian cuisine, at your leisure.
All of the menu items, including pancakes, hamburgers, and dosa (a South Indian dish made with whole wheat flour), are made with plenty of ingredients sourced at the restaurant, making this a must-visit place for anyone who is particular about organic food.

The staff's recommendation is the tofu biryani (available only on Sundays). The delightful combination of Indian spices and tofu, which is familiar to Japanese people, will refresh your mind and body.

If you want to enjoy Japanese cuisine, then 1Q1 is the place to go

When you're on a business trip or traveling, you may sometimes miss Japanese food. There are several restaurants in Bengaluru where you can eat delicious Japanese food, but the most talked about restaurant these days is "1Q1." With high ceilings and a spacious floor, it is open and has table seats, comfortable sofa seats, and a bar counter, so it can be used for a variety of occasions, from lunch between work, tea with friends, to dinner with a loved one.

The menu features a variety of Japanese staples, including rice bowls, sushi, miso soup, seared beef, yakisoba, and yakitori.

Anshel, the PR manager, said, "We listen carefully to our customers' requests and purchase ingredients accordingly." The menu items, which have been carefully designed to suit Japanese tastes, are a great way to relax during your stay in India. Please do visit.

The Chancery Hotel has a restaurant and a large public bath. A place of relaxation for Japanese people.

Another convenient Japanese restaurant is "Matsuri." If you're craving Japanese food, you can't miss this restaurant.

Located inside the Japanese hotel "The Chancery Hotel," it is popular because there are many staff members who can speak Japanese. The menu includes Japanese dishes such as natto, deep-fried tofu, and tempura.
The Chancery Hotel has a variety of meeting rooms of various sizes that can accommodate anything from a few people to 50 people, making it suitable for business purposes.

The lounge "Hibiki," which can be rented for private use, is stocked with Japanese books and manga, and is a place of relaxation for many Japanese people. The most welcome service at this hotel is that it is equipped with a large public bath. Relaxing in the bathtub will relieve your fatigue and give you a feeling of happiness that is irreplaceable.

Wine in India? A trip to a suburban winery, "Grover Zampa Vineyards"

We have introduced the rich food scene, but Bengaluru also has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages to enjoy with delicious meals. In India, some states prohibit the consumption or purchase of alcohol, so it is clear that Bengaluru is a free and tolerant city.
Beer connoisseurs will be delighted to find many restaurants in the city that serve craft beer, but the best option is wine.

At first, you might be puzzled as to "wine in India?" However, although it is at a low latitude, Bangalore is at a high altitude and produces delicious grapes, and its wines are highly regarded around the world.

It's about an hour's drive from Bengaluru city towards Kempegowda International Airport. The winery "Grover Zampa Vineyards" is located at the foot of Nandi Hill, 1,479 meters above sea level, which is known as a summer resort. The founder, who noticed the moderate rainfall and fertile soil rich in nutrients, began growing grapes in the 1980s. Now, vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. The area has expanded to about 200 hectares.

Manager Vipin says, "We grow a variety of grapes. We select grapes with the best balance of acidity and richness, and brew them." Many of their wines have won awards at international wine competitions, and there is a full lineup of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. They are available at almost all restaurants in Karnataka, so you can compare different wines depending on the dish and the occasion.
The winery offers tours every day. For 650 rupees (about 980 yen) on weekdays and 1,500 rupees (about 2,250 yen) on weekends, the tour includes a variety of attractions, including the experience of "grape stomping" in a large barrel, lunch, and a tasting of six types of wine.

The restaurant where you can enjoy lunch was recently renovated and reopened in May 2019. Spend a relaxing day enjoying Indian alcohol while gazing at the well-maintained lawn.

Traditional meals, beef and seafood. From Japanese food, which is essential for long-term stays, to alcohol. Bengaluru is a city of food that offers a wide range of options. It is a city of freedom and tolerance, even within India, that offers a wide range of food. Enjoy whatever you want to eat and drink during your business trip.

*1 rupee is approximately 1.5 yen

Interview cooperation: STORYTELLING LLP
Writer:Mariko