Pig tales from Coorg: This new kiosk in Chennai is a pork lover's dream!

With pork taking centrestage on this menu, Oink, a brand new kiosk  in town has ribs, hot dogs and pandi curry on offer
Coorg Pork Curry
Coorg Pork Curry

What do peanut butter, pandi curry and yoga have in common? The answer is Shanthala T Medappa. Those who remember Old Mercara store don’t need an introduction to this 38-year-old yoga acharya who already has a following in the city for her homemade peanut butters and the on-order Coorgi style pandi curry, besides for her yoga getaways! Working out of her home kitchen, Shanthala has now partnered with long time friend Rohini Chandrakumar and upped the game with Oink, a new kiosk down Sterling Avenue that opened on August 6.

<em>Rohini Chandrakumar and Shanthala T Medappa</em>
Rohini Chandrakumar and Shanthala T Medappa


“This is my first business venture. I have always loved Shanthala’s pandi curry — and felt it was time for her to grow,” says 37-year-old Rohini, who has set up the cheerful little yellow kiosk and kitchen in the front yard of her own house. With ample place to park and grab a batch, we drop by the bustling counter last week to find that nearly all items are sold out!

Don’t ham it!
If you don’t want to “pig-out” then there are some items in the Oink menu that might work for you like Onion rings, Potato wedges, Chicken hot dog and Coorg filter coffee.

<em>Pork ribs</em>
Pork ribs



Shanthala does manage to get us some platefuls of the signatures. While we are familiar with the pandi curry, we find it now also stuffed between pav bread as the Pulled Pork on Pav — making for a quick and filling dish. “The Coorgi pandi curry is something that is dear to every Kodava, each and every household makes it in Coorg and their version of it may differ a little here and there. Every time I’ve made it at home, our guests from all over the world have relished it,” says Shanthala, even as we lick the gravy off our fingers. Meanwhile, she informs us that the meat is sourced from Bengaluru and Pune. 

Their sweet and spicy ribs are delicious with the delectable meat, falling off the bone. At Rs 650 for half portions, it promises to feed at least three, and Shanthala lets on that the recipe is a combination of her husband and her aunt’s version. The hot dogs are stuffed with crispy bacon, pork sausage, caramelised onions and squiggles of mustard and dressing. Pair that with their filter coffee and your working lunch is taken care of. This cuppa is worth a pit stop on this broad and busy road — making for an excellent on-the-go brew at `40. What’s more, it is sourced from Shanthala's hometown, Coorg.

Open from 12.30 pm to 9 pm For more details visit their Facebook page.

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