“Kerala is one of the most exciting culinary destinations” – This stamp of approval is from none other than the world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay and sums up the food culture of the state. Today we’re sharing some of the best foods you should have when you visit Kochi for the WordCamp Kerala. 

Kerala Cuisine

As the spice capital of the world, Kerala cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of fresh ingredients. Diverse and flavorful vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are a treat to every foodie that visits this place. The food is predominantly spicy and also reflects the influence of Ayurveda as most food pairs come in perfect combinations of carbohydrates and proteins. Kerala cuisine is characterized by the use of a wide variety of spices, coconut, coconut oil, seafood, and vegetables.

Here are some of the best options to tickle your taste buds.

1. Parotta and beef

Parotta and beef is a popular combination in Kerala cuisine and can be considered as food that unites the people here. The flaky, layered flatbread is typically served together, with spicy beef curry or fry. This combination is not just something to satiate your hunger but an emotion you should experience. Porotta was the most ordered food item in Kerala through Swiggy in 2022. 

2. Biriyani

It is a one-pot mouth-watering dish that consists of long-grain basmati rice cooked with meat (chicken, mutton, or beef), vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices. The variations available today include fish, tapioca, vegetable, egg, prawn, paneer and mushroom biriyanis. 

3. Meen curry (Kerala fish curry)

Kerala sits on the southern coast of India and has a yummy seafood-rich cuisine. The fish curry is a good combination that goes perfectly with rice or chapati or parotta. Fish pieces cooked golden brown in earthen pot or manchatti with kudampuli (Malabar Tamarind) as special ingredient, it  is sure to make your mouth water. 

4. Sadya

This is a traditional Kerala feast served on a banana leaf including dishes like rice, sambar, avial, and pachadi, served with pickles, papadums, and payasam. Each taste is balanced following the principles of Ayurveda, promoting equilibrium and a sense of well-being in mind and body. It is a royal lunch fit for a king and is usually served on occasions like festivals and weddings but some hotels do serve it regularly at lunch. 

5. Kallu (Toddy)

Toddy or kallu is Kerala’s iconic non-alcoholic beverage. The milky white, fizzy coconut wine is made by incising clusters of coconut flower stalks. Nothing gives you a better authentic flavour of Kerala than having toddy from toddy shops or shaaps as they are called. These shaaps also serve some of the best food in Kerala. 

6. Appam and stew 

This is a classic Kerala breakfast dish made of fermented rice batter and coconut milk pancake (Appam) and stew with vegetables, spices and/or meat cooked in coconut milk. The aroma of spices with the sweet fragrance of coconut milk is delicious in taste and nutritious too. 

7. Karimeen Pollichathu (Steamed Pearlspot)

This delicious delicacy of peal spot fish wrapped in banana leaf and grilled with spicy masala sauce. The heavenly smell of unwrapping the banana leaf is enough to take any foodie to heaven. This dish can be served with rice or as a starter and is the main star of houseboat menu. 

8. Ethakka Appam (Banana Fritters)

This popular tea-time snack is made by dipping slices of ripe plantain (banana) in a batter and then deep-frying them in oil until they are crispy and golden brown. The sweetness of ripe plantains and the crispy texture of the batter make it a delight. If you leave Kerala without having any with your evening tea, the loss is yours. 

This is just a tip of the gastronomy tour of the state. Be it fish, mutton or local vegetables, there’s plenty of Kerala dishes available to keep you wanting for more! After all, National Geographic Traveller has praised that “the spicy food may be the best vegetarian cuisine on the planet!