3 min read · Editorial guide · Reviewed 20 October 2026
Names open up the menu
A few Tamil words make it easier to navigate the snack directory. We show Tamil script alongside English names so that readers can connect labels with familiar words.
Follow the seasonings
Milagu · மிளகு means pepper. Poondu · பூண்டு means garlic. Omam · ஓமம் refers to ajwain. Each can appear in the name of a savoury.
Recognise the base
Arisi · அரிசி means rice. Ragi · ராகி is finger millet, and thinai · தினை is foxtail millet. A named flour does not establish that it is the only flour present.
Meet the mixture words
Aval · அவல் means flattened rice and munthiri · முந்திரி means cashew. Kadalai · கடலை needs context: ask whether the maker means gram or groundnut.
Continue with our English–Tamil glossary to explore the full reference list.