Chennai 2/17: Surviving on Boiled Duck Eggs for Breakfast at a Hotel in Chennai, India

Chennai 2/17: Surviving on Boiled Duck Eggs for a Simple Homemade Breakfast at a Hotel in Chennai, India

I, Mr.Hotsia, just got off the plane at Chennai Airport, the capital of Tamil Nadu state on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Early in the morning, the weather was not too hot yet, but the atmosphere around was full of lively, authentic Indian style. Here, I am not traveling luxuriously or focusing on tourist spots, but focusing on eating and living like a true local, especially breakfast at a small hotel where I am staying in the heart of Chennai.

Breakfast here is unlike in Thailand or what I've encountered in luxury hotels worldwide. Instead, it has a simple and raw charm that is surprisingly unique. At first, I thought I would find ordinary Indian food like fried eggs, bread, or tea. But what I found was a simple homemade boiled duck egg that still retained the rawness and distinct aroma of duck eggs clearly. It was not an ordinary boiled egg but had a soft texture and a richer flavor than any I have tried before.

The boiled duck eggs here are served with hot toasted bread and an Indian-style spicy sauce with just the right heat. Sipping hot tea brewed in authentic Indian style made me feel fully awake and ready to explore the city. I, Mr.Hotsia, asked the hotel staff if this kind of breakfast was normal. They said it is a menu that most people in the community really eat for fullness and ease of preparation in the morning.

Chennai is a large city with over 7.5 million people and is an important economic center of South India. Being a coastal city on the Bay of Bengal, the atmosphere and culture blend British colonial history and ancient Tamil culture, giving travel and food here a unique charm.

After breakfast, I, Mr.Hotsia, went out to explore around the hotel and found a morning market full of the sounds of buyers and sellers and the aroma of spices from fresh food stalls. This reminded me of my experience walking through markets in Bangalore, a technology city located on the cooler Deccan Plateau. But Chennai is clearly hotter and more humid. You can read about my story in Bangalore atBackpacking Bangalore (Bengaluru)

In this morning market, I saw vendors selling fresh duck eggs lined up, along with other local foods like Idli (steamed rice cakes) and Dosa (crispy rice crepes), which are popular Tamil Nadu breakfast dishes. But for me, the boiled duck eggs at the hotel had more charm than what you can find at regular restaurants.

While walking through the market, I, Mr.Hotsia, saw locals living simply but with enthusiasm and warmth. I saw children playing by the roadside and vendors calling customers in a friendly manner. This feeling reminded me of the atmosphere inNamchi Tripwhere I experienced peace and Buddhist culture in northern India. Though far apart, both places share a warm way of life.

After exploring the market, I returned to the hotel to pack and prepare for the next journey. Chennai has many highlights such as an important port and an international airport connecting travel nationwide and abroad. I also plan to travel to other places in India, but before that, I intend to keep the memory of this simple breakfast in my heart because it is the true life of locals that few talk about.

For travelers who want to experience real life in Chennai, I, Mr.Hotsia, recommend finding a small hotel that serves this kind of traditional breakfast. Try ordering boiled duck eggs once, and you will understand the simple deliciousness filled with stories and culture deeper than what you see in luxury restaurants.

If you are interested in my close-to-real-life travel and food stories in India, you can follow more stories atBackpacking Chennai, IndiaAnd don't forget to watch my video of eating boiled duck eggs in Chennai atChennai 2/17: Surviving on Boiled Duck Eggs for Breakfast at a Hotel in Chennai, IndiaThank you.