Kochi, located in Kerala, India, boasts a rich culinary heritage that offers a plethora of delectable dishes. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 must-try foods in Kochi, complete with detailed descriptions to guide new tourists and city visitors:
- Appam with Stew
- Description: Appam is a soft and fluffy rice pancake with a crispy edge, made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk. It’s typically paired with a flavorful stew, which can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The stew is a mild, aromatic curry cooked with coconut milk, featuring ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and beans for the vegetarian version, or chicken/mutton for the non-vegetarian variant.
- Where to Try: Many local eateries in Kochi serve this dish, especially during breakfast hours.
- Puttu and Kadala Curry
- Description: Puttu is a steamed cylindrical rice cake layered with grated coconut, often considered a staple breakfast item in Kerala. It’s commonly served with Kadala Curry, a spicy black chickpea curry cooked with roasted coconut, onions, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices.
- Where to Try: Local breakfast joints and traditional Kerala restaurants in Kochi.
- Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot Fish)
- Description: A signature dish of Kerala, Karimeen Pollichathu features the Pearl Spot fish marinated with a blend of spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled to perfection. This method imparts a unique flavor and aroma to the fish.
- Where to Try: Seafood restaurants in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry areas.
- Thalassery Biryani
- Description: Originating from the Malabar region, Thalassery Biryani is a fragrant rice dish made with a special variety of rice called Jeerakasala, succulent pieces of meat (commonly chicken or mutton), and a blend of spices. It’s distinguished by its unique preparation method and the absence of heavy masalas.
- Where to Try: Renowned biryani outlets in Kochi.
- Meen Moilee (Fish Molee)
- Description: Meen Moilee is a mild, flavorful fish curry cooked in coconut milk with minimal spices. The dish typically features seer fish or kingfish, simmered with green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves, resulting in a delicate and aromatic curry.
- Where to Try: Coastal restaurants and traditional eateries in Kochi.
- Beef Fry (Kerala Style)
- Description: A popular dish in Kerala, Beef Fry consists of tender beef pieces marinated with spices and fried with coconut slices, curry leaves, and green chilies. It’s often enjoyed with parotta or rice.
- Where to Try: Local toddy shops and traditional restaurants in Kochi.
- Kappa and Meen Curry (Tapioca with Fish Curry)
- Description: Kappa refers to boiled tapioca, a staple in Kerala’s cuisine. It’s typically paired with a spicy and tangy fish curry, usually made with sardines or mackerel, cooked in a red chili and tamarind-based gravy.
- Where to Try: Traditional Kerala restaurants and local eateries in Kochi.
- Dosa with Sambar and Chutney
- Description: Dosa is a crispy, thin pancake made from fermented rice and urad dal batter. It’s commonly served with sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew) and coconut chutney. Variations include Masala Dosa, which is stuffed with a spiced potato filling.
- Where to Try: Popular vegetarian restaurants and street food stalls in Kochi.
- Idiyappam with Egg Curry
- Description: Also known as string hoppers, Idiyappam is made from rice flour dough pressed into noodle form and steamed. It’s often paired with a spicy egg curry, where boiled eggs are simmered in a tomato-onion gravy infused with spices.
- Where to Try: Breakfast spots and traditional eateries in Kochi.
- Pazham Pori (Banana Fritters)
- Description: A popular snack in Kerala, Pazham Pori consists of ripe plantain slices dipped in a sweetened flour batter and deep-fried until golden brown. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a delightful tea-time treat.
- Where to Try: Tea stalls and street vendors across Kochi.
These dishes offer a glimpse into Kochi’s rich culinary landscape, ensuring that visitors experience the authentic flavors of the region.