Welcome to Kerala, the land of backwaters, spices, and smiles! Whenever individuals go to this fertile state, they fall in love with not only its scenery but also its cuisine. The famous food in Kerala is full of coconut, spices, rice, and love. Each bite narrates about culture, society, and comfort.
The food in Kerala is not elaborate but tastes good. It is a combination of the old and the new. Whether it is crispy snacks or heavy curries, everything is good. These dishes will not fail to please either a traveler or a local foodie.
So, pack your appetite. We will discuss 25 famous foods in Kerala that transform this paradise of the south into the dream of a food lover.
List of The Top 25 Famous Foods in Kerala
1. Puttu and Kadala Curry
Puttu is among the most popular breakfast meals in Kerala. It is a mushy steamed rice ball made up of a layer of rice flour mixed with grated coconut, and stewing it to perfection. It is fluffy and its aroma of fresh coconut is irresistible. It is a full meal when combined with Kadala Curry, a hot black chickpea curry made in thick gravy made of coconuts. This mixture is not only tasty but also full of protein and fiber, thus healthy to kick start the day. The curry is very strong due to the spices, and the puttu has a mild flavor, which is a perfect match. They are an ideal combination of taste and tradition, which is cherished not only by the locals but also by the travelers.
- Ingredients: Rice flour, grated coconut, black chickpeas, onions, curry leaves, and coconut milk.
- Cultural background: Breakfast in all Malayali households, which demonstrates the intense devotion to Coconuts and rice-based meals in Kerala.
- Where to try: There are small tea stalls and homely cafes in Kochi and Trivandrum where one can enjoy the authentic variants.
2. Appam with Vegetable Stew
Appam and Vegetable Stew is a mild, yummy breakfast or brunch meal. Appams are rice pancakes that are bowl-shaped with crisp sides and are soft and fluffy at the center. They go hand in hand with vegetable stew – a creamy curry stew prepared using coconut milk, carrots, beans, and mild spices such as cloves and cinnamon. The light aroma of stew and the spicy mixture make a fantastic impact on the airy appam and make up a meal that is very calming and satisfying.
- Ingredients: Rice, coconut milk, yeast, vegetables, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Cultural background: It is a traditional dish mostly cooked in Christian homes in Kerala, either as breakfast or during a festival.
- Where to try: Fort Kochi cafes and homestays of Kottayam are the best places to have a combination of both Appam and Stew.
3. Idiyappam with Egg Curry
Idiyappam or string hoppers are finely made noodles of rice that have been cooked in steam until soft. They are airy and smooth, and are suitable for absorbing hot curries. It is an excellent meal with a rich flavor when combined with Kerala-style egg curry, which is boiled eggs cooked in an elaborate coconut gravy. The meal is plain, hearty, and breakfast or dinner.
- Ingredients: Rice flour, eggs, coconut milk, curry leaves, and mustard seeds.
- Cultural background: A traditional dish in the coastal and highland areas of Kerala.
- Where to try: The best Idiyappam with Egg Curry is found in local cafes in Alleppey and Calicut.
4. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (Traditional Chicken Fry)
This is the famous Kerala-style fried chicken that is all about great flavors and a heavy aroma. Chicken pieces are marinated with crushed black pepper, red chili, vinegar, and curry leaves, and then shallow-fried in coconut oil till they reach a golden and crispy color. Each bite is full of spices and smoke, and it cannot be resisted. It is crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. It is a hot meal and is served with Kerala Parotta or rice, and is a delight for spice lovers. Be it in a festival or street stand, the aroma of this meal will attract you even when you are at a distance. It is no wonder that it is one of the famous foods in Kerala, which is enjoyed by everybody.
- Ingredients: Chicken, red chilies, black pepper, vinegar, curry leaves, and coconut oil.
- Cultural background: It is often served at festivals, weddings, and local street stalls as a way of expressing the Kerala love of spicy food that is bold.
- Where to try: Best versions are made in roadside restaurants and local food joints in Ernakulam and Alappuzha.
5. Kerala Prawn Curry
It is a must-have food on the list of famous foods in Kerala. Sweet prawns are cooked in dense coconut milk and tamarind, forming one of the most appropriate combinations of acidic and creamy tastes. The food is made special with fresh curry leaves, garlic, and a combination of local spices that give the food a mouth-watering aroma. Every spoonful of it is a bite of the sea, good and easy to swallow. It is a special seafood meal that is best taken with hot rice and thus characterizes the coastal beauty of Kerala.
- Ingredients: Prawns, coconut milk, tamarind, red chili, garlic, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: It is a traditional seafood dish that has been passed through the generations of the coastal families of Kerala.
- Where to try: Beach cafes in Alleppey, Kollam, and seaside homestays throughout Kerala.
6. Karimeen Pollichathu
Kerala is known to have its share of royal cuisine: Karimeen Pollichathu is a dish that is prepared using pearl-spot fish marinated in chili, lemon, and spices. The fish is then banana-wrapped and slow-cooked, and the smoky aroma is leeched out. You get a mouth-melting, juicy, and tasty dish. This form of cooking maintains the original sweetness of the fish without adding any spicy flavor, but gives it an earthy taste, which is a real manifestation of the culture of Kerala backwaters.
- Ingredients: Lemon juice, pearl-spot fish, red chili powder, banana leaf, and coconut oil.
- Cultural background: This is a delicacy of the backwater and is commonly offered to guests as a sign of royalty.
- Where to try: Houseboats, lakeside resorts, and traditional seafood restaurants in Alleppey.
7. Fish Molee
Fish Molee is a light and smooth curry that presents the calming aspect of Kerala cuisine. The dish is ideal for those who do not like much spice but still want the rich flavor. Pieces of fish are cooked tenderly in coconut milk mixed with turmeric, green chilies, and curry leaves, forming a smooth golden gravy. The mild spice brings out the natural sweetness of the fish and coconut. It is light, fragrant, and cozy – a great meal to enjoy at lunch or dinner. Fish Molee is often accompanied by appam or rice and can be regarded as a symbol of the fine art of Kerala coast cuisine.
- Ingredients: fish, coconut milk, onions, green chilies, curry leaves, and turmeric.
- Cultural background: The dish is traditionally cooked in the homes of the Syrian Christians, on Sundays particularly, and made out of a special meal.
- Where to try: Old restaurants and traditional cafes in Fort Kochi and Kottayam.
8. Beef Curry Malabar Parotta
This Kerala staple meal is audacious, hearty, and memorable. The thick spicy beef curry is absorbed perfectly into the Malabar parotta with its flaky, layered texture. Beef is cooked slowly in coconut oil, crushed pepper, and aromatic spices, and it has a deep smoky taste. Every single bite has a puff of spicy, chewy, and warmness – the kind of comfort food. This is a real treat of the Malabar Muslim food of Kerala, which is enjoyed for its heavy flavor and appetizing aroma. It is better when it is hot and the parottas are fresh out of the tawa.
- Ingredients: Beef, onions, coconut oil, all-purpose flour, black pepper, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: This is a common dish among the Malabar Muslim population, usually served during events and parties.
- Where to try: In Kozhikode and Kannur, it can be tried in the small family-owned restaurants and on the street.
9. Dosa with Kerala Sambar
Kerala-type sambar with crispy dosa is a state favorite all the time. Dosa is golden and is quite thin on paper, somewhat tangy with fermented rice and lentil batter. The sambar in Kerala is different; it is thicker and hotter and is prepared using coconut, tamarind, and fresh vegetables. The combination of the two makes a wholesome and comforting meal that is light and satisfying. It is a favorite breakfast among the locals and tourists alike and is the best way to start your day in Kerala.
- Ingredients: Rice, urad dal, tamarind, coconut, and mixed vegetables.
- Cultural background: A typical South Indian dish with a Kerala style.
- Where to try: Trivandrum and Kochi have numerous breakfast cafes and vegetarian restaurants.
10. Sadya (Onam Feast)
Sadya is a great vegetarian meal of Kerala, which is usually done using banana leaves. It has as many as 25 recipes, which include avial, olan, thoran, pachadi, and payasam. All dishes are made with fresh coconuts, spices, and vegetables and provide a rich combination of colors, tastes, and textures. The food is quite well-balanced, sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory simultaneously. Sadya is not only food, but also part of the culture as it unites families during Onam and weddings.
- Ingredients: Rice, lentils, vegetables, coconut, curd, and jaggery.
- Cultural background: Cooked at the Onam festival and special ceremonies, as an expression of hospitality and tradition of Kerala.
- Where to try: Temple feasts and Onam festivals in Thrissur and the neighboring districts.
11. Erissery
Erissery is a nutritious Kerala curry that is prepared with pumpkin and lentils and mashed with fresh coconut. It is slightly sweet and is low-spiced, which provides a balance of comfort and nutrition. The curry is creamy as a result of the mashed pumpkin and lentils, which provide a source of protein and enrichment. The flavor and aroma are improved by sprinkling toasted coconut on top. Erissery is a mandatory delicacy at the time of Onam and any other festival and represents the core of vegetarian cuisine in Kerala. It is indeed one of the famous foods in Kerala, and it is best served with steamed rice or a traditional Sadya meal.
- Ingredients: Pumpkin, lentils, grated coconuts, cumin, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: A vegetarian delicacy that is commonly made during Onam festivals.
- Where to try: Home-style restaurants as well as traditional restaurants in Palakkad.
12. Olan
Olan is a sweet, creamy curry of coconut milk prepared with the ash gourd and cowpeas. It is white, does not contain many spices, and is laced with a delicate coconut taste. The food is warm, gentle, aromatic, and is usually served with rice at the time of festivals. It is an essential ingredient of the Sadya meal and is adored because of its simplicity and creamy taste.
- Ingredients: Ash gourd, cowpeas, coconut milk, and salt.
- Cultural background: A must-have meal in Onam Sadya, which is a dish of purity and simplicity.
- Where to try: It is available in the vegetarian restaurants and homestays of Kerala.
13. Kalan
Kalan is a dense, spicy curry that is prepared using yams and curd mixed with ground coconut. It is a bit sour, creamy, and spiced to perfection. It is flavored with black pepper and mustard seeds, giving it a Kerala touch. Served alongside Sadya meals, Kalan is an excellent match of spicy and sweet foods.
- Ingredients: Yam, curd, grated coconut, black pepper, and mustard seeds.
- Cultural background: A temple feast and an Onam staple dish, which has a soothing flavor.
- Where to try: Kerala and local lunch houses in Kerala.
14. Thoran
Thoran is a very simple yet flavourful Kerala dish. It is a dry saute dish made of finely cut vegetables that are cooked using grated coconut and light spices. It is crunchy, light, and healthy, and it is such a daily Malayali meal. You will get the ones done with cabbage, beans, or carrots- all good ones.
- Ingredients: Cabbage, beans, carrots, grated coconuts, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: A common homemade plate, which is a representation of the simple and healthy food of Kerala.
- Where to try: available in home food and vegetarian restaurants in Kerala.
15. Palada Payasam
The most renowned dish in Kerala is the Palada Payasam, a creamy pudding consisting of rice flakes, milk, and sugar. It is cooked slowly but perfectly until it becomes creamy and golden, and it has a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture. It is a Kerala dish that is served during festivals and weddings, and that is symbolic of celebration and sweetness.
- Ingredients: Rice ada, full-fat milk, sugar, cardamom, and ghee.
- Cultural background: This is a typical dessert that is served during weddings, temple feasts, and Onam festivals.
- Where to try: Sweet shops and traditional restaurants in Kochi and Thrissur.
16. Pazham Pori (Banana Fritters)
Pazham Pori is among the favorite snacks in Kerala. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, made of ripe bananas covered in light flour batter and deep-fried to a golden color. The banana is light, crunchy, and sweet, which makes it a pleasant evening snack. People drink it with tea, preferably hot tea, particularly during monsoons. Tourists appreciate it due to its modest yet genuine Kerala taste, a taste of real life.
- Ingredients: flour, sugar, oil, and ripe banana (Nendran).
- Cultural background: A general snack that is taken every day throughout Kerala at tea-time.
- Where to try: Roadside shops, tea shops, and canteens in railway stations.
17. Thalassery Biryani
Thalassery Biryani is a special Kerala specialty, a Malabar dish. It is prepared using scented Kaima rice, tender chicken, and mild spices and is light in comparison to other biryanis but richly flavored. It consists of ghee, mint, and fried onions that make it have a special aroma. This biryani is a symbol of the gorgeous blending of Arab and Malabar cultures, which is why it is among the famous foods in Kerala.
- Ingredients: Kaima rice, chicken, fried onions, and mint leaves.
- Cultural background: Belongs to a centuries-old Muslim community of Malabar.
- Where to try: Thalassery and Kozhikode, which are the authentic biryani houses.
18. Ada Pradhaman
Kerala has a King of desserts called Ada Pradhaman. It is prepared by slow-cooking rice ada (flakes) with jaggery and coconut milk till it becomes thick and golden. The smoky richness of roasted coconut flavor is melted in your mouth. This dessert is served at Onam and celebration events, which are part of the traditional Kerala sweet culture.
- Ingredients: Rice ada, jaggery, coconut milk, ghee, and cardamom.
- Cultural background: Onam Sadya is a special dessert that represents a celebration and prosperity.
- Where to try: Festival and traditional restaurants in the state of Kerala.
19. Chatti Pathiri
Chatti Pathiri is a multi-layered Malabar delicacy, which looks like a lasagna with the Kerala touch. The pancakes are made thinly in layers filled with spicy minced meat or sweetened coconut and egg mix. Then it is soaked in ghee and cooked very slowly until soft and aromatic. It is full, celebratory, and most rewarding.
- Ingredients: Flour, eggs, sugar, minced meat, coconut, and ghee.
- Cultural background: A Dishes of Malabar Muslims that they cook primarily during Ramadan and family meetings.
- Where to try: Bakeries and home cafes in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
20. Kappa and Meen Curry
Kerala meal is a rustic meal made of boiled tapioca (kappa) and red fish curry (meen curry). The spicy fish gravy is served with the soft tapioca, which is a perfect match. It is a simple yet very substantial meal that is reminiscent of the Malayalam origins. It is delicious, cheap, and filling, multi-generational, and one of the most famous foods in Kerala.
- Ingredients: Tapioca, fish, tamarind, red chili, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: Family meal of fishermen and village dwellers.
- Where to try: Homes and local seafood shacks on the coast in Kerala.
21. Kallumakkaya Ularthiyathu (Mussel Fry)
Kallumakkaya Ularthiyathu is a spicy seafood submarine dish prepared by frying fresh mussels with grated coconut, onions, and Kerala spices. The mussels become crispy and smoky, and hence, it is one of the well-known foods in Kerala among seafood lovers. Its taste is a perfect representation of the Kerala coast.
- Ingredients: Mussels, grated coconut, onions, black pepper, and curry leaves.
- Cultural background: A sea delicacy in North Kerala, particularly when they go fishing.
- Where to try: Beach stands and little restaurants in Kannur and Kozhikode.
- You can also read the – Backwaters of Kerala Alleppey Houseboat Guide
22. Thattu Dosa
Thattu Dosa is a small and thick dosa made in the tavas on the street and provided as a hot dish with chutney or spicy beef curry. It is fast, delicious, and extremely inexpensive – a late-night snack. Vendors of the street earn dozens in a few minutes, and the street smells like heaven.
- Ingredients: Rice, Urad dal, coconut oil, and salt.
- Cultural background: A street food sensation that the locals throughout Kerala experience at night.
- Where to try: Street stands in Malappuram, Calicut, and Trivandrum.
23. Avial
Avial is a colorful blend of vegetables cooked in curd, coconuts, and mild spices. It is white, spicy, and full of nutrients, one of the Kerala specialties in vegetarian food. Served at the grand Onam Sadya, Avial is a healthy mixture of flavor and taste.
- Ingredients: Mixed vegetables, curd, grated coconut, curry leaves, and coconut oil.
- Cultural background: Sadya is a major dish in the culture of Kerala, which represents the interplay of flavors in the state.
- Where to try: Restaurants and home-like lunch rooms with traditional vegetarian food.
24. Parippu Curry (Lentil Curry)
The Parippu Curry is a soothing dal prepared using moong lentils, coconut, and ghee. It is slightly spiced, fatty, and is to be paired with rice and papad. It is the favorite of all ages, and it forms the core of every Sadya dish.
- Ingredients: Moong dal, coconuts, cumin, turmeric, and ghee.
- Cultural background: A cultural delicacy that is taken in Sadyas, temple feasts, and at home.
- Where to try: Temple festivals and local lunch places in Kerala.
25. Nilgiri Tea and Banana Chips
Kerala has a popular snack combination, which is Nilgiri Tea and crispy banana chips. The mountain tea helps in counterbalancing the saltiness of the chips, the chips themselves being simple but memorable. It is a tourist necessity and a pleasure to the locals.
- Ingredients: Fresh tea leaves, Nendran bananas, coconut oil, and salt.
- Cultural background: A typical Kerala hill station and home refreshment.
- Where to try: Tea shops in Munnar, Wayanad, and roadside stalls across the state.
- Also Check out – 11 Days Munnar Wayanad Adventure Trip
Why Kerala’s Cuisine is Special?
The Kerala environment is very varied in terms of famous foods — every part has its magic. The Kerala cuisine has something for everyone as it is characterized by spicy seafood along the coast and mild vegetarian meals inland. It is a festival of freshness, society, and warmth.
To get information on food and traveling, refer to Kerala Tourism, NDTV Food, TravelTriangle Kerala Food Guide, or Lonely Planet Kerala.
Conclusion
It is not only backwaters and beaches, Kerala is a food heaven. The Kerala foods are known to bring together spices, coconut, and heart. All dishes are attentive, community, and creative.
Then, you come to visit not only Kerala, but also taste it. Sample its snacks, curries, and desserts. Feel its warmth in every bite.
Traveling through these 25 famous foods in Kerala will be a very happy, tasty, and unforgettable road.
FAQ
1. What are vegetarian dishes that must be tried?
Vegetarian foods to have include Avial, Olan, Kalan, and Thoran.
2. Is Kerala food spicy?
It may be spicy; however, you may always order a milder version.
3. What is unique about Kerala food?
It has a unique identity due to the heavy usage of coconut and spices.
4. Are there sufficient choices for vegetarians?
Absolutely! Kerala has a variety of vegetarian and vegan meals.
5. What is the special food of Kerala?
Sadya – the feast of tradition- this is the real spirit of Kerala.
6. Where do tourists eat authentic food?
In homestays, toddy shops, and local lunch houses.
7. What is the most popular dessert?
Palada Payasam and Ada Pradhaman are at the top of the list.
8. Is seafood easily available?
Yes! The long coast of Kerala means that there will be fresh food every day.
9. What is a Kerala breakfast?
Appam and Puttu with Stew.
10. What is the best time of year for food festivals?
Onam (August-September) is when you will have the largest feasts.
