If you're new to Kerala food and flavours, or are from Kerala but haven’t lived in Kerala and are missing your food-roots then you’ve reached the right place! Today, we’re going to take you and your taste buds on a Mallu adventure, stick around. We're about to dive into the deliciousness that is Malayalee food!
So What Makes Malayali Cuisine So Special?
Kerala, often called "God's Own Country," is a paradise of stunning coastlines, fertile soil, and an unbeatable spice garden, earning it the nickname "Land of Spices." This flavorful haven has been said to be trading spices with Europe and ancient civilizations like the Sumerians since 3000 BCE.
Thanks to its prime location on the Malabar Coast, Kerala has been a magnet for explorers, with the famous Vasco Da Gama leading the pack. But he wasn’t the only one—Portuguese, Dutch, and British adventurers also made their mark, shaping Kerala's vibrant mix of Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities and leaving a delicious legacy in its cuisine.
Let’s paint you a picture - what to expect from Kerala food culture
When you step into Kerala, the first things you'll notice are its vibrant colors, the lush greenery, and the tantalizing aromas wafting from every corner.
Seafood is a staple diet, alongside beef, pork, poultry, and mutton for non-vegetarians. One of the crown jewels of Kerala's seafood offerings is Karimeen, or pearl-spotted fish. This rare and expensive fish is a local delicacy, delicious whether fried or in curry form. Other popular seafood favourites include seer fish, nanga, cuttlefish, and kingfish.
Beyond seafood, rice, coconut, and curry leaves are the holy trinity of Keralite cuisine, present in nearly every dish. Traditional Keralite homes often use unpolished rice, which is considered healthier as it retains its original fibres. This emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients ensures that every meal is as nutritious as it is delicious.
What You'll See and Taste in Kerala
- Vibrant Markets and Spices:
Kerala's markets are a riot of colours and scents, filled with fresh produce, fragrant spices, and exotic fruits. The spice stalls are particularly mesmerizing, with piles of black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, ready to add their magic to your meals.
- Traditional Sadhya Feasts:
Experience the grandeur of a traditional Sadhya, a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. It features a variety of dishes like avial (mixed vegetable curry), thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut), sambhar (lentil stew), and payasam (sweet dessert), making for a truly festive meal.
- Street Food Delights:
Kerala’s streets are lined with stalls offering delicious snacks. Don’t miss out on banana chips, pazham pori (banana fritters), and spicy beef fry. These treats are perfect for a quick bite as you explore the area.
- Coconut in Every Form:
From coconut oil to grated coconut and coconut milk, this versatile ingredient finds its way into most Keralite dishes. It adds a creamy richness to curries and desserts alike.
- Exotic Tropical Fruits:
Enjoy fresh tropical fruits like jackfruit, mangoes, and bananas. These fruits are not only a refreshing treat but also integral to many local recipes. Especially, bananas and plantains, they’re used in everything from curries to snacks to desserts!
- Diverse Culinary Influences:
Kerala’s cuisine reflects its rich history and diverse cultural influences. You’ll find flavours from Portuguese, Dutch, and British cuisines mingling with traditional Indian spices, creating a unique and delicious fusion.
- Refreshing Beverages:
Quench your thirst with local beverages like tender coconut water, spiced buttermilk, and the famous Kerala chai (tea). These drinks are perfect companions to the hot and humid climate.
- Warm Hospitality:
Above all, the warmth and hospitality of the people make dining in Kerala a truly special experience. Meals are often shared with family and friends, creating a sense of community and connection.
Traditional Cooking Techniques in Kerala
Malayalee cooking is all about letting the ingredients shine. Here are some of the most popular traditional methods:
- Steaming: Healthy and tasty dishes like puttu (steamed rice cake) and idiyappam (string hoppers) are steamed to perfection.
- Slow Cooking: Slow-cooking curries and stews lets the flavours meld beautifully.
- Fermentation: Appam (fermented rice pancake) and dosa (fermented rice and lentil crepe) owe their unique taste and texture to fermentation.
Must-Try Malayalee Dishes
- Sadhya
Sadhya is the ultimate vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. It’s a festival favorite with a lineup of dishes like avial (mixed vegetable curry), thoran (stir-fried veggies with coconut), sambhar (lentil stew), and payasam (sweet dessert).
- Kerala Fish Curry
This iconic dish features fresh fish simmered in a spicy, tangy coconut milk gravy. Think tamarind, green chilies, and curry leaves. It’s a flavor bomb!
- Appam with Stew
Appam is a soft, fluffy rice pancake with crispy edges, perfect for soaking up a mild, coconut milk-based stew. Whether it’s veggie or meat, this combo is pure comfort food.
- Malabar Parotta
From the Malabar region, this flaky, layered flatbread is a match made in heaven with spicy curries or meat dishes.
- Puttu and Kadala Curry
Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake layered with grated coconut. Pair it with Kadala Curry, a robust black chickpea curry with roasted coconut and spices, for a breakfast that’s both hearty and delicious.
If you’re in Goa and craving yummy Kerala food, look NO FURTHER! Head over to Chakos in Panjim, right at the entrance of Fontainhas, for a culinary experience you won’t forget. Owned and run by Chef Karan Manavalan and his wife, Chakos brings the heart and soul of Kerala to Goa. Inspired by his Ammama, with whom he spent countless summer vacations learning to cook family feasts, Karan pours his love, emotions, and culinary expertise into every dish. Step into this charming spot and let the flavours of Kerala transport you to Karan’s Ammama’s kitchen!