Top 10 Kerala Food Items to Try!

Source

With its long coastline and history of trade with Arabs, Europeans, and Chinese, Kerala has developed a cuisine that is as diverse as its landscapes. From the time of ancient spice routes, Kerala has attracted explorers and traders, and you can taste that rich history in every bite. 

Known for its bold use of spices like black pepper, cardamom, and curry leaves, Kerala dishes range from mildly spiced delicacies like Appam with stew to fiery options such as Beef Ularthiyathu. While the region offers a variety of vegetarian staples like Avial and Erissery, Kerala is equally famous for its non-vegetarian delights, including Fish Moilee, Pork Roast, and Beef Biryanis.

At the heart of Kerala cuisine lies its Holy Trinity of ingredients: coconut, curry leaves, and banana. Coconut, in its many forms, adds richness to almost every dish, while curry leaves lend their distinct aroma and bitter flavour, and banana adds a meaty touch, acting as hero and sidekick in many Kerala recipes.

Here are our suggestions of the most popular Kerala food items to try when eating at a Kerala restaurant near you!

1. Appam (Rice Pancake)

Appam is a soft, bowl-shaped pancake made with fermented rice batter; appam is light and slightly crispy at the edges and soft and bouncy in the centre. It’s often paired with a mild yet flavourful stew made with vegetables or meat cooked in coconut milk. 

2. Malabar Parotta (Type of Bread)

This flaky, layered flatbread hails from the Malabar region and is a crowd favourite - very difficult to get right. It takes people years to become a ‘Parotta Master. Pair it with spicy chicken, mutton, or beef curry, and you’ll experience one of the most loved Kerala food items. The crispy texture and buttery flavour of the parotta are a must-try!

3. Thalassery Biryani (Rice Dish)

A unique variant of the biryani, Thalassery Biryani is a delicious mix of rice and spices with chicken or mutton, cooked to perfection. Thalassery biryani is made with kaima rice (Jeerakasala), a short-grain rice that gives it a unique flavour and aroma. The dish incorporates typical Kerala spices and is often served with raita, roasted cashews, and chamanthi chutney.

4. Beef Ularthiyathu (Beef Fry)

Beef Ularthiyathu is a fiery beef fry dish that is slow-cooked with pepper, spices and coconut slivers, giving it a rich texture. This dish is incredibly popular in Kerala and is a fantastic bar bite and also can be enjoyed with rice, parotta, or appam.

5. Fish Moilee (Fish Curry)

Seafood lovers cannot miss Fish Moilee, a Kerala-style fish curry simmered in coconut milk with a touch of tang from tomatoes, green chillies, and other spices. This dish is light, flavourful, and typically served with appam or rice. It’s one of Kerala's famous dishes!

6. Pazham Pori (Fried Banana Fritter)

Pazham Pori is a beloved snack in Kerala, consisting of ripe bananas dipped in a sweet or savoury batter and deep-fried until golden. It’s the perfect tea time snack, and no trip to a Kerala restaurant would be complete without trying this crispy, sweet delicacy.

7. Meen Pollichathu (Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaf)

A signature seafood dish, Meen Pollichathu is made by marinating fish, typically pearl spot or mackerel, in a blend of spices and coconut milk, then wrapping it in banana leaves and steaming it over a slow fire. This slow-cooking method allows the spices to meld beautifully with the fish, giving it an incredibly tender texture.

8. Neychoru (Ghee Rice)

Neychoru, or ghee rice, is a fragrant dish made with rice cooked in ghee, flavoured with whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Neychoru pairs beautifully with spicy curries.

9. BDF (Beef Dry Fry)

A true Kerala favourite, BDF or Beef Dry Fry, is marinated in a mix of spices and deep fried, giving it a crispy texture. BDF is usually served as a starter and goes great with drinks.

10. Payasam

A sweet pudding or porridge originating from South India, this dish is a staple in Indian culture. Typically made with milk, rice, and sugar or jaggery, it often features the addition of nuts, dried fruits, cardamom, and saffron for extra flavour and richness.

Wherever in the world you may be, if you’re craving the authentic flavours of Kerala, these dishes are a must-try at any Kerala restaurant near you. From the crispy Pazham Pori to the rich Thalassery Biryani, each dish offers a glimpse into the heart of Kerala cuisine. So, whether you're new to Kerala food or a long-time fan, be sure to indulge in these top 10 dishes to experience the true essence of this vibrant and diverse culinary tradition.

FAQs for Top 10 Kerala Food Items to Try