Kochi – an eclectic city which includes an equal mix of small-scale eateries and elaborate restaurants, is a hub for some of the most delicious Kerala-style meals. The quintessential breakfast staple of puttu – a coarse textured steamed rice cake – is also eaten with densely meaty curries for meals that promise to be nothing short of an experience. Most interestingly, the puttu kadas or puttu shops become an extension of the local way of life, reflecting the flavours of a traditional Kerala kitchen. Laced with coconut and typically eaten in a savoury manner, the versatile puttu is also relished with mashed bananas and a sprinkling of sugar for a light, mid-day snack.
We’ve rounded up a list of places, with a little help from foodies who know the city, to have you find yourself the best puttu kada experience; and for a quick bite, of course!
Kumbalam Shibu’s Puttu Kada – Recommended by Suhail Muhammed (@travelstoriesbysuhail)
For an authentic, hole-in-the-wall puttu shop experience, Suhail endorses the popular Shibu’s Puttu Kada located in Kumbalam. Known for serving up freshly steamed puttu cylinders with a variety of curries – chicken, mutton and red meat – Suhail recommends pairing your puttu with one of these for a delicious meal. His personal favourite? A serving of puttu with fiery red meat curry!
Phone Number: 9847090859
Address: Boat Jetty Road, Kumbalam, Ernakulam, Thevera, Kochi
Timings: Daily, 6pm-2am
Cost for two: ₹500
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Dinner
Puttopia – Recommended by Vyshakh Maliyekkal (@vaishakhmaliyekkal)
Unlike most other puttu kadas around Kochi, Puttopia specialises in set meals surrounding the steamed staple. Think soft, pillowy puttus served with a slow-cooked, flavoursome chicken curry, chicken fry, sliced onions and pappadum. Looking for something lighter as an option? Vyshakh recommends ordering their idiyappam with chicken curry. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.
Phone Number: 9544701230
Address: 4, Palakkal Square, opp. First Class Magistrate Court, Changampuzha Nagar, South Kalamassery, PO, Kochi
Timings: Daily, 12:30pm-3am
Cost for two: ₹500
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Puttu Kada – Recommended by Aakash Kumar (@ak_foodvlogs_)
With a straightforward name for the establishment, Puttu Kada is famed for its all non-vegetarian fare. Cooked in small batches, the eatery not only serves the usual suspects of chicken, mutton and red meat curries to enjoy along with puttus, but also offers its diners unusual options like duck and rabbit. Aakash recommends visiting with a voracious appetite in order to relish not just their puttu-curries but also to ensure that you don’t leave without sampling their porotta and red meat curry.
Phone Number: 9846055505
Address: Pandit Karuppan Road, Thevera, Kochi
Timings: Daily, 11am-11pm
Cost for two: ₹400
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Georgettan’s Puttu Kada – Recommended by @delicious_kerala
A matchbox-sized eatery run by the owner George – who cooks the day’s specials himself – this puttu kada offers up a red meat stew like none other. Cooked in a mellow coconut milk base, along with a medley of carrots, peas and meat, the puttu-stew is a delicious combination to relish for a light supper or for dinner. Like most other puttu kadas which operate only for one part of the day, Georgettan’s kada also includes a unique offering of goat offal curry to enjoy with the cylindrical rice cakes – a special that is lapped up by the locals.
Phone Number: 9495725419
Address: Kotheri Rd, Vaduthala, Kochi, Ernakulam
Timings: Daily, 5pm-8:30pm
Cost for two: ₹300
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Dinner
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Achuikkante Kada – Recommended by Rohith Chandu (@humblemalayalii)
Image Credits: Dakshas Gourmet Catering
For late night puttu cravings, Rohith suggests making a beeline for this non-descript shop run by an old couple – who are known for cooking and serving up home-style puttu with red meat curry. Meant to be eaten like any other late night snack, standing on the sidelines and getting your hands dirty, other offerings at this shop include freshly fried batches of pazhampori and savala vadas – perfect for when you’re getting home after a long night of revelry!
Address: Karuvelipady, Polakkandam Market, Thoppumpady, Kochi
Timings: Daily, 1:30am-7am
Cost for two: ₹400
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Dinner, Snacks
Chechimarude Kada – Recommended by @keralafoodie
An eatery run by an all-women staff, Chechimarude Kada specialises in fresh, home-cooked meals of meen moilee, pork and red meat curries, stews and more. Opt to eat these delicious preparations with the classic Kerala matta rice, puttu or even flaky-crisp porottas. The sharing portions – ideal to share with a group of friends or family, the food vlogger recommends getting there early to combat their minimum 20-minute wait time. Wash it all down with what is known to be an excellent glass of freshly squeezed grape juice, for the ultimate local meal experience!
Phone Number: 7034583530
Address: ERRA-137, Customs Colony, Chakkalakkal, Palarivattom, Kochi, Ernakulam
Timings: Daily, 12pm-3:30pm
Cost for two: ₹400
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Lunch
Balan Chettande Kada – Recommended by Ashwin (@gastronomist_md)
Open from 4 am onwards, the 22-year old establishment run by Balan is a go-to spot for fall-off-the-bone mutton curry and puttu. Ashwin also recommends pairing the slow-cooked curry with a ney pathiri or two for an elevated dining experience. What’s also unique about this puttu shop is the shape of the porottas – typically rolled out in a circular shape, but made into square flatbreads here. Enjoy your meal and follow it up with a steaming cup of black tea, as the perfect conclusion to this heavy meal.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BZkCvcxwxziyLD5Y9
Phone Number: 9995146235
Address: X773+38P, Pullupalam Rd, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002
Timings: Daily, 4am-9pm
Cost for two: ₹400
Type: Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner