By Jheelum Basu
December 6, 2025
Made with natural ingredients like cucumber, rice rava, coconut, and spices, Southekai Idli is a classic South Indian breakfast with its origin in coastal Karnataka. A refreshing taste paired with an aromatic flavour makes this idli recipe nutritious and special. Here’s the recipe to follow to try this at home.
– 1.5 cups of grated cucumber – 2 cups rice rava – 1/2 cup grated coconut – 2-3 tbsps curd – A handful of chopped coriander leaves – ½ tbsp salt – ½ tsp baking soda – 3-4 tbsp of any edible oil (to grease idli moulds) – 2-3 tsp coconut oil – 1 tsp mustard seeds – ½ tsp cumin seeds – 2-3 green chillies – ¼ cup chopped curry leaves
Start by washing and grating the cucumbers, followed by peeling the skin. In a mixing bowl, add grated cucumber, rice rava and salt and combine them well.
In a mixer grinder, add some grated coconut and the cucumber-rice rava mixture. Pulse them a few times, and blend to combine.
In a small pan, heat the coconut oil and add mustard seeds. Add cumin seeds, green chilli and curry leaves once the hot oil starts spluttering. Sauté for a few seconds.
Pour this spicy, hot oil into the cucumber, coconut, rice rava mix. Also, add coriander leaves. Let it rest for 30 minutes to ensure proper thickening before adding curd and baking soda.
Take a steamer and heat water in it. Make sure the idli moulds are greased well with oil to prevent sticking. Next, pour the prepared batter into the idli moulds and steam for 10-15 minutes.
To check the doneness, insert a toothpick into the idlis. If it comes clean, it means it's done. Allow them to cool a bit before removing from the moulds using a knife. Serve the idlis hot with either coconut chutney or coriander chutney.