If you’ve never tried Kerala-style fish fry, you should know that it’s well worth the hype. In Kochi, which is a seafood lover’s paradise, you’ll find a balance of seafood delicacies and terrific backwater fish delicacies. Some of the most popular varieties of fish like seer, snapper or ‘karimeen’ are backwater fish; Tuna (chooora), pomphret (aavoli), sardine (mathi), mackerel (Ayala) and belt fish (vaala) also boast a remarkable flavour and are popular in most seafood joints around Kochi.
Most versions of classic Kerala fish fry are made with red snapper, which is firm but flaky and varies between lean and fatty varieties. It works best for the Kerala-style fry preparation as it releases natural oils which enhances the taste of the fry. The Kerala-style fry recipe is essentially different from most homegrown fish fry recipes because it has a solid focus on marination. The fish is typically marinated in a mixture of red chilli powder, turmeric, black pepper, ginger, garlic, and sometimes vinegar or lemon juice, to enhance its flavour.
Some restaurants use a coating of ground coconut to cover the fish before it is fried, while some tawa-fried versions retain the smoky pan sauce. In case you’re headed to Kochi and want to sample some stellar Kerala-style fish fry in Kochi, here are some recommendations by locals
The Machli restaurant, Kaloor - Recommended By @foodhunter_sabu
If you want the authentic taste of the fiery, pan-fried red snapper, The Machli restaurant is your best bet. Their signature item The Machli Fry, which is a tawa-fried snapper made with spicy Kerala masalas. The best part? They serve it on your plate directly from a sizzling pan! Many of the seafood dishes are made with green chillies and topped with curry leaves. Their Ayala curry or mackerel curry is also sought-after and is made with a full-sized mackerel. Pair the spicy seafood fry with some wheat puttu or some white rice
Phone Number: 098954 51000
USP Dishes: Thala Curry, Machli Fry
Address: Thammanam - Pullepady Rd, Kathrikadavu, Kaloor, Ernakulam, Kerala 682017
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm
Cost for two: ₹500
Available Cuisines: Kerala, Mangalorean, Seafood
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Chalakada, Marine Drive - Recommended By @foodhunter_sabu
For the past four decades, this low-key eatery located near the High Court has been consistently offering home-style meals, and their hot-seller is the delectably crispy preparation of chaala or sardine fry. Expect a charred, crispy sardine with a spicy profile, typical of Kerala-style seafood and a lovely smokiness. Their line-up is reasonably priced and they also serve some amazing breakfast options.
Phone Number: 919447795271
USP Dishes: Sardone fry, puttu
Address: 68/180, Mm Rd, Marine Drive, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682026
Timings: 24 hrs
Cost for two: ₹500
Available Cuisines: Kerala, Seafood, Breakfast
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tawa Thea Restocafe, Kakkanad - Recommended By @trivandrum_bellys_
The casual dining outlet has some of the most lip-smacking seafood and non-vegetarian options, that too at great rates. Their Thea Speacil section has some terrific seafood, from the Fish Curry Paalkappa to Koonthal Ghee Roast. Try their Fish Kanthari Tawa Fry which has a glazed, saucy texture and a spice-forward profile. Their Kerala-style Ayala fry and crispy Mathi fry are irresistible. Also don’t miss out on their mutton roast which has a delicious, savoury gravy
Phone Number: 080755 46819
USP Dishes: Fish kanthari tawa fry, koonthal ghee roast
Address: Tawa thea restocafe, near heinz motors, Kusumagiri, kakkanad, Kakkanad, Kerala 682030
Timings: 7 am to 1 am
Cost for two: ₹1000
Available Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Fast Food
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arabikkadal, Cheranelloor - Recommended By @foodntraveltv
At Arabikkadal, you can find a Kingfish mori mori at under Rs 200 and Varaal fry at under Rs 150! One of their biggest sellers is the seer fish fry that’s made in a Kerala-style recipe with a slight twist. It’s covered with ground coconut and then deep-fried. You’ll also find crispy fried versions of anchovy and clam fry. Their sea bass and red snapper fry are their most popular sellers, however, their prawn delicacies also have many takers.
USP Dishes: Fish peera, prawn roast, crispy neymeen
Address: 3/578 F, Thykkavu, Kalamassery, Kochi
Timings: 7am – 10:30am, 12:30pm – 3pm
Cost for two: Rs 400
Available Cuisines: Seafood, Biryani
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ila Oonu, Kadavanthra - Recommended By @foodntraveltv
This small eatery near Gandhinagar has some of the most surprising offerings and they have full meals at just Rs 70 which has no less than six curries! They are known for their Chemballi fry, which is a Kerala-style fish fry made with well-seasoned red snapper. You can also sample some squid, fish roe and their prawn roast. They have minimal seating so you may have to wait till you can find a table during lunch rush.
USP Dishes: Chembally fry, prawn roast
Address: G.C.D.A Warehousing Complex, 38/735, Market Rd, Tagore Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Kadavanthra, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682020
Timings: 10:30 am to 3:45 pm
Cost for two: Rs 200
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Darbar Seafood Restaurant, Kakkanad - Recommended By @trivandrum_bellys_
Darbar’s grilled fish curries and seafood BBQs are impressive and the rates too are decent. The joint offers traditional Kerala cuisine and their Darbar special section has a number of tawa fry specialities, including Kalanji, vattoor, Avolli, Neymeen and more. You also get a crispier, non-tawa fry priced at just Rs 80! Don’t miss out on their Alleppey fish curry and Fish Chettinad which are delicious and hearty. Pair them with some fluffy appam
Phone: +918089883266
USP Dishes: Fish tawa fry, Avoli fry
Address: 24/2149, Civil Station Road, Opposite Indus Motors Service Centre, Kakkanad, Kochi
Timings: 12 noon to 12 am
Cost for two: Rs 600
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karthiyayini, Maradu - Recommended By @BoomBaangh
Karthiyayini’s special red snapper fry is a total winner; sizzled on a pan with aromatic and fiery Kerala spices, their Kerala-style fish fry is served on fresh banana leaves. For the most authentic experience, order a standard thali with neymeen and prawn roasts on the side, or maybe some fresh Koonthal Kaanthari, which is one of their best-sellers. Their anchovy fry is crispy fried in coconut oil, as is their Neymeen pollichathu or seer fish. You can also opt for a Kerala Traditional Lunch Meal for the table and pair it with seafood signatures
Phone: +918089883266
USP Dishes: Prawn roast, Kerala-style lunch meals
Address: 14/407, Kundannoor - Willingdon Island Rd, adjacent Spice Coast Harley Davidson, Vikas Nagar, Maradu, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682304
Timings: 11:30 am to 3:30 pm
Cost for two: Rs 800
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cheenavala, Edapally - Recommended By @kishorevlogs
If you're looking for a casual dining experience with a focus on diverse seafood preparations, Cheenavala fits the bill perfectly. This family-friendly restaurant caters to a wide range of tastes, offering everything from spicy tawa fry to mild coconut-based curries. The Prawns Fry and the Crab and Kappa Roll are crowd-pleasers. Their Karimeen Pollichathu and tawa fry are unmissable; though their rates are higher than most mid-range seafood places, the contemporary line-up is a big USP
Phone: 0484 280 3456
USP Dishes: Prawn fry, crab roll
Address: Ground Floor Pushpamangalam, Service Rd, Near Bhima Jewellery, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala 682024
Timings: 12 noon to 4 pm; 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Cost for two: Rs 1200
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Salt, Thopumpady - Recommended By @peoplestraveller
A local favourite known for its homely ambience and authentic coastal fare, The Salt’s menu is truly versatile. Their Oriental crab and prawn delicacies are big sellers but their fish fry and grilled black snapper are some of the best things on their menu; seasoned with local ingredients and char-grilled to perfection, the dish comes with two full-sized pieces of fish along with a side of veggies. Also, try their Prawn Roast and Kadai Prawns which are the perfect appetisers!
Phone: 085905 27004
USP Dishes: Kadai prawns, Grilled fish
Address: 16/1444, Thoppumpady, Kochi, Kerala 682005
Timings: 12 noon to 11 pm
Cost for two: Rs 1500
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tasty Spot, Muppathadom - Recommended By @foodhunter_sabu
Though this spot is best known for its shawai, but recently took Instagram by storm when they gave a glimpse into their char-grilled piranha fish al faham. The restaurant serves some terrific Middle-eatern delicacies and at great prices too. You can also find a Kerala-style grilled piranha at just Rs 359. Their prices are reasonable and it’s one of the few spots in Kochi which offers ample parking space.
Phone: 085929 26223
USP Dishes: Grilled fish, shawai
Address: 38P7+6GR, Muppathadam Rd, Muppathadom, Edayar, Aluva, Kerala 683110
Timings: 10 am to 11:30 pm
Cost for two: Rs 800
Available Cuisines: Seafood, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner