Kerala Cuisine: A Tour Through The Best 19 Kerala Dishes

Popularly known as “God’s Own Country,” Kerala inherits pride in a rich and varied food culture. As a whole, Kerala cuisine is commonly known for its bold flavor preparations with both coconut-based curries and a generous use of spices. Having been mingled with various cultures and regions, Kerala cuisine would fit any role, from pure vegetarian dishes to seafood and meat delicacies.

In this blog, we look at 19 best dishes from Kerala cuisine-each having its richness in taste and way of preparation. In due course, we shall also try to highlight some interesting facts about food in Kerala, which you can’t miss out on during your trip to Kerala.

19 Best Kerala Cuisine to Try:

1. Appam with Stew
2. Puttu and Kadala Curry
3. Karimeen Pollichathu
4. Idiyappam with Egg Curry
5. Malabar Biryani
6. Sadhya
7. Erissery
8. Palada Payasam
9. Avial
10. Parippu Curry
11. Kappa with Fish Curry
12. Pathiri
13. Thalassery Biryani
14. Theeyal
15. Fried Banana Chips
16. Chicken Curry
17. Kozhukatta
18. Unniyappam
19. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu

Appam with Stew

Appam is a soft, lacy pancake made from fermented rice batter. As the tradition goes, it is mostly served with a fragrant stew. The usual stew happens to be coconut-based, containing vegetables or meat like chicken and mutton. It is the ideal representation of Kerala cuisine, as it heavily relies on coconut and rice. Appam is crispy on the edges and soft in the middle; hence, it goes extremely well with this mildly spiced stew, which was rich in flavors yet subtle at the same time.

Popular at: Kashi Art Café, Fort Kochi

Average Price: ₹100-₹150 per plate

Puttu and Kadala Curry

Puttu is a steamed rice cake and is mainly prepared for breakfast in Kerala cuisine. It is mostly served with Kadala Curry-a spicy black chickpea curry cooked with coconut and spices. Soft, crumby puttu steeped in this rich, thick curry forms a comfortable and wholesome meal. This everyday food from Kerala is loved for its simplicity and how well the flavor of coconut and spices mingle together.

Popular at: Vinayaka Café, Trivandrum

Average Price: ₹50-₹100 per plate

Suggested Read: Famous temples in Kerala

Karimeen Pollichathu

Karimeen Pollichathu is one of the special and traditional Kerala dishes prepared mainly with pearl spot fish, which is locally known as Karimeen. The fish is marinated with spicy ingredients and then wrapped in banana leaves, grilling it until it is well cooked. The mode of preparation in banana leaves gives an earthy flavor to the fish, while the spice mixture used on it provides the richness to the dish. This is a traditional Kerala food that local people love for the feel and taste of it.

Popular at: Fort House Restaurant, Kochi

Average Price: ₹300-₹450 per serving

Idiyappam with Egg Curry

Idiyappam, or string hoppers, is a certain rice-flour noodle variety that is steamed and usually served with egg curry. The tender and soft nature of idiyappam goes well with the spicy egg curry cooked in coconut milk. It is one of the best Kerala cuisine breakfast dishes due to its simple, comfortable flavors. The dish is extremely light, easy to digest, and filled with aromatic spices that define Kerala food.

Popular at: Aaryas Vegetarian Restaurant, Kollam

Average Price: ₹70-₹120 per plate

Did You Know? What is the main cuisine of Kerala? The traditional cuisine of Kerala finds its base in the fresh produce, rice, and coconut, along with the variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Spices are a must in the food of Kerala, and this state is also famous for its curries made of everything that gets cultivated.

Malabar Biryani

Malabar Biryani is an aromatic rice-based dish made of basmati rice, spices, and chicken, mutton, or fish. Originating from Malabar, it has been named so, while it is prepared by the method of ‘dum’ in which rice is combined with meat and is cooked slowly. Mouth-watering aroma, along with soft rice and juicy tender meat, makes it one of the most popular Kerala dishes, among the locals as well as visitors.

Popular at: Paragon Restaurant, Kozhikode

Average Price: ₹200-₹300 per plate

Sadhya

Sadhya, the traditional feast of Kerala, especially during festivals or other celebrations, is served on a banana leaf. This is a vegetarian meal with a multi-course spread, mainly comprising rice, sambar, rasam, avial, thoran, and payasam. Indeed, sadhya stands to represent the variety and richness of Kerala’s cuisine in vegetarian dishes, each contributing its unique taste and texture. In fact, this is a full meal, as there will be harmony in the combination of varieties like many curries, chutneys, and side dishes together.

Popular at: Sree Krishna Inn, Ernakulam

Average Price: ₹150-₹250 per meal

Erissery

Erissery is prepared with pumpkin or yam, which is cooked with ground coconut, cumin seeds, and green chilies, making it a really tasty vegetarian dish. One of the staples of Kerala cuisine, erissery is usually eaten along with rice. The reddish-brown dish is tempered with roasted coconut, mustard seeds, and curry leaves, all combining together to give it a rich, nutty flavor. Erissery is one of the popular dishes in Kerala, prepared during festivals like Onam. A great number of people just love its creamy texture and sweet-spicy flavor.

Popular at: Saravana Bhavan, Kochi

Average Price: ₹80-₹120 per serving

Did You Know? Which is most eaten food in India? Rice is majorly consumed in India, and it is still consumed largely in southern states like Kerala. Rice usually accompanies most of the curries and forms part of Kerala cuisine.

Suggested Read: Best places to visit in Coorg

Palada Payasam

Palada Payasam is a rice pudding with rice ada, milk, and sugar as sweeteners. Traditionally, it is a dessert of Sadhya and one of the most integral parts of Kerala cuisine. The creaminess and richness in the texture of payasam and its subtle sweetness make it perfect to end a grand meal. Normally, Palada Payasam comes garnished with a pinch of cardamom, cashew, and raisins, and hence, anyone who loves Kerala food with sweetness should give it a try.

Popular at: Annapoorna Restaurant, Thrissur

Average Price: ₹50-₹100 per serving

Avial

Avial is a vegetable stew prepared in coconut and yogurt, flavored with curry leaves and coconut oil. Avial is one of the traditional foods in Kerala, generally part of Sadhya, which means traditionally eaten food. The dish is mildly spiced, with coconut and yogurt making it creamily textured and tangy in taste. Avial is not only nutritious but also considered one of the excellent illustrations of Kerala cuisine, which depends upon fresh vegetables and coconut with every meal.

Popular at: Arya Bhavan, Alappuzha

Average Price: ₹80-₹150 per serving

Parippu Curry

Parippu Curry is a mild and simple lentil curry made with yellow lentils, coconut, and spices. Traditionally, it is served with rice as part of the Sadhya meal. In Kerala cuisine, there are different preparations with lentils; however, Parippu Curry holds a special place because it exudes comfort in its taste and a creaminess in its texture. The dish is moderately spiced, wherein the distinct flavor of coconut is unmissable and makes this dish indispensable for any people who relish Sadhya course delicacies in Kerala food.

Popular at: Mother’s Veg Plaza, Thiruvananthapuram

Average Price: ₹60-₹100 per serving

Kappa with Fish Curry

Boiled tapioca, or kappa, is generally served with spicy fish curry and forms one of the most loved combinations of dishes with the locals of Kerala. Fish curry would be prepared in tamarind with spices, preparing a proper, sharp sauce that goes well with kappa because of its starchy nature. Representing the heart of Kerala cuisine, this simple ingredient makes for a mouth-watering meal stuffed with flavors. It is comforting and filling; a part of everyday food in Kerala.

Popular at: Mullapanthal Toddy Shop, Ernakulam

Average Price: ₹150-₹250 per plate

Pathiri

Pathiri is a variant of flat bread made with rice flour and usually served with spicy curries. This tender and paper-thin-skinned bread plays an important role in the food culture of Keralites, predominantly in the Malabar region. Pathiri is light and gluten-free, hence it effortlessly makes for a good companion to rich and flavorsome curries. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes go well with Pathiri, adding their share of tenderness to the meal as a whole.

Popular at: Rahmath Hotel, Kozhikode

Average Price: ₹50-₹100 per serving

Did You Know? What is the famous dish of Kerala veg? Avial is probably one of the most popular vegetarian dishes of the state. A mixed vegetable curry made with coconut and yogurt is a staple during traditional feasts like Sadhya.

Thalassery Biryani

Thalassery Biryani is another type of biryani in northern Kerala. A different kind of rice called Jeerakasala is used to prepare this dish. Since the rice and meat are cooked separately from each other, the preparation differs by mixing them together in layers. Thalassery Biryani is noted for its aroma and is less spicy. Being an iconic Kerala cuisine dish, it is favored at special occasions and especially during family gatherings.

Popular at: Paris Restaurant, Thalassery

Average Price: ₹180-₹250 per plate

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Kerala

Theeyal

Theeyal is a rich, dark curry made of roasted coconut, tamarind, and spices, besides which any seasonal vegetable or available seafood may be used for it. What makes this particular Kerala cuisine so unique is the roasted coconut paste in it, lending it a distinctive fumy flavor. Theeyal is one of the favorite pieces of Kerala food for its depth of flavor due to the perfect balance between tangy, spicy, and sweet tastes.

Popular at: Dhe Puttu, Ernakulam

Average Price: ₹80-₹150 per serving

Fried Banana Chips

Banana chips, or simply Nendran chips, are one of the most popular snacks among all Kerala dishes. For making banana chips, plantains are used-either ripe or raw. Chips are thin and generally deep-fried to a golden crispiness. Added seasonings include sprinkles of salt or sugar at times. Chips are usually sold as a snack and go very well with most dishes. In fact, chips are among the most loved dishes in Kerala during festivals and celebrations for their crunch and satiating taste.

Popular at: Kumari Banana Chips, Thrissur

Average Price: ₹200-₹300 per kg

Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is one of the imperative items in Kerala cuisine, made with a mixture of coconut milk and spices. The coconut milk provides the thick, creamy character, while the presence of spices increases the flavor drastically. Be it with appam, idiyappam, or simply plain rice, chicken curry is a must-have item in each and every Kerala meal. Comforting food that says it all about the rich heritage of best Kerala food.

Popular at: Grand Hotel, Kochi

Average Price: ₹200-₹300 per serving

Kozhukatta

Kozhukatta refers to steamed rice dumplings filled with sweet coconut and jaggery. In Kerala, these dumplings are one of the common preparations on festive occasions. Kozhukatta is easy to make and tempting, too, because one would not refrain from the soft and rubbery texture of this dessert or the sweetness of the filling inside. It is culturally important in Kerala’s food habits, particularly during religious occasions when it remains a treat and part of the cultural expression.

Popular at: Pazhayidom, Kottayam

Average Price: ₹40-₹70 per serving

Unniyappam

Unniyappam is a small sweet snack made of rice, jaggery, and banana. Fried deep, the snacks are crispy outside and soft inside. For this reason, the snack is sure to be one of the best Kerala famous food items. Unniyappam is a common offering in temples but also gets enjoyed as a teatime snack. The sweetness with the subtle flavor of banana makes it a delicacy for any who love traditional Kerala cuisine.

Popular at: Sree Krishna Sweets, Kollam

Average Price: ₹30-₹50 per piece

Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu

Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu is known as fried chicken in Kerala style; it’s spicy and crispy, hence loved by locals. Chicken marinated in spices and deep-fried usually enjoys the company of parotta or rice as a companion. It is crispy and spicy, hence one of the most loved dishes of Kerala-both at home and outside restaurants. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu speaks well for bold and spicy flavors typical of Kerala dishes.

Popular at: Kayees Rahmathulla Café, Mattancherry, Kochi

Average Price: ₹180-₹250 per serving

Did You Know? What is the national dish of Kerala? Although there is no officially recognized national dish for Kerala, the Sadhya is a symbolic representation of Kerala food culture. This is a sumptuous vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf and prepared specially during festivals like Onam.

Suggested Read: Places to eat in Kerala

Indulge in Lip Smacking Kerala Cuisine

The cuisine of Kerala is a blend of flavor, texture, and smell, a fact that truly depicts the vivid culture and history of the state. From spicy seafood to mouthwatering vegetarian food, Kerala has something for everyone to appreciate. In these different popular dishes, Kerala bears an essence of the region through an aroma of coconut, spices, and rice. So, why wait? Book your Kerala tour today with TripzyGo and enjoy these lip smacking delicacies.