Cousins Sid Mewara and Shashank Jayakumar explored Bengaluru’s food scene last year for the third season of their culinary adventure series, The Big Forkers , on YouTube. The Big Forkers returned to the city earlier this month for a food walk in Kamanahalli to promote their upcoming season, which explores Delhi’s rich culinary culture. Before sharing their experiences in the National Capital, the duo speaks more about Bengaluru.
Coming from different perspectives – Sid, unfamiliar with the city, confesses, “I had this unfortunate stereotype. I thought it would all be dosa, sambar, idli, vada – the usual suspects,” while Shashank, a seasoned visitor returning after five years, notes, “One thing that’s been really cool to see in Bangalore is how it’s held onto these classic places, even with the constant transformation.” Both were surprised by what they found.
Sid’s initial stereotype of a strictly vegetarian city was shattered by the explosion of meat-centric dishes. “The diversity of the food scene and the amount of meat dishes were a total surprise,” he admits. Places like Ranganna Military Hotel and Nati Cafe serving Gowda cuisine “blew that stereotype wide open,” showcasing the city’s mix of communities and signature dishes.
On the other hand, Shashank was impressed by how the city retained its classic spots, like the military cafes, even amidst rapid modernisation. He observes, “These are great, affordable spots that feel like little time.