Idlis are eaten across the country with various accompaniments like sambhar, chutneys, gunpowder, and meat gravies. It is a dish that is devoured for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even as a delicious snack.
Recently, UK-based Edward Anderson said that idlis are the most boring dish in the world. He added that he enjoys dosas and appams though.
Idli are the most boring things in the world. https://t.co/2RgHm6zpm4
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
p.s. Before the whole of south India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all south Indian food. But idli (and puttu for that matter) are insufferable.
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
Needless to say, desi Twitter was up in arms over the insult. Some pointed out that idli in itself isn’t a complete dish just like rice and bread.
Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what Life can be. https://t.co/M0rEfAU3V3
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 7, 2020
Do not invoke the wrath of South India (and the greater South Indian diaspora). https://t.co/PhSMCw7Wzf pic.twitter.com/LbBv2aRKdP
— Sri Baqri (Narasimhan) (@Sri_Baqri) October 7, 2020
hahahhaha
You must dunk it in chutney, or gun powder with ghee. Or let them swim for a bit in sambar/rasam.
If you don’t, them it’s like eating pasta without any sauce, toppings and saying pasta is shit.— Suparna Sharma (@SuparnaSharma) October 6, 2020
I have the same feeling about plain idlis! until my wife started making #Masala Idlis and special #Andhra style #chutneys that go well with #Idli Please don’t take my word seriously as I am a #NorthIndian and very few times ate Idli in South India and that too only in Bengaluru
— Rohit Prabhakar #MarTech #MarTechConf (@rohitprabhakar) October 7, 2020
YOU ARE BORING. how dare you https://t.co/K4NTH3JUK5
— dr nabila 🌹 (@nmunawar) October 7, 2020
When you eat Idli the wrong way https://t.co/QH6F7jtpmK
— Alan Aby (@alan_aby) October 7, 2020
I can have Idlis 24*7*365 days. And I am not even joking 🙄 https://t.co/osgJ52Qrvt
— Venkat Kodde (@VenkatKodde) October 7, 2020
I am not South Indian; but, I feel offended over this. 😐 https://t.co/YvyzvWpYXo
— Sandesh Samant | संदेश सामंत (@sandesh_samant) October 7, 2020
Others responded by naming bland dishes eaten regularly abroad – mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pancakes, and congee.
May I present Congee, grits, oatmeal? Minus the add ons to make these monstrosities edible they're quite blah AND unimaginative https://t.co/ztccKlFG60
— Kanya of East (@That_Desi_Girl) October 8, 2020
Pancakes are the most boring things in the world. https://t.co/7MkjmBc5ti
— Mr Mulliner (@crickass07) October 7, 2020
You probably think mashed potatoes is a delicacy https://t.co/dXkZTN4r0O
— regression merchant (@BackFootPxnch) October 7, 2020
After the debate went viral, Edward ate idlis for lunch and unapologetically revealed that his opinion that they are boring has not changed.
Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I'm very sorry to report that my unpopular – or "blasphemous", as some have said – opinion remains unchanged. #sorrynotsorry https://t.co/qx2VRJw6EO pic.twitter.com/TmIvxNWaYx
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
For the record, the sambar and chutney were good. And I still adore almost all of the wonderful cuisine of south India. Thanks to Newcastle’s Malayali restaurant, Ury, for the idlis. I may not have finished them, but the delicious fish curry, dosa and payasam were devoured.
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
Do you think idlis are boring? Tell us!