How an Indian Master Chef Makes Dosas, Idli & More | Handcrafted | Bon Appétit

Vijay Kumar, executive chef and partner at Semma in New York City, demonstrates the equipment, ingredients, and artistry essential to making some of the most popular dishes at his celebrated South Indian restaurant. Take an up-close look at the step-by-step creation of 5 rice and lentil based South Indian staples: Gunpowder Dosa, Uttappam, Idli, Paniyaram, and Idiyappam.

Director: Cole Evelev
Director of Photography: Brandon Yoon
Editors: Micah Phillips
Talent: Vijay Kumar

Sr. Culinary Director: Kelly Janke
Producer: Jonathan Bang
Culinary Producer: Tina Martinez
Culinary Associate Producer: Hip Torres
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Associate Producer: Alicia Aswat
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes

Camera Operator: Daniel Nevanpera, Kirsten Potts
Audio: Kurt Pierce
Production Assistant: Nikki Ligos

Post Production Supervisor: Stephanie Cardone
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: JC Scruggs
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Graphics, Animation, VFX: Léa Kichler

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0:00 Introduction
0:20 Gunpowder Dosa
3:18 Uttappam
5:14 Idli
8:48 Paniyaram
10:44 Idiyappam
12:59 Conclusion




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[heatguy]

FINALLY. South Indian representation 🙌🙌 Indian food isn’t just chicken tikka masala and curry. Almost shed a tear when he said that. Thank you chef!!

[mightyavi]

I'm an North Indian, I was lucky enough to spend a portion of my life in South India and nothing can beat warm and soft idlis with spicy yet creamy coconut chutney and filter kapi . Absolute heaven !!

[yashvardhanraju]

I hold the firm belief that south india has the best breakfast cuisine in the world. the absolute massive range of dishes and sides, the taste and nutrition of all of them, its just so good. its the yummiest food. sambhar and rasam are so heavenly i swear. i love love love the south indian representation on a channel as big as BA. hope to see more of this content!

[Melissa]

As an American who doesn't know much about Indian food, this video is so helpful because I just got a huge Indian supermarket near me and I love going there, but I never know what to buy. I always wonder what I'm missing out on because I don't know any better. They especially have so many different types of flour that I was wondering what they use them for. I love the deserts too. I'd love to see this guy do another video about Indian deserts and sweets.

[benkirkland]

Can’t believe the video ended so quickly. I was so engrossed in this, I could watch all evening. More please

[asdfasdf]

This guy does Tamilians in South India really proud! Love it!

[lg]

As a South Indian born and raised in America, this makes me so happy to see the food I grew up with being shared with a global audience outside the South Indian community. Thank you BA!

[AdlBnymn]

Nothing can beat Dosa, Sambar and Chutney combo with vada on top for breakfast.

[TheOriginalArchie]

I'm 47 and my family grew up with an Indian friend that has owned a restaurant for over 30 years, I've been eating there (and many other places) since I was a teenager. I always get excited to turn people on to the cuisine, and until a few years ago I thought my knowledge was up to date because I know many of the dishes (pallak aloo/paneer, kormas, aloo ghobi, vindaloo etc...), however in the last couple of years I've realized that I still have a limited knowledge of their dishes (and that we all call it Indian, although there are Pakistani variants). It's nice to watch these videos that show other variants and I hope they catch on. Dosa, for example, was not really known until the last decade or so. Even biryani was not easily found just a few years ago.

[rajeshr]

Reading through the comments made me feel good about the cuisine that has been my staple diet all my life. Missed Appam in the list though, another rice based dish, easy on the stomach and goes well with any kind of gravy or stew. Hopefully BA will devote a full video for Appam soon!

[senojnomis]

Masala dosa is my favourite breakfast/brunch food of all time, hell I’ll eat it any time of day. I’m white English but dated a South Indian gal for a while and she got me delved into that cuisine, which is truly some of the best in the world and highly underrated and under appreciated. Honestly, we’re so obsessed with avo toast in the West, when I reckon dosas should be just as prevalent!

[mattm]

As a Chinese who grew up with Dim Sums, I appreciate the complexity of both Cantonese dishes and South Indian dishes. Cantonese dishes are complex in shape/forms manipulation and south Indian dishes are complex in their spices & seasoning palettes. Very admirable traditional culinary roots.

[MohammedKhaled-jugy]

Anyone who hasn’t had that dosa with potato fillings and coconut/ mint gravy have not experienced life yet

[immediaterespond]

Delicious.... I am Pakistani but was brought up by eating Idli, masala dosa and utappaam and I can eat this daily because these food are easily available in U.A.E where I was born and raised.

[jack]

This is the quality Bon Appetit programming that we expect.

[aparna]

YES FINALLY, DOSAS. Don't get me wrong, I love me some chicken tikka masala and naan, but Indian food is so much more than that, and dosas are so versatile and delicious! And the fact that this place is called Semma (means "very good" or "fantastic" in Tamil) is so fitting!

[jasmines]

I’m so glad to see some South Indian representation! More content like this please!!!

[blindwoozie]

Halfway through and loving this already, love Vijay's demeanor. Wish ingredients were more common in my small town because Indian food is quite possibly my favourite

[Fazil]

He looks so happy making these dishes. That's how I know this food is bringing back fond childhood memories for him and also me.

[AugustAdvice]

Indian and Korean food are the two most intimidating cuisines in my opinion. There's so much knowledge about spices and preparation and unique ways of doing things.