Do you want to taste the rich and aromatic food while enjoying the warm tropical evening by the backwaters? Imagine eating the authentic food of Kerala, and every bite reveals the culture of this beautiful place. The food hunt through the Kerala tour package will take you on a journey to know the most loved Kerala dishes, timeless cuisines and Kerala special food that locals love to eat. This guide will help you through this delicious way and help you plan your trip so that you can focus on your perfect food-centric trip to Kerala!
15 Must‑Try Foods of Kerala
Foodies assemble! If you want to try the most popular food of Kerala, which is also one of the best things to do in Kerala, that can satisfy not only your hunger but also your soul, then you cannot afford to miss these Kerala cuisine dishes. Get ready to make the most of your Kerala culture food journey. Let’s dive in.
1. Puttu and Kadala Curry
The ideal food of Kerala includes the breakfast combination of Puttu, steamed rice flour with grated coconut and served with spicy kadala curry made from black chickpeas, cooked in the coconut gravy. The fluffy puttu and flavorful curry form a comforting and exciting taste, the speciality to capture Kerala cuisine.
Best place to try: Local tea shops in Kozhikode or Kochi.
Approximate cost: ₹70-₹120.
2. Appam with Stew
One of the most loved Kerala dishes is Appam. It is a soft, lace-edged pancake made from fermented rice with a fragrant coconut-milk stew served with it, either with vegetables or chicken or mutton. The light appam absorbs the mild stew, making it creamy and aromatic. It is simple but luxurious and demonstrates how balanced the Kerala authentic food can be.
Best place to try: Some Christian restaurants are the best in Kottayam or Alleppey.
Approximate cost: ₹150- ₹ 250.
3. Idiyappam with Egg/ Vegetable Curry
Idiyappam or string hoppers are thin rice noodles, which are steamed to perfection, making them an ideal choice among Kerala famous food items for breakfast for the locals and tourists. Served with a curry, it is light but filling. The soft idlis go well with creamy curries made with egg, vegetables, or chicken, depending on the preference of the consumer, reflecting the versatility of the dish.
Best place to try: Locally run eateries of Ernakulam or Trivandrum
Approximate cost: ₹80 - ₹150.
4. Malabar Parotta with Beef, or Chicken Curry
Malabar Parotta is flaky, soft and a little chewy and made with refined flour and ghee. It accompanies spicy beef or chicken curry very well. This dish is not a meal; it is an emotion to many people here, making it a Kerala special food, often eaten late at night on the streets of Kerala.
Best place to try: Street Stalls (Kozhikode or Malappuram)
Approximate cost: ₹200 - ₹300.
5. Kerala Prawn Curry
Prawn curry is a coastal delight of Kerala. Fresh prawns are simmered in a thick coconut milk, pepper and spices for a tangy and creamy flavour. The smell of curry leaves and mustard seeds makes it unforgettable. If you are a seafood lover, this is the best food of Kerala that you must try!
Best place to try: Seaside restaurants in Alappuzha or Kollam.
Approximate cost: ₹300 - ₹450.
6. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (Spicy Chicken Fry)
For those who prefer strong tastes, this food of Kerala is a treat for you. The chicken is marinated with red chilli, ginger, and garlic, vinegar and fried with curry leaves until crisp. It is spicy, juicy, and has a local flavour. It Kerala culture food is the reflection of the warmth and passion of the Kerala people.
Best place to try: Local shops in Thiruvananthapuram.
Approximate cost: ₹180 - ₹250.
7. Naadan Beef Fry
This is a popular food of Kerala. It is cooked with pepper, onions, small coconut pieces and curry leaves till it is dark and crispy. The smell is amazing! It is usually accompanied by Malabar parotta or rice. It is the reflection of the bold spirit of northern Kerala.
Best place to try: Kozhikode or Thrissur Local Restaurants
Approximate cost: 220 - 300.
8. Fish Molee (Meen Molee)
If you prefer something milder, then Fish Molee is a good option. It is a famous dish of Kerala and contains fish cooked in coconut milk, turmeric, and tomatoes. It is rich but gentle. It is served with rice or appam. It is creamy, aromatic and comforting, so even first-time visitors love it.
Best place to try: Backwater houseboats or Alleppey restaurants.
Approximate cost: ₹350 - ₹500.
9. Avial
Avial is a dish of different vegetables cooked with coconut, curry leaves and some curd. This is amongst the famous vegetarian and traditional Kerala dishes, which is mildly spiced, healthy and tasty. It is usually a part of Kerala feasts. Simple and soulful, Avial depicts the comfort of real Kerala home cooking.
Best place to try: During an Onam Sadya or in a vegetarian restaurant in Kochi.
Approximate cost: ₹120 - ₹200.
10. Erissery
This is a favourite during festivals and one of the most loved Kerala food items. This is made from pumpkin, yams or beans cooked in coconut and flavoured with mustard seeds. It has a sweet, mild and nutty smell. Erissery is an important part of festival meals and gives a warm and cosy taste of the food of Kerala.
Best place to try: Thrissur vegetarian restaurants or old-fashioned households.
Approximate cost: ₹110 - ₹180.
11. Sadya (The Traditional Feast)
If you want to taste the Kerala speciality food, it is the Sadya. It is a grand vegetarian feast, which is usually served on a banana leaf, containing over 20 items. Rice, avial, sambar, pachadi and many payasams make each bite of food equal to celebrations. Sadya is the centre of the food culture of Kerala and is served during weddings and Onam.
Best place to try: During the Onam festival or traditional hotels in Kochi.
Approximate Cost: ₹400 - ₹800 (depends on variety)
12. Thalassery Biryani
Thalassery Biryani is Kerala most famous food. It is a mixture of the Arabic and Malabar influences. It is prepared using short grain rice (jeerakasala), spices and marinated meat. It is fragrant, but not quite spicy. Every spoonful of it is a story of the trading past of Kerala, bringing different flavours in one unique dish.
Best place to try: Biryani restaurants in Thalassery and Kannur.
Approximate cost: ₹250 - ₹350.
13. Ada Pradhaman
An exploration of the top food of Kerala is incomplete without Ada Pradhaman, the most celebrated dessert. It is made with rice flakes (ada), jaggery, ghee and coconut milk. It is creamy, sweet and rich with festive flavours. This traditional payasam is a must-have dish after any Kerala cuisine in any feast.
Best places to try: Dessert counters or at the Temple festivals.
Approximate cost: ₹80 to ₹150.
14. Pazham Pori (Banana Fritters)
Pazham Pori is a favourite food of Kerala for many people. It is made by dipping ripe bananas in batter and deep-frying them in coconut oil. The result is a golden and crispy bite that goes well with tea. It is a regular snack in a home and a tea shop in Kerala.
Best places to try: roadside stalls at Ernakulam or Trivandrum.
Approximate cost: ₹40 to ₹70 for two fritters.
15. Fish and Meen Curry (Tapioca with Fish Curry)
Kappa and Meen Curry is a typical and traditional food of Kerala. Kappa means steamed tapioca. It is served with spicy red fish curry, which uses tamarind and chilli. The dish is hearty, fiery and very satisfying. It is a symbol of life at the coast as well as a Kerala special food.
Best places to try: Backwater Homestays near Alappuzha or Kollam.
Approximate cost: ₹150 to ₹250.
Conclusion
If you wonder what Kerala is famous for as far as food is concerned, the answer is the varied food of Kerala. It contains simple breakfast items such as puttu and appam, heavy items such as fish molee or beef fry, and sweets such as ada pradhaman. Kerala cuisine is not just food; it is a representation of culture, tradition and warmth. Whether you are on a backwater houseboat or eating food wrapped in a banana leaf as part of a feast or while walking down a street food lane, each bite of food tells you a story about Kerala. Your taste buds will thank you for this experience, so do not wait anymore, and plan a trip now.
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