Medu Vada Sambhar the name itself invokes in my mind’s eye a beautiful doughnut-shaped fried lentil dunked in sambhar.
The crisp medu wada or vada absorbs the savoury tastes of the sambhar and you can scoop it into your waiting mouth.

Vada Sambhar
One of my friends has said that it is the Dunkin' Donuts of this world. Apt don’t you think?
The Pleasures of eating Medu Vada Sambar are to be enjoyed cannot be explained.
Vada also known as wada, vade, vadai, wadeh and bara embraces a vast variety of savoury fried snacks from dumplings, doughnuts, cutlets to fitters.
A wada can be made from moong dal, chana dal, urid dal or from vegetables like batata vada or sago like a sabudana vada. Vadas are eaten as a snack on Vadas else eat them for breakfast. But then a vada can be the building block of other think vada pav, dahi vada.
Sambhar is one of the popular dishes in South Indian cuisine. The other lentil-based soup is saar or rasam.
A lentil stew with spices and tamarind and vegetables is Sambhar or Sambar.
The basic difference between a sambhar and rasam or saaru is the spices and vegetables used in sambhar.
Sambhar typically includes onions, lady finger, drumstick, radish, pumpkin, potato, tomato, onions and brinjal in combinations or with one of the vegetables.
Versatile sambhar tastes good with vada, idli or rice.
Let us today pair them up as Medu Vada Sambhar.
For Sambhar, this is my standard I don't dare to make any variations to the basic recipe. The only thing I change is the vegetables as my girls love this version.
Urid dal or split black dal, toor dal or split pigeon pea and oil for deep frying are the main ingredients of Medu vada also called Urid dal vada.

Vada Sambar

Medu Vada & Sambhar
Ingredients
- 1 cup urad dal
- 1 tablespoon toor dal
- 4-5 Green chillies chopped
- 3-4 peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Ginger chopped,optional
- 2 tblsp coconut pieces made in thin pieces
- Salt to Taste
- Oil for deep-frying
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the urad dal and toor dal in enough water for minimum 2 hours.
- Drain transfer to the grinder/blender with the dry blade.
- Grind to a smooth paste. Use minimum water.
- Just before you remove the batter add salt and run the mixer yet again.
- Transfer it to a bowl add the green chillies, pepper, and ginger (if using).Mix well with a ladle.
- Keep the oil for frying to heat.
- In a bowl that you can easily dip your hand fill half with water.
- Wet your hand. Take a portion of the batter and make a hole in the centre with your thumb.
- Gently lower the wada in oil. Take care of your hand.
- Deep fry the wada till it is golden brown on one side.
- Flip and fry on the other side till golden brown.
- Drain and transfer to tissues.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve hot with sambhar.
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Gayathri Kumar says
This is such a classical dish. It has been a while since I ate this and you are tempting me too much with your plate. It looks super inviting..
Vaishali says
I like the way your vadas are nice and plump and sitting on top of each other ...in a nice bowl of sambar . The vadas look fluffy and nice crisp golden .
With me sambar recipe varies all the time , and I have never used cauliflower in sambar . Next time will try your recipe .
Sapana says
I can never get that perfect shape of vadas, mine are always weird shaped.Love the first pic. A classic protein packed dish.
ArchanaPotdar says
Sapna even I am surprised how beautifully I made them. Maybe it's a turning point for my vadas. This time I used very little water to grind.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
You are making me so hungry with these vadas. Perfect shape and with that sambar... yum
PJ says
Such beautiful vadas. Sambar vada is a classic and almost everyone loves it.Yours looks so inviting Archana.
Sowmya says
Those vadas are perfectly shaped and look so beautiful. Mine shape themselves the way they want. Super tempting dish!
Rajani says
I didn't read a single line of your intro! My mind stopped working the minute I SAW the vada, Wada, vadai, vade. Droooooling now!!
Anlet Prince - Annslittlecorner says
This is one of my favourite snack. I love to have it on a rainy evening with a cup of filter coffee.
Mayuri Patel says
I've just had my dinner and already feeling hungry looking at the awesome Vadas. My family's all time favorite.
Priya Suresh says
Omg, dont torture me like this, medu vada sambar am ready to die for a plate, too irresistible.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Always a winner among the snacks .. Just awesome!!
Srivalli says
So beautifully done Arch. We love this for our dinner and I have tried using toor dal. Next time going to add and check out ????
Kalyani says
Its 2:45 in the afternoon here, and I would LOVE to have that for the evening snack
Nalini says
This is one such classic combo and looks awesome.
Preeti says
Love your vada.. comeout so perfect and tasty.
ruchi indu says
Sambar vada is one of my all time favourites
I love to have this for breakfast. And yes dunkin donuts is an apt term for this.
Drashti Dholakia says
Sambar Vada is an all-time favourite..Vadas have come out perfect and crisp...
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Drashti.
Soma Mukherjee says
Loved the way the vadas are dunked in the sambhar, just drooling after dinner , this is what I am going to have tomorrow for breakfast for sure????????
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Geetanjali Tung says
Its drooling.. :)) An all time favourite of mine. So beautifully done...thanks for sharing!!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks and welcome.
Jyoti Babel says
You make it sound easy. But making medu wadas is an art. My medu wadas always come out shapeless.
But, they taste good none the less. so, I have stopped bothering about the shape. 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
That is the spirit, Jyoti! Then suddenly the batter will start behaving better knowing that you are the boss.
Soma Mukherjee says
The crispy crunchy vadas dunked in the sambhar looks so tempting ????????
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Soma.
Nandita Gupta says
I absolutely love vada and sambar. It's my favorite food to order when I am in a South Indian Restaurant. I didn't know it was so easy to make at home.
ArchanaPotdar says
It's simple enough and knowing you I am sure you will rock.
sujitha says
Medhu vada and Sambar are the more irresistible combination.. Your vada looks tempting..
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks
Pavani says
Indian style Dunkin donut that is for sure — my son calls it Indian donut, so I can make this Vada sambar for him and call it dunkin donut 🙂 It looks sooo yummy 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Uma Srinivas says
Loved your shape of the vada. My favorite and I can eat this whole day with sambar. So Yummy!
ArchanaPotdar says
LOL the one time I got the batter to behave.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says
Archana, this is so comforting. Love it
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Priya Satheesh says
Perfectly fried vadas.. This is really addictive and loved the way you have stacked and clicked... Absolutely tempting!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Priya.
Avin says
I love sambhar and vada. Awesome post and yum recipe ????
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Avin.
Sasmita says
Yummilicious!!! Just in love with these dunked vadas ????????
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Ruchi says
Vada looks so crisp and fluffy. Love it. Never tasted cauliflower in sambhar , will surely try.
ArchanaPotdar says
I want veggies in sambhar the girls will eat sambhar and do not mind veggies like cauliflower, pumpkin etc.
Jayashree says
Vadas are my favourite and you reminded me now! Yours looks delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
With so much variety we do forget, don't we?
Bhawana says
Yummmmmmy. We had been in bangalore for 7 years and since then medu vada dippedd in sambhar is our love. Even in pune we make sure that they are dipped like you showed. A healthy breakfast for any day.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Jagruti says
Medu vada and sambhar, like a KJ and SRK jodi 🙂 You must have it together. These delicious and tempting dish is my favourite!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 😀 I love this. Never thought of Medu vada and sambhar as KJ and SRK jodi. Jodi Amar rahe.
Vidya Narayan says
I dont know about others, but for south indians, this is certainly far more superior than Dunkin Donuts. hahah.. I cannot imagine anyone who doesnt like this delicious, hot and tangy combo. Though the deep frying is a concern, it is certainly okay to have it if its home made. A tummy filling snack, breakfast, this is the best ever!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Spoken like a true South Indian. Best breakfast ever.
Swati Saxena says
Indeed they are Dunkin Donuts of Our Indian World, infact better than those, healthier and delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thnaks
Shobha Keshwani says
I love vada sambar.. Looking at the pics I am craving for them now. I will have to make them soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Jayashree T.Rao says
I love vadas , all time favourite. Vada sambar is on the menu list in most South Indian hotels. Yummy !
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes, Jayashree but generally I don't like their sambhar especially in Goa.
Renu says
One of my favourites of all time but I limit myself due to obvious reasons. The vada looks super soft and yummy.
ArchanaPotdar says
Occasionally indulge,Renu.
Narmadha T says
So crispy and crunchy medu vada soaked in sambar is treat to taste buds. Looks absolutely scrumptious.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks, Narmadha.
Jolly says
OH. MY. GOD. I am dying to have a big platter of this deeelicious mendu vada. Super YUMM!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Jolly.
Chef Mireille says
These vada look so fluffy. Vada is one thing I have not made but I remember having them for breakfast when I was in India with sambar. I would love to try making them myself.
ArchanaPotdar says
Hey you will breeze it, Mir.
Preethicuisine says
I am a great fan of sambar Vada. These Vadas
Look so inviting. Perfect snack Archana .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Me too.