Kochi, a city nestled on the southwestern coast of India, boasts a culinary tapestry rich in diversity and flavour. The food of the city is a kaleidoscope of its history and influenced by its location on the coast. Over the years the city has seen Dutch, Portuguese and other European influences. It also had a thriving Jewish community, which helped shape its unique culinary identity.
Being a coastal city, seafood and coconuts are at the core of many Kochi dishes. And since Kerala is a land rich in spices, ingredients like pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and more always find their way onto the traditional plate.
In the labyrinthine lanes of Fort Kochi, street food vendors dish out local delicacies, inviting passersby to indulge in the uncomplicated joys of Malabar Parottas and spicy Frys. As you navigate the culinary landscape of Kochi, you'll discover a simplicity that belies the depth of its flavours, a testament to the city's warm embrace of tradition and the artistry of its culinary craftsmen.
Video Credits: Authentic Kerala/YouTube
Here are 10 foods you need to try when you’re in Kochi.
1. Appam and Stew:
The go-to comfort food for every Kerala native this rich vegetable stew served with crispy, delicate appams is the classic breakfast dish and is a must-have for any special occasion with many people enjoying it on Easter and Christmas mornings. It can be made with chicken or as a vegetarian dish with a coconut milk base and a light, comforting flavour.
2. Fish Molly (Fish Molee):
According to legend, the traditional Kerala curries were too spicy for the Portuguese settlers and a lady called Molly toned down the spice by adding coconut milk and replacing the red chillies with green chillies giving this dish its name. It’s a popular curry that celebrates Kerala’s rich seafood in a spiced and delicious gravy
3. Meen Peera:
Another speciality from Kerala’s seafood treasure trove, this dish usually features small fish like anchovies which have very thin and edible bones. They are prepared and then made into a stir fry with grated coconut, shallots, garlic, ginger, kokum, chillies, curry leaves and a selection of spices. These are ground into a coarse mixture and fried along with the fish for a textured and flavourful dish.
4. Kadala Puttu:
Another staple comfort food and savoy breakfast favourite is Kadala Puttu. A rich curry made from black chickpeas along with a cylinder of compressed and steamed, coconut-infused rice or rice flour. The combination is hearty and satisfying and one of the most beloved dishes for people around Kochi
5. Kappa Boti:
Tapioca (or kappa) is a common ingredient in Kerala cuisine. This recipe which is native to Thrissur is a delectable combination of mashed tapioca along boti which is made from goat offal. Though it may seem like a daunting combination to the uninitiated, locals swear by this dish and you’re likely to find some at most of the restaurants in the city.
6. Kulukki Sarbath:
Every city has its go-to summer refreshers and for Kochi, it’s Kulukki Sarbath, this lemonade with a twist is a sweet tangy concoction that is the perfect antidote to the tropical heat made with freshly squeezed lemons and khus khus (poppy) seeds which are vigorously shaken up which gives the drink its name, since “kulukki” means “shaking” in Malayalam .
7. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu:
A street food favourite, this simple chicken fry with dried red chillies, garlic, ginger and local vinegar is one of the most popular finger foods and for obvious reasons. It can be served as a snack or a side dish to a main meal or – as its most loved – a drinking snack at the famous toddy shops.
8. Parippu:
After all these rich dishes, if you’re looking for something that’s just as delicious but lighter on the stomach then this homely dish is an essential. Simple and healthy, boiled gram is served with a touch of ghee and spices and is eaten alongside plain rice for a nourishing meal or side.
9. Breudher:
A remnant of Kochi’s Dutch past this sweet, buttery bread is named after the Dutch word for bread (broodje). More than a bread, its texture resembles a plum cake and though the base ingredients are flour, eggs, butter, yeast and raisins, different areas and bakeries put their own spin on it in the form of candied orange peels or spices.
10. Pothi Cake:
This Kerala-style milk cake is a childhood favourite for many in Kochi. Buttery and rich oit can be made plain or with raisins. Large slabs of cake are cut into rectangular slices and bundled into parcels (or ‘Pothis”) for people to take home. It’s a beloved treat both for breakfast and alongside a cup of afternoon tea.