One of the concerns that many Indian tourists have when they visit foreign countries is whether they’ll find Indian food to eat there. But while there are several Indian restaurants you’ll find abroad, the food might not be to your liking. However, a restaurant in Japan’s Kyoto named ‘Tadka’ is serving some of the finest idlis and dosas one can ever have.
‘Tadka’ is run completely by Japanese people who visit Chennai once every 6 months, learn new dishes, practice till they’ve perfected them and add them to their menu.
I visited this kick-ass south Indian restaurant called Tadka in Kyoto, Japan. Tadka is owned and run by Japanese people. They visit Chennai once every 6 months, learn new dishes, practice it to perfection and add it to their menu. pic.twitter.com/rDmBn4JbIC
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
Prasanna Karthik, an alumnus of Columbia University, claims that he’s had one of the best South Indian meals in ‘Tadka’.
In Tadka, I had one of the best south Indian meals I’ve ever had, even after judging by the standards of my Chennai upbringings. The dosa and idli were unbelievably authentic. pic.twitter.com/OUWDmPOaHQ
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
One would think that a South Indian restaurant will mostly have Indian customers. But that isn’t so. The restaurant is filled with Japanese customers who are in love with the food served there.
Apparently Tadka has very very few Indians eating there. Its customers are mostly Japanese customers who have fallen in love with the food there. what a way to contribute to India’s soft power!!! pic.twitter.com/3ETklgOwGj
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
What’s heartening to see is that ‘Tadka’ encourages eating food by hand, in true Indian style. The owners have truly embraced Indian culture.
In a country that uses chop-sticks to eat food, Tadka actively promotes eating by hand… in true south Indian style. pic.twitter.com/ZVWllo2lEk
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
In the process, the two have truly embraced Indian culture from the bottom of their heart. They developed a deeper understanding of Hinduism and fell in love with it. pic.twitter.com/Jbhpglskyo
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
The owners come to Chennai and spend their time meditating.
During all their visits to Chennai, they visit Tiruvanamalai (a temple town in Tamil Nadu) and spend time for meditation in the Ashram of Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi – a renowned Advaita Vedanta teacher and jivan mukta. Ramana’s picture can be seen in the background. pic.twitter.com/h5JhfaqC78
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
They even aced the iconic filter coffee!
I don’t have coffee or tea. But when I was leaving, they gave me a complimentary cup of south Indian filter coffee. Since I did not want to be rude, I accepted it. It turned out to be the best filter coffee I’ve ever had. These guys took Japanese precision to an all new level. pic.twitter.com/ZETj1lUN9T
— Prasanna Karthik (@prasannakarthik) October 29, 2023
Many people showered a lot of love on this restaurant and the Japanese people running it. Here’s how some of them reacted:
Very interesting thread. A few years back, a Japanese man spent half a year helping out at Pondy’s most popular kothu parota joint, to perfect the skill for a future business venture in Japan.
— Ajit Datta (@ajitdatta) October 29, 2023
The desire for perfecting one’s craft is truly lost in this age. Kudos to these guys for their unending quest for perfection.
— Satheesh Raj (@satheeshraj88) October 29, 2023
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m now on my way to Kyoto. Will get to this place for dinner tonight. 🙂
— Rohit (@TweetByRKV) October 29, 2023
We had visited this restaurant, Ajanta, again in Kyoto for some great Mughalai. Also, most of its customers were non-Indians pic.twitter.com/MIbayIpTSi
— Nishadh Amonkar (@_nishadh) October 29, 2023
Japanese people love Indian food! Tokyo has several Indian restaurants, interestingly all named after Indian cities like Mumbai, Gurgaon etc. 90% of people eating will be Japanese.
And food there is better then what you get in London / New York, although not as good as India
— Sharang (@SNJ_tweets) October 29, 2023
It’s wonderful to see people from foreign countries embrace our food and culture! 🙂