Which Indian state is famous for its Chettinad cuisine?

Tamil Nadu is the Indian state famous for its Chettinad cuisine.

Chettinad cuisine comes from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu in southern India, particularly areas around Sivaganga district and the city of Karaikudi. It is associated with the Nattukottai Chettiar, or Nagarathar, community, whose trading networks connected South India with places across Southeast Asia.

The cuisine is known for freshly ground masalas, bold spices, chilies, black pepper, fennel, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and kalpasi, an aromatic lichen used in some dishes. Popular preparations include Chicken Chettinad, vegetable curries, seafood dishes, paniyaram, idiyappam, and other rice-based foods.

Chettinad cooking is often described as spicy, but its character comes from layered aromatics rather than heat alone. Maritime trade also influenced the cuisine, bringing contact with Burmese, Sri Lankan, Malay, and other food traditions. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala each have distinctive regional cuisines, but the Chettinad label specifically points to Tamil Nadu and its historic Chettinad communities.