The Ramadan Walk: a festival food trail in Chennai

The month of Ramzan is a great time to explore Triplicane. One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Chennai, it bustles with activity from 5.30 pm onwards during the fasting period. Every lane in the locality has shops dishing out chicken samosas, mutton cutlets, chicken puffs, bajjis, vadas, sherbet and other snacks and desserts that are synonymous with this festival.

You can experience the delicious flavours with the third edition of The Ramadan Walk, organised by The Park. It will take participants on a Ramzan food trail led by Executive Chef Ashutosh Nerlekar. “This walk is culturally significant as we will take participants to a mosque to witness the breaking of the fast at 6 pm and join the prayer and participate in the community iftar meal where nombu kanji will be served. As part of the food trail, we plan to taste and sample a wide range of delicacies which are available only during this festival,” says Nerlekar.

The registered participants will assemble at The Park by 5 pm, and will be transported to the Big Mosque in Triplicane. “We will taste the special Andae ki meetha at the stall set up within the mosque premises. From there we head to Firdous restaurant to sample kebabs and shawarmas. Next we will stop for refreshing sherbet, and then go to Pista House to taste their haleem,” he says.

The highlight of the evening, according to the chef, is walking to Charminar Biryani, and experiencing first hand, the way steaming hot Chennai-style biriyani is served from a huge dabara. Tuck into the delicacy with your hands and don’t forget the raita and khatta baingan on the side. And there’s more —Dum Ka Rot halwa from Basha Halwa Wala, located at Fakir Sahib Street. “The walk will end with a visit to Zam Bazaar where we will serve badaam paal, a drink popularly had at night. We are trying to ensure the walk provides a 360 degree experience,”signs off Nerlekar.

(Participants should come dressed in clothes appropriate for the place of worship. The Ramadan Walk is on May 31, 5 pm to 8 pm. The fee is ₹799 per head. For details, call 9840485991)