A Bitter Onam Sadya Experience at Yumm Keralam, Bangalore

Onam is not just another festival – it is the heartbeat of Malayali culture. At its core lies the Onam Sadya, the grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, with over 20 traditional dishes that follow a specific sequence. More than just food, Sadya is a celebration of abundance, tradition, and togetherness.

Like many Malayalis in Bangalore, I was excited to celebrate Onam this year by enjoying the Sadya at Yumm Keralam. I went with my family and even invited others, believing it would be a special occasion. Sadly, what should have been a day of joy turned into one of the most disappointing Onam dining experiences of my life.

Endless Waiting, Followed by Mismanagement

We waited for hours to get a table. The expectation was high – after all, Onam comes only once a year. But once seated, it quickly became clear that the restaurant had no system in place.

The serving was completely mismanaged. Instead of Malayali servers who understood the dishes, their sequence, and cultural significance, Yumm Keralam had Kannadiga and Hindi-speaking staff who neither knew the food nor cared to explain what they were serving. The flow of the Sadya – which is so essential to its experience – was completely lost.

An Onam Sadya in Bangalore should be treated with authenticity and respect. Instead, we were left confused and frustrated.

The Shocking Truth – Food Was Over

What made things worse was the shocking fact that basic items were unavailable. There was no rice, no sambar, no parippu (dal), no banana, no boiled vegetable, and not even payasam – the sweet dessert that completes a Sadya.

Imagine sitting down for Onam Sadya and being told that food was over. On a festival that symbolizes abundance, we were left staring at empty banana leaves. It was heartbreaking.

Rudeness and Arrogance

To top it off, the behavior of the serving staff was rude and dismissive. Hospitality was missing. Instead of being apologetic, they were arrogant.

At one point, when I got upset and questioned why so many essentials were missing, one of the servers bluntly told me:

“Eat what is available and empty the place.”

This was not just unprofessional – it was insulting. Later, I learned that this person was not just a staff member, but someone who had a financial stake in the restaurant. His arrogance made sense then, but it does not excuse such behavior. A person representing the management showing such disrespect towards customers on a cultural festival day is unacceptable.

A Personal Regret

What hurts me the most is that I had taken my family and even invited others to join. Instead of giving them a happy memory of Onam in Bangalore, I gave them a bitter disappointment.

I regret putting them through such an unpleasant experience. A festival that should have been filled with joy and laughter ended in frustration and embarrassment.

A Message to Yumm Keralam Management

If a restaurant cannot deliver an authentic, well-organized Onam Sadya in Bangalore, it should not attempt it at all. This is not a casual buffet – it is a cultural celebration that demands preparation, respect, and authenticity.

What Yumm Keralam failed at:

• Food planning – staples like rice, sambar, parippu, and payasam should never run out.
• Trained servers – Onam Sadya must be served by people who understand the dishes and their sequence.
• Hospitality – rude, arrogant behavior is unacceptable, especially from someone linked to the management.
• Respect for culture – Onam is deeply emotional for Malayalis. Mishandling it shows disregard for an entire community.

If you cannot do justice to Onam Sadya, it is better not to host it. Attempting it and failing this badly only ruins people’s most cherished festival.

Why This Matters Beyond Food

For someone unfamiliar with Onam, this might sound like “just a bad restaurant experience.” But for Malayalis, Onam Sadya is sacred. It represents childhood memories, family traditions, and cultural pride.

When a restaurant markets itself as a place for authentic Onam Sadya and delivers this level of chaos, shortage, and arrogance, it doesn’t just fail at customer service – it disrespects our tradition.

Final Thoughts

My experience at Yumm Keralam, Bangalore this Onam was nothing short of an utter disaster. Hours of waiting, no rice, no sambar, no parippu, no banana, no payasam, rude servers, and arrogant responses – it was a complete letdown.

I walked away disappointed, not just for myself but for my family and friends whom I had brought along. A day meant to celebrate abundance turned into one filled with regret.

Yumm Keralam management needs to understand this clearly: Onam Sadya is not just a meal – it is an emotion. If you cannot uphold its dignity, please don’t attempt it. Customers deserve better. Malayalis deserve better. Onam deserves better.