By Dakshin CuisineUpdated
A dosa is a thin, crisp crêpe made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, cooked until golden on a hot griddle and served with sambar and chutneys. It's one of the best-loved dishes in South India, and it's the heart of our kitchen at Dakshin. If you've never had one, here's everything you need to know before your first bite.
At a glance
- What it is: a thin, crisp crêpe of fermented rice and lentil batter
- Served with: sambar and fresh chutneys for dipping
- How to eat it: tear, fold around the filling, and dip; a fork works too
- Dietary: every dosa on our menu is gluten-free, and three are vegan
How is a dosa made?
Dosa batter starts with rice and urad dal, a small white lentil. Traditionally, both are soaked, ground into a smooth batter, and left to ferment, which gives a dosa its gentle tang and helps it crisp. We ferment our batter the traditional way, then spread it thin across a hot griddle and cook it until the underside turns crisp and golden.
Because the batter is made from rice and lentils, with no wheat, every dosa on our menu is gluten-free.
What comes with a dosa?
Dosas are traditionally served with sambar and chutneys, and our Masala Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, and Ghee Roast all come with both. Sambar is South India's favorite lentil and vegetable stew, tangy with tamarind and made for dipping. Coconut chutney is cool and fresh, and tomato chutney adds a bright, tangy note.
How do you eat a dosa?
The traditional way is by hand. Tear off a piece of the crêpe, fold it around a little of the filling, and dip it into sambar or chutney. A fork and knife work perfectly well, too, so eat it however you're comfortable.
One tip: dosas are at their crispiest the moment they leave the griddle, so enjoy yours while it's hot.
Which dosa should I order?
- Masala Dosa: The classic, filled with spiced potatoes. Vegan and gluten-free.
- Mysore Masala Dosa: The classic with an extra layer of spice from Mysore masala, named for the city of Mysore in Karnataka. Vegan and gluten-free.
- Ghee Roast: Cooked with desi ghee, India's clarified butter, for a rich, golden crunch. Gluten-free.
- Cheese Dosa: Filled with melted mozzarella, a gentle choice for first-timers. Gluten-free.
- Paneer Dosa: Our homemade paneer cheese with onion and peppers. Gluten-free.
- Chili Chicken Dosa: Boneless chicken in chili sauce with onion and peppers. Gluten-free.
- Chicken Chettinad Dosa: Chicken with roasted coconut, spices, and black pepper. Gluten-free.
- Mini Masala Dosa and Chicken Mini Dosa: Smaller dosas from our street snacks, just right for sharing or a lighter meal. The Mini Masala Dosa is vegan and gluten-free, and the Chicken Mini Dosa is gluten-free.
Meet idli and medu vada
Two more South Indian classics share the dosa's rice and lentil roots. Idli are soft, steamed cakes, and our Idli Sambar is vegan and gluten-free. Medu vada are savory lentil fritters shaped like doughnuts, crisp outside and fluffy inside, and our Medu Vada Sambar comes with sambar and coconut and tomato chutneys.
In South India, idli, vada, and dosa are breakfast favorites. Here they make a wonderful lunch, and on Saturdays and Sundays we open at 11:00 AM.
What to drink with a dosa
Our favorite pairing is a cup of Madras Coffee, our traditional South Indian filter coffee. If you'd like something cool, a creamy Mango Lassi is lovely with a spicy Mysore Masala Dosa.
Try your first dosa in Cleveland Park
We're at 3512 Connecticut Ave NW, steps from the Cleveland Park station on Metro's Red Line, and we're open from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends. Reserve a table or simply walk in; dosas are at their best in our dining room. Curious about the rest of the menu? Our guide to the menu walks through it all.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dosa gluten-free?
Traditional dosa batter is made from rice and lentils with no wheat, and every dosa on our menu is gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or a serious allergy, please tell your server when you order.
Is a dosa vegan?
Our Masala Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, and Mini Masala Dosa are vegan. The Ghee Roast, Cheese Dosa, and Paneer Dosa are made with dairy, and our chicken dosas aren't vegan.
What's the difference between a Masala Dosa and a Mysore Masala Dosa?
Both are filled with spiced potatoes and served with sambar and chutneys. The Mysore Masala Dosa adds Mysore masala for an extra layer of spice, so choose it if you enjoy a little more heat.
Is a dosa the same as a crêpe?
A dosa looks like a crêpe, but it's made from a fermented rice and lentil batter rather than wheat flour, eggs, and milk. That gives it a crisper texture and a gentle tang.
What is sambar?
Sambar is a South Indian stew of lentils and vegetables, tangy with tamarind and warm with spices. We serve it with our Masala Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, Ghee Roast, Idli Sambar, and Medu Vada Sambar.