Bhojanam in Hyderabad: Plated in Telugu flavours

Bhojanam in Hyderabad: Plated in Telugu flavours

Inside Bhojanam at Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, diners can watch their thali being plated in a designated area. The neatly stacked, gleaming utensils would easily win the approval of those concerned about hygiene. This restaurant, barely a couple of months old, is a first-of-its-kind dining concept rooted in the culinary heritage of Telugu States. Founded by Pranavi and Teja Chekuri, the restaurant spreads across 8000 square feet. Bhojanam brings back the familiar warmth of the home kitchen with comfort dishes from Krishna, Godavari, Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.

Bhojanam does not want to be a generic south Indian thali place, and instead presents region-specific thali experiences. Before settling for a thali, I walked around the space. The restaurant has three sections to choose from. To the left is a section with an earthy decor where the walls are studded with Cheriyal masks interspersed with muggu designs. The walls look like they have been plastered with mud, similar to the aesthetic of thatched houses. This is where a chef prepares the kunda (pot) biryani.

A lot of thought has gone into adding quirky art to make the restaurant Instagram friendly. A case in point is a wall art with the words ‘Emi, Bhojanam Chedama (What say, shall we eat)?’

To the right of the entrance is a bright juice bar section where fresh nannari sherbet is being prepared alongside a machine extracting fresh sugarcane juice.

Pranavi Chekuri | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Pranavi Chekuri says, “Bhojanam is built on a personal mission to preserve, celebrate and mainstream the recipes that have lived on in our Telugu family kitchens over generations. This is not fusion or reinvention but culinary heritage showcasing some of the beloved comfort dishes from each region.”