South Indian pancakes explained
What is a dosa?
A dosa is a thin, crispy South Indian pancake made from rice and lentil batter that has been fermented overnight. It’s naturally vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan, and usually filled with spiced potato and served with chutney and sambar. You can try one at Dosa Chaska on Main Street, Cockermouth.
Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 to 16:00
- 5-star food hygiene rating
- Loved by locals in Cockermouth and Whitehaven
How it’s made
Soak, grind, ferment
We soak rice and urad lentils, grind them into a smooth batter and leave it to ferment overnight. Fermenting gives a dosa its light, slightly tangy taste. In the morning the batter is spread thin on a hot griddle and cooked until golden and crisp.
- Rice and lentils, water and salt
- Fermented overnight
- Cooked to order on a hot griddle
The family
Dosa, idli, uttapam and friends
The same batter makes several South Indian favourites: idli are soft steamed cakes, uttapam is a thick pancake with toppings, and a masala dosa is a crisp dosa rolled around spiced potato.
How to eat it
Tear, scoop and dip
Tear off a piece of pancake with your fingers, wrap it round the filling and dip it in chutney or sambar (a lentil and vegetable soup). A knife and fork is fine too.
Try one
Where to eat dosa in Cumbria
Our café at 46B Main Street, Cockermouth serves dosa all day, Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 to 16:00. Fillings range from the classic potato masala to beetroot hummus and green herbs, plus mini pancakes from £3.
Questions
Good to know
How do you pronounce dosa?
Doh-sa, with the stress on the first part.
Is dosa gluten-free?
A dosa made from rice and lentils, like ours, has no wheat in it. Our kitchen also handles gluten, so tell us if you have coeliac disease.
Is dosa vegan?
The batter is vegan: rice, lentils, water and salt. Fillings with cheese, paneer or egg aren’t, so ask for it vegan.
Is dosa healthy?
It’s a fermented rice and lentil pancake, cooked fresh with a little oil. Ours are made from scratch with no ultra-processed ingredients.
Does dosa have protein?
Yes, the lentils in the batter add protein. For more, try our protein pancakes: Vegan Lentil Sausage, Tandoori Paneer or Masala Omelette.
What’s the difference between dosa and a crêpe?
A crêpe uses wheat flour, eggs and milk. A dosa uses fermented rice and lentils, so it’s crisper and tangier, and vegan.
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