Kerala is known as God’s Own Country for its natural beauty and gorgeous tourist destinations, while also being famous for its rich culture, traditions, and delicious food.
If you’re looking to try the traditional food of Kerala, there are several dishes that you should not miss on your trip. If you’re a non-vegetarian, then you’ll especially fall in love with the culinary delights of the state, while there are classic Southern Indian staples available as well.
Let us take a look at some of the top traditional items below.
Traditional Food of Kerala- Best Options Worth Trying
Here are some of the top choices that you should try if you’re looking to sample the traditional food of Kerala on your trip.
1. Puttu and Kadala Curry:
Puttu is a steamed and cylindrical rice cake that is made with coconut shavings. This is an item that is immensely popular for breakfast and even as a snack. The best part is that you can have it with the piping hot and sumptuous Kadala curry that mainly uses black chickpeas. You’ll find this dish widely available almost everywhere in Kerala and often comes with grated coconut and ripe bananas for a complete meal.
2. Appam and Stew:
If you’ve been to Kerala and not eaten Appam with Stew, then it’s an impossible proposition to believe! Almost anyone from Kerala will vouch for the deliciousness of the thick and soft rice pancake or Appam and its crispy and paper-thin exterior. You can have it with classic Kerala-style meat stew, where the richness of the coconut curry wows you instantly!
3. Idiyappam:
Another hearty meal awaits you when you sample Idiyappam for breakfast or lunch. It uses water, salt, and rice flour in its preparation and multiple vermicelli strands join together to make this unique Appam version. It is also known as Noolappam in several regions of Kerala and you can have it with almost any curry or stew for an unmatched experience.
4. Nadan Kozhi Varuthatu:
Spicy and tasty chicken fry is a hit snack in Kerala and almost everywhere else in India! However, the version in the state is really unique and comes on a banana leaf for you to dig into! Garlic, onion, vinegar, chilli, and coriander are used to fry the chicken impeccably and the signature taste will leave you wanting more!
5. Kerala Prawn Curry:
Kerala has a long and beautiful coastline and one of its biggest attractions for foodies is the signature coastal cuisine that you find here. You should not miss this traditional food of Kerala which fuses fresh prawns with coconut milk, jaggery, salt, chilli, pepper, and curry leaves. Using coconuts also makes the dish come alive to say the least. It can go well with not just Appam or Idiyappam, but also rice.
6. Naadan Beef Fry (Kerala-Style Beef Fry):
One of the most famous dishes of Kerala, the delicious Naadan beef fry comes alive with the signature flavors of the state through its diverse flavors. Curry leaves, mustard leaves, and ginger garlic paste coat the meat for an unmatched taste.
7. Malabar Parota:
Kerala is also famous for its Parota and you will love this iconic street food dish that comes from the Malabar region. It comes with a unique crumbly and crispy texture that has a melt-in-the-mouth feeling and a sweet yet savory combination. It is one dish that you should not miss for breakfast or dinner.
8. Kerala-Style Fish Moilee:
A traditional food of Kerala that is hard to find anywhere, the signature Fish Moilee is hard to resist! Fresh and tender fish goes through light frying before a stew is made in a charming earthen pot. Kokum and coconut milk come into play along with pepper, turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon, along with green chillies. The tangy and heart-warming taste adds to the deliciousness of the seer or kingfish in the dish.
9. Banana Fritters:
Ethakka Appam or Pazham Pori makes for a delicious snack, particularly at tea time in Kerala. It is as simple as it gets- ripe bananas come with plain flour coating and go through deep-frying in oil to create a tempting mix of flavors.
10. Palada Payasam:
One of Kerala’s most unique desserts, it is a staple during festivals like Onam and other celebratory occasions. The Kheer or rice pudding is popular in almost all local households with the authentic recipe comprising rice ada (available at all local shops), Ghee, milk, and sugar.
11. Sadhya:
Sadhya is a traditional food of Kerala that you should not miss. Authentic and appealing, it is a Thali which has rice and 12-20 items on a fresh and refreshing plantain leaf. It is a must for almost everyone during Onam and the side dishes are known as Kootan. Some other inclusions include Choru or the traditional rice, along with Achar or pickle, and Puli Inji or ginger tamarind paste. Then there are Kayyavarathatu or banana chips, Moru or buttermilk, Pappadam, Pazham or banana, and Parippu (daal and Ghee paste). Do not miss having the authentic and traditional Sadhya, especially during weddings and other special occasions.
12. Thalassery Biryani:
A specialty dish from Kerala’s northernmost town, Thalassery, it is a unique Biryani with an unmatched taste. Biryani rice or Kaima go into the making of this dish along with an innovative masala with various spices and dry nuts. Stuffed meat also comes into play, making for a fabulous meal in Kerala. You can try it during festivals like Eid in the state’s Malabar region and it comes with add-ons like lime pickle (Naranga Achar), curd, and salad.
13. Erissery:
Erissery is one of the traditional items that are a part of the Kootan in Sadhya or Kerala Thalis. It comes with pumpkin and gram and is a stew that uses turmeric, cumin, and other spices. Several vegetables also come into the mix for a delicious lunch or dinner with hot and piping rice.
14. Erachi Varutharacha Curry:
One traditional food of Kerala that you will find hard to resist is Erachi Varutharacha Curry. It uses marinated beef or any other meat which is fried and put into lovely roasted coconut gravy. Chipped coconuts are also a must for the dish and you can savor it with Appam and Puttu.
15. Naadan Kozhi Curry:
This dish does not follow the fry format as seen above. It is a signature chicken (any other meat is usable) curry that blends several fabulous spices and comes with rice, Biryani, Appam, and other accompaniments.
16. Ada Pradhaman:
It is a tempting and sweet dessert that comes with several nuts and spices. It is often known as the king of Kheer in the state of Kerala. The warm and inviting aroma is a major plus, along with the blend of baked rice ada, coconut milk, and jaggery. You will find it at the end of the authentic Sadhya meal as the prime dessert.
17. Chatti Pathiri:
Chatti Pathiri is a pastry with layers, while being similar to the famous Italian item Lasagna. It comes from the Northern Malabar region, while using eggs, flour, oil, and spices like cardamom. Several dry fruits and nuts also come into making this amazing item. You will find several locals consuming it at the end of the fasting period for the Holy month of Ramadan.
18. Kappa and Meen Curry:
Kappa in Malayalam means Tapioca or Cassava. It goes through a regular boiling process to create a smoother texture and you can then have it with fish curry or Meen. You will love the red and spicy curry that also comes with coconut and tamarind for a delicious lunch or dinner.
19. Coconut Toddy:
In terms of beverages, the classic coconut toddy or Kallu offers exotic and unmatched flavors. Tender and refreshing coconuts go into the preparation for the dish, which is either sweet or slightly sour. The former is tasty and the latter goes through a fermenting process for slight alcoholic content. You will find this dish a little similar to bhang in Northern India. Locals usually use palm jaggery, vinegar, and yeast to prepare the dish. Another fun experience is watching them extract toddy from the coconut tree with a unique process!
20. Thattu Dosa and Chutney-
Kerala loves its street food and one of the biggest specialties is Thattu dosa. The batter uses Urad Daal and rice and the mixture goes through overnight fermenting for a unique taste. Preparation for the dosa begins the next day on a non-stick and flat pan such as a crepe and it is served absolutely hot with multiple varieties of sambar and chutney.
21. Banana Halwa:
If you love your Halwa, do not miss trying this traditional food of Kerala. It uses ingredients like dry fruits, cardamom, sugar, and Ghee to create a smooth yet thick consistency, almost like a paste. It is a dessert that will melt wonderfully in your mouth!
22. Parippu Curry:
When it comes to Parippu Curry, it is a treat that will stimulate your taste buds instantly. It is a simple Daal curry that uses Ghee and smaller gram along with chillies and spices. This dish is quite different from the regular Daal that you have with rice. Try it for a lip-smacking lunch or dinner in Kerala.
23. Dosa Ghee Roast and Kerala-Style Sambar:
Kerala is famous for its dosas and one of the preparations that you should try is the Ghee roast that comes with delicious Sambar for a burst of flavors. The former is made of fermented rice with lentils before going through an extensive frying process in Ghee. Roasting then takes place until it turns crispy and delicious.
24. Idli and Sambar:
A classic traditional food of Kerala, this combination is absolutely un-missable, to say the least! You can have it for breakfast and also as an appetizing snack or lunch item. You will love the fermented rice cakes with their signature flavor along with the tangy Sambar that often contains lentils and other vegetables along with a heady fusion of spices. It is also a light and healthy item that comes with coconut chutney for an unmatched experience!
25. Karimeen Pollichathu:
Local traditions are still relevant in Kerala and one of the examples of it is the iconic Karimeen Pollichathu. This dish uses the speckled and popular Pearl Spot fish that is abundant in the beautiful Kumarakom and Alleppey backwaters.
Originally a delicacy with Syrian Christian influences, it is now a mainstream addition to the daily palate of the state. The fish goes through an extensive marination procedure with red chillies, lemon juice, and many other spices and unique ingredients. After wrapping it in a plantain leaf, it goes through a lovely baking process which creates a fabulous mix of flavors. There are several eateries and restaurants in Kerala that serve this hugely popular dish.
26. Kallumakkaya Ularthiyathu:
Kallumakkaya Ularthiyathu is a wonderful dish that uses mussels that go through an intensive cleaning process before blending with garlic, shallots, turmeric, garam masala, chillies, and grated coconuts. The cooking process is unique to the state and requires sizable effort and time. This is one seafood preparation that is finger-licking good!
27. Uttapam:
It is a classic South Indian dish that is also quite popular in Kerala. This pancake is thick and savory, using lentils and rice along with toppings of vegetables, herbs, etc. There are several flavors ranging from Ragi to Tomato Uttapam that you can try. It is a filling breakfast or lunch dish worth trying.
Read Also: Traditional Food of Gujarat
Enjoy the Traditional Food of Kerala on Your Next Visit
You will find authentic traditional food of Kerala widely available across eateries, restaurants, and local street food outlets when you visit the state. Do not miss the above items on your next visit. In fact, some Kerala delights are also available in several other parts of the country, especially in Southern India. The cuisine of the state offers a mix of innovative flavors and ingredients that makes it irresistible!
