Like any destination in India or the rest of the world, food plays an important role for not just locals but also travellers and tourists. It is often said, breakfast is the important meal of the day and if you eat to your heart, the day is made.
Chow-Chow Bath is one of the most famous and delicious breakfasts in Karnataka. Although it is called Bath (rice) there is no rice in this dish. A combination of sweet and salty flavours, both made of semolina are served a combination. Two dishes named Khara Bath and Kesari Bath are served together to make it a Chow-Chow Bath. An irresistible combination is a go-to breakfast for many. Khara Bath is also known as Upma or Uppittu served with 1-2 types of chutney. Khara bath is made of semolina and is savoured with lots of vegetables.
The Kesari bath is a sweet version of the Khara bath. Made of semolina, Kesari bath is a sweet dish referred to as Kesari because of its saffron colour and flavours of the spice saffron. Kesari bath is the same as sheera or suji halwa in the rest of the country, prepared with semolina or suji as the main ingredient with sugar and a generous quantity of ghee. Kesari bath at times is also savoured with seasonal fruits like pineapple that enhance its flavours.
Both delicacies are sold or offered as individual dishes too but it’s the combination which is relished by most people. Most of the popular eateries and tiffin houses (breakfast or fast food places) offer Chow-Chow baths.
Traditionally, Chow-Chow bath was never cooked as a combination in households, but over the years after being served as a delicacy in restaurants, people have also started cooking at home too. Chow-Chow bath is quite a wholesome meal that is usually prepared not just for breakfast but also for brunch over the weekend. The serving presentation is so appealing that no one can refuse but accept and relish it.
There is no evidence or belief why it is called a Chow-Chow bath, however, a mixture of sweet and spicy savoury was called a chow-chow bath. Most of the popular darshini hotels or iconic restaurants like MTR, Brahmin’café, Kamat’s, and Vidhyarthi Bhavan serve Chow-Chow baths along with other savouries.On a typical gloomy Bengaluru day chow-chow bath can be relished with freshly brewed filter coffee to sparkle the day instantly.
Where do you get it?
Bangalore and some of the other parts of Karnataka’s Darshini-style restaurants have the Chow-Chow bath for breakfast and evening snacks. There are a couple of restaurants that are famous and can be visited.
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