South Indian Wedding Menu
The complete South Indian wedding sadya menu list — idli, dosa, sambar, rasam, pongal and payasam — with per-guest quantity. Price this exact menu in our wedding food cost calculator.
Per-guest amounts are the South Indian catering benchmark. Scale to 100, 300 or 500 guests with a 10–15% buffer.
🥟 Starters
Idli, medu vada and dosa — steamed and fried to order at the live counter.
| Dish | Per guest | For 100 guests | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idli | 3 pcs | 300 pcs | ingredient-priced |
| Medu Vada | 2 pcs | 200 pcs | ingredient-priced |
| Dosa | 2 pcs | 200 pcs | ingredient-priced |
🍛 Main Course
Sambar and rasam with chana masala — the heart of the banana-leaf sadya.
| Dish | Per guest | For 100 guests | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chana Masala | 80 g | 8 kg | ingredient-priced |
| Sambar | 100 g | 10 kg | ingredient-priced |
| Rasam | 80 g | 8 kg | ingredient-priced |
🍚 Rice & Biryani
Ven pongal and curd rice are the South Indian rice courses, with a mild spice balance.
| Dish | Per guest | For 100 guests | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ven Pongal | 100 g | 10 kg | ingredient-priced |
| Curd Rice | 100 g | 10 kg | ingredient-priced |
🍮 Sweets
Payasam and gulab jamun — the traditional sweet finale of the sadya.
| Dish | Per guest | For 100 guests | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulab Jamun | 2 pcs | 200 pcs | ingredient-priced |
| Payasam | 60 g | 6 kg | ≈ ₹12/guest |
🥗 Complements
Coconut chutney, boondi raita and papad complete the leaf.
| Dish | Per guest | For 100 guests | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boondi Raita | 60 g | 6 kg | ingredient-priced |
| Papad | 1 pcs | 100 pcs | ≈ ₹1/guest |
Sample 300-Guest South Indian Wedding Menu
Live Counter
Idli • Medu vada • Dosa (made to order; one tawa per 100 guests)
Banana Leaf Main
Sambar • Rasam • Chana masala • Ven pongal • Curd rice • Papad
Sweets & Complements
Payasam • Gulab jamun • Coconut chutney • Boondi raita
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South Indian Wedding Menu — FAQ
What is a traditional South Indian wedding menu?
A South Indian wedding menu is a pure-veg plant-based feast served on a banana leaf: idli, medu vada and dosa to start, then sambar, rasam, pongal and curd rice, finished with payasam and gulab jamun.
Is a South Indian wedding menu always vegetarian?
Yes — South Indian wedding sadya is traditionally pure vegetarian. Dishes like sambar, rasam, pongal and curd rice are naturally vegan-friendly, which keeps per-plate costs lower than North Indian non-veg menus.
How much dosa for 200 guests?
Dosa at 2 pcs per guest means about 400 dosas for 200 guests. Dosa and idli are made-to-order at the live counter, so plan one tawa per 100 guests to keep service fast.
What is served on the banana leaf?
A classic sadya serves sambar, rasam, pongal, curd rice, payasam and coconut chutney with papad, all on a banana leaf — no cutlery needed. It is the most economical wedding menu at roughly ₹450–800 per plate.
How much does a South Indian wedding cost per plate?
A South Indian sadya prices ₹450–850 per plate at 2026 rates (Chennai ₹500–700, Bangalore ₹700–950). No non-veg and heavy use of rice and lentils keep plates below North Indian mixed menus.
Is payasam served at South Indian weddings?
Yes — payasam (sweet rice pudding) is a must on the wedding sadya, often served twice (a milk version and a jaggery version). It is the traditional finale alongside gulab jamun.