Kerala, known as “God’s Own Country,” is a land of lush greenery, pristine beaches, and a vibrant culture. And at the heart of this enchanting South Indian state lies a cuisine equally diverse and delicious. Let’s embark on a culinary adventure and explore the essential dishes that define the traditional flavors of Kerala.
1. Sadya (Traditional Kerala Feast)
Description:
Sadya is a grand celebration on a banana leaf. A feast fit for royalty, it symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and marks important festivals like Onam and Vishu. Sadya comprises a wide range of vegetarian delights – curries, stir-fries, pickles, and so much more. It’s a symphony of textures, flavors – sweet, sour, spicy, and everything in between!
Key Ingredients:
Parboiled rice, seasonal vegetables, lentil-based curries, yogurt, ghee, spices, banana, jaggery, coconut.
Recipe:
https://www.sharmispassions.com/onam-sadya-lunch-menu-kerala-sadya-lunch/
Popular Restaurant:
Thali Restaurant (Thiruvananthapuram) – High Google reviews
2. Appam with Stew
Description:
A match made in culinary heaven! Appams are soft, fluffy fermented rice pancakes with a crispy lacy edge and a spongy center. Stew is a creamy, mildly spiced medley of vegetables (or meat), simmered in coconut milk. The combination is pure comfort food!
Key Ingredients:
- Appam: Raw rice, coconut, yeast, sugar.
- Stew: Vegetables (potatoes, carrot, beans), chicken/ meat (optional), coconut milk, onions, green chilies, and spices.
Recipe:
https://www.pepperdelight.com/chicken-stew/
Popular Restaurant:
Mullapanthal Toddy Shop (Alappuzha) – High Google reviews
3. Puttu with Kadala Curry
Description:
Puttu is a steamed cylindrical breakfast dish made with coarse rice flour layered with grated coconut. It pairs beautifully with Kadala curry, a rich and flavorful black chickpea-based curry. This combo is a classic Keralan breakfast, offering a delightful mix of textures and a good dose of healthy protein.
Key Ingredients:
- Puttu: Rice flour, grated coconut, salt.
- Kadala Curry: Black chickpeas (kala chana), onions, tomatoes, coconut, spices.
Recipe:
https://www.sailusfood.com/kadala-curry/
Popular Restaurant:
Mothers Veg Plaza (Kochi) – High Google reviews.
4. Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot Fish)
Description:
Karimeen (pearl spot fish) is the state fish of Kerala, and this dish showcases it to perfection. The fish is marinated in a fiery mix of spices, wrapped in plantain (banana) leaves, and grilled or roasted. The result? Tender, flaky fish infused with an incredible depth of flavor with a hint of smokiness from the leaves.
Key Ingredients:
Karimeen (pearl spot fish), red chili powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, shallots, curry leaves, coconut oil, plantain leaves.
Recipe:
https://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/meen-pollichathu-karimeen-pollichathu/
Popular Restaurant:
Paragon (Kozhikode) – High Google reviews
5. Meen Curry (Fish Curry)
Description:
A staple of Kerala cuisine, Meen Curry is a symphony of flavors and a testament to Kerala’s love for fresh seafood. The fish is cooked in a tangy, spice-infused gravy with a defining sourness from kudampuli (dried Garcinia cambogia) or raw mango. Coconut milk adds richness and complexity to this iconic dish.
Key Ingredients:
Fish (Kingfish, Seer Fish, Pomfret – any firm fleshed fish works well), onions, green chilies, kudampuli/ raw mango, coconut oil, coconut milk, spices.
Recipe:
https://www.kannammacooks.com/kerala-fish-curry-recipe/
Popular Restaurant:
Kumarakom Lake Resort (Kottayam) – High Google reviews
6. Malabar Biryani
Description:
Distinct from its counterparts in other parts of India, Malabar Biryani hails from the northern Malabar region of Kerala. This fragrant rice dish uses short-grain kaima rice, a generous amount of ghee (clarified butter), and a unique blend of spices. The meat (chicken, mutton, or fish) is cooked separately and then layered with the rice, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.
Key Ingredients:
Kaima rice, chicken/mutton/fish, ghee, onions, ginger, garlic, spices, cashew nuts, raisins, fried onions.
Recipe:
https://hebbarskitchen.com/malabar-biriyani-recipe-dum-biriyani/#google_vignette
Popular Restaurant:
Paragon (Calicut) – High Google reviews
7. Avial
Description:
Avial is a medley of vegetables cooked with coconut, yogurt (or raw mango), and tempered with aromatic curry leaves and coconut oil. Its subtle flavors and creamy texture make it an integral part of the traditional Sadya feast. Avial is a fantastic way to include a variety of vegetables in your meal.
Key Ingredients:
Mixed vegetables (ash gourd, drumsticks, yam, carrots, beans, etc.), grated coconut, yogurt (or raw mango), green chilies, curry leaves, coconut oil.
Recipe:
https://hebbarskitchen.com/avial-recipe-aviyal-udupi-style-aviyal/
Popular Restaurant:
Sree Thamburan Restaurant (Thrissur) – High Google reviews
8. Kerala Style Prawn Curry
Description:
This prawn curry is where Kerala’s spice prowess meets its fresh seafood bounty. Plump prawns are simmered in a rich coconut milk-based gravy with a perfect balance of tanginess and spice. Often flavored with the unique ingredient kudampuli, this curry is a real treat for seafood lovers.
Key Ingredients:
Prawns, coconut milk, shallots, green chilies, kudampuli (or tamarind), spices, curry leaves, coconut oil.
Recipe:
https://www.happyandharried.com/2016/10/15/shrimp-coconut-curry-kerala-style-chemmeen-curry/
Popular Restaurant:
Hotel Kayees (Mattancherry, Kochi) – High Google reviews
9. Thalassery Chicken Biriyani
Description:
Hailing from the coastal town of Thalassery, this biryani is a celebration of flavors and a departure from the usual biryani suspects. Thalassery biryani uses Khaima/Jeerakasala rice, a short-grain aromatic rice, and incorporates a unique spice blend that sets it apart. The result is a flavorful and less spicy biryani that’s a favorite throughout Kerala.
Key Ingredients:
Khaima/Jeerakasala rice, chicken, fried onions, ghee, cashew nuts, raisins, whole spices.
Recipe:
https://www.recipesaresimple.com/recipe/thalassery-chicken-biriyani-dum-biryani/
Popular Restaurant:
Paris Restaurant (Thalassery) – High Google reviews
10. Erachi Varutharacha Curry (Kerala Style Meat Curry)
Description:
This rich and intensely flavorful meat curry is a feast for the senses. “Erachi” means meat (beef or mutton), and “varutharacha” refers to the method of roasting and grinding spices. The slow-cooked meat is infused with the deep aroma of freshly roasted coconut and spices. This is Kerala comfort food at its best.
Key Ingredients:
Beef or mutton, onions, roasted coconut, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and spices
Recipe:
https://www.thebigsweettooth.com/varutharacha-erachi-curry-mutton-curry/
Popular Restaurant:
MRA Restaurant (multiple locations) – High Google reviews
A Culinary Expedition Complete!
This concludes our delicious exploration of some of Kerala’s most iconic dishes. I hope this virtual food journey has whetted your appetite to try and explore even more of the amazing flavors that “God’s Own Country” has to offer.
Let me know if you have any specific Kerala dishes you’d like to learn about – I’m always happy to continue our food adventure!
