Restaurant Review: Ulavacharu Hyderabad

The ambiance isn’t a grandeur but simple layout of chairs and tables, while their PDRs are converted into shacks that give you the typical village feel with its rustic décor. Once seated, as a custom the guest is offered their day special sweet (on the house), an apt gesture of the quote “Kuch Shubh Kaam Karne Se Pehle Kuch Meetha Hona Chahiye.” I had a badusha sweet, Semiya Payasam & madatha kaja on several occasion that I’ve dined here.

The menu is elaborate with a lot of emphasis towards different kinds of biryanis. When I say Biryani, it’s not just the Hyderabadi biryani but the different flavorful ones from the Andhra region and some which are their own innovation.

PS: Ever since its inception, I must’ve visited at ulavacharu almost a dozen times and this review is a cumulative summary of all my dozen experiences.

Veg Appetizers: With wide array of appetizers to choose from, the crunchy curd cutlet is easily my favorite among them all, nowhere I would’ve imagined curd to be battered and created as an awesome cutlet.

Idly vepudu is another favorite where the regular idli is stir fried in simple aromatic spices to make it a tasty appetizer to indulge just before the meal. Spicy corn fritters & Ulli (onion)rings are another decent appetizers on the menu which were good

Bangla Kodi is my favorite among them all. Simple Potato pockets of stuffed chicken which is deep fried and spiced up to give you the crunchy, crispy & spiced appetizer that would definitely appeal to everyone.

The royalla (Prawns) Vepudu & Chapala (Fish) Vepudu are good in their own league which would definitely appeal to a sea food lover. Konaseema Kodi (Chicken) vepudu is a decent pick with predominantly pepper flavors that hits you right on the epiglottis.

Mains: When you are here, avoid the regular rotis and curry concept of food and indulge in the different combinations which ullavacharu has to offer. My favorite combinations are as follows.

1) Ragi Sankati with Natu Kodi Pulusu: Raggi Muddha/Sankati goes aptly well with the Natu Kodi Pulusu (Country Chicken) which is a delicacy from rayalseema area. Though it’s spicy, it definitely leaves you wanting for more.

2) Nellore Chapala Pulusu + Steam rice: Nellore Chapala pulusu is cooked in tangy tamarind sauce with freshly grounded spices that goes amazingly well with steam rice. Not many are aware but the Chapala pulusu tastes even better the next day.

3) Ragi Sankati with Ulavacharu & cream/curd: This is another combo that I relish every time I visit this place.

4) Mango Dal+ Steamed Rice+ Gongura Chutney: The tangy flavors of Mango & Gongura (Sorrel leaves) tastes brilliant when had with Steamed rice and topped with oodles of ghee. Apart from the combos mentioned above, The following are the other things on the mains that I truly relish.

Raju Gari Kodi Pulav: By now Ulavacharu is synonymous for its famous raju gari kodi pulav and also its best seller.

Unlike other pulavs, this one is cooked on steam wherein the spices are properly balanced to give you the zing required. As per the owners (Vinay Reddy, Nagaraju Raviraju and Chef Yadgiri), this pulav has its own health benefits as well because of its steamed process of preparing it, unlike other biryanis this doesn’t bloat you up.

Avakai Biryani: Made with tangy flavors of raw mango pickle. This one is my second best among the pulavs. The simple yet tasty flavors are good enough to tantalize your taste buds to make you want more.

Papuucharu Annam: This one is a superior version to the humble sambar rice which when topped with ghee is truly outstanding.

Dessets: Though a limited menu for dessets, the junnu & kulfi that I have tried here couple of times have been good. Apart from the regular offerings, come afternoon and you will be treated to the wide range of thalis as well.

Ulavacharu Thali, Kuchipudi Thali, Semma Thali, Samudra Thali are the ones it has to offer. And of all, the Seema Thali is my favorite due to the fact that I get to have ragi sankati, 4 kinds of non-veg and the regular veg affair.

Finish of your meal with the zesty sweet pan (on the house) which bounds to relax your taste buds after such humongous meal. All in all, for anyone in visiting Hyderabad, ulavacharu should definitely be on the list of the must visit places for its culinary experience.