Kerala earns its nickname Gods Own Country not just for its landscapes but for its extraordinary cuisine. Rooted in centuries of spice trade history, the food here is aromatic, coconut-rich, and deeply satisfying.
The Sadya Experience
No visit to Kerala is complete without a traditional Sadya, a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf during festivals like Onam. Expect 24 to 28 dishes including sambar, avial, thoran, olan, and payasam.
Must-Try Dishes
- Karimeen Pollichathu: Pearl-spot fish marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaf, and pan-roasted. Best enjoyed beside the backwaters of Alleppey.
- Puttu and Kadala Curry: Steamed rice cylinders with black chickpea curry, the quintessential Kerala breakfast.
- Appam and Stew: Lacy rice hoppers paired with a mild coconut-milk stew of vegetables or chicken.
- Kerala Prawn Moilee: Plump prawns in a delicate yellow coconut-milk gravy.
Where to Eat
Head to toddy shops in backwater villages for the most authentic food at rock-bottom prices. In Kochi, the Fort Kochi area has excellent fusion restaurants alongside traditional mess-style eateries.