NYC’s South Indian Restaurant Earns A Michelin Star

Indian cuisine has been taking the world by storm, and the latest proof is a South Indian restaurant, called Semma, in New York City, which has just earned its first Michelin Star. Located in Greenwich Avenue, Semma has been serving heritage South Indian dishes since a year and is the only Indian restaurant in the US with a Michelin star in the year 2022. 

For the unversed, Michelin Stars are the highest honour when it comes to culinary recognition. These ‘stars for excellence’ are given yearly. The Guide gauges existing Michelin-starred restaurants, besides recognising the new ones. Given to restaurants that excel at cooking⁠, including sourcing quality ingredients, mastering techniques and consistency over time, a Michelin Star being awarded to establishments are a matter of great pride and a reason to celebrate. Michelin characterises one star as “high quality cooking, worth a stop!”. The 2022 Guide to NYC has 73 starred restaurants, while 17 others are awarded single stars for the first time. 

Semma, which tells the story of South India’s cuisine, is helmed by Chef Vijay Kumar, who earlier used to work with Rasa, a contemporary Indian restaurant in California with one Michelin Star. Chef Vijay has curated the menu which reflects his childhood memories of growing up in his hometown in Tamil Nadu. 

Image: Instagram: Chef Vijay Kumar/ Snails at Semma

In an interview with Hindustan Times, he says, “There is absolutely nothing tweaked! We just want to be who we are unapologetically.” Some of the most popular dishes on the menu are Gun Powder Dosa, Aattu Kari Sukka (lamb dish), and Nathai Pirattal (snails).  

According to the chef, they want to continue telling the story through their cooking, and hope to “bring the guests as close to our ancestral homes as possible and share a sacred moment together”.