Beef Kothu Paratha

Description

Beef Kothu Paratha is a popular street food from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamil communities, known for its bold flavors, rhythmic preparation style, and hearty texture. The name “kothu” means “chopped,” referring to the process of mincing flaky parathas on a hot iron griddle along with beef curry, eggs, onions, chilies, and spices.

This dish begins with layered parathas, torn into pieces and tossed on a tawa with spicy shredded beef, scrambled egg, curry leaves, and a masala base of fennel, black pepper, ginger, and tomato. The mixture is chopped and stir-fried continuously using heavy metal spatulas, creating a distinctive rhythm and blending the ingredients into a cohesive, flavorful medley.

Beef Kothu Paratha is a nighttime favorite in Tamil Nadu cities like Madurai and Tirunelveli and has become a beloved comfort food among Tamil diaspora in urban centers such as Mississauga, Scarborough, and Vancouver.