top 10 authentic Kerala cuisines that you must try when in Kerala
Jan 2023

Top 10 Authentic Kerala Cuisines You Must Try: A Foodie's Guide to the Land of Spices

Kerala - the land of spices, is well known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. From sweet and spicy dishes to traditional thalis, it has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore the local flavors or a traveler looking to experience the culture of Kerala, this guide to the top 10 authentic Kerala dishes is just what you need. From the classic fish curry to the traditional appam, these dishes will tantalize your taste buds and give you a true taste of Kerala. Make sure to try the iconic Kerala beef fry or the famed Kerala parotta along with some sumptuous payasam for a truly traditional experience. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 authentic Kerala cuisines that you must try.

Kerala Fish Curry

The staple of Kerala fish curries is a staple in any restaurant or home in Kerala. The fish curries are delicious and their spiciness can be adjusted as per your taste. The curries can be made with any type of fish, depending on availability and price. The fish is marinated with a mixture of coconut, onion, garlic, chili, pepper, ginger, and turmeric. This unique combination of ingredients makes the fish curry a treat for the taste buds. It is a perfect appetizer for any meal or can be served as a main dish along with rice or roti. A Kerala fish curry can be made in two ways – with coconut milk or as a dry fish curry. The dry fish curry is a mix of spices, coconut, chili, and fish pieces. The coconut milk version is a little sweeter with a lot of coconut flavor. The Kerala fish curry is best accompanied with a Kerala Parotta or Kerala appam.


Appam

Appam is a classic Kerala breakfast item that is made with fermented rice batter or semolina. The batter is made with ingredients like rice or semolina, coconut milk, cardamom, ghee, and sugar. This batter is poured in a pan and baked in a tava (a giant skillet). It is then topped with coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, raisins, and other nuts. The sweet and spicy flavors of the appam are a treat to your taste buds. It is usually served with a fish curry or egg curry. The appam is best eaten with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also try Mappila appam, a special type of appam served with a special curd/yogurt made with roasted dal.


Beef Fry

Beef fry is a delicacy of Kerala cuisine. The famous Kerala beef fry is made with the meat of the steer. The meat is marinated with aromatic spices like red chili powder, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper, and vinegar. It is then cooked in a coconut-based gravy with a spicy flavor. The Kerala beef fry is served with Kerala parotta or Kerala appam. It is best eaten during the monsoon season, when the fresh and juicy meat is available. Beef fry is not only a mouth-watering dish but also has medicinal properties. It is perfect for a heavy meal as it is rich in proteins. It is also one as the authentic Kerala cuisines you must try.


Parotta

Parotta is one of the most famous Kerala dishes. Made of all-purpose flour, ghee, and eggs, it is served with a variety of curries. A parotta is a type of Indian flatbread and is very similar to a roti. The Kerala parotta is a popular breakfast item and is often eaten with fish curry, egg curry, or beef fry. It is also served as an evening snack with a cup of hot coffee. The Kerala parotta can be served plain or with a variety of toppings, such as potato, onion, or peanut. The parotta can be made in many ways, but the authentic Kerala parotta is made with toddy or fermented sap from palm trees. It is best served fresh and hot. If you’re visiting Kerala, you must try the authentic Kerala parotta for a true Kerala experience.


Payasam

Payasam is a traditional Kerala dessert made with sweet ingredients like rice, milk, jaggery, and coconut. You can also make a savory payasam by replacing the jaggery with sugar and adding vegetables like carrot or peas. The sweet payasam is topped with fresh fruits such as coconut, jackfruit, or banana. It is served hot in a clay pot called “kudam”. The payasam is one of the most popular Kerala desserts and is eaten during special occasions like Onam or celebrations like wedding. The payasam can be made in many ways, but the authentic Kerala payasam is made by cooking rice, milk, and jaggery together in a heavy bottomed vessel called “payasam kadai.” You can also try a healthy version of the payasam by replacing the jaggery with date palm jaggery or muscovado sugar.


Puttu

Another Kerala dish that you must try is puttu. It is a steamed dish made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee. It is a traditional breakfast item served with kadala, or Kerala Gram Dal, and Pal Payar, a Kerala Sambar. You can also try many creative versions of puttu like banana, chocolate, or ginger puttu. Puttu is a delicious dish that can be eaten by everyone. It is best served with a cup of coffee or tea. If you are travelling to Kerala, make sure to try the authentic puttu. You can also try Puttu with various things in it like banana, chocolate, or ginger puttu.


Sadya

A traditional Kerala meal that you must try is Sadya. It is served on a banana leaf and is a complete meal. Sadya is a mix of Kerala appams, Kerala parottas, vegetables, curries, pickles, payasam, and more. It is served with a variety of chutneys and sambar. The sadya has a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It is usually served during festivals and special occasions. The sadya is best enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee or tea. You can also try the sadya with different kinds of vegetables and curries. You can also make sadya at home with some creative additions. If you are travelling to Kerala, you must try the authentic sadya for a true Kerala experience.


Avial

Avial is a traditional Kerala dish made with mixed vegetables. It is made with a mix of vegetables like pumpkin, eggplant, green beans, okra, and more. The vegetables are cooked with coconut, spices, and a dash of cumin. It is usually served with Kerala parotta or Kerala appam. You can also try the avial with rice or roti. The avial is a popular dish in Kerala and is best served when the vegetables are in season. The authentic avial should be made with fresh and seasonal vegetables. Make sure to try the authentic avial when you visit Kerala.


Dosa

Dosa is a classic south Indian dish made with fermented rice and urad dal batter. It is served with a variety of chutneys and sambar. The dosa is best eaten with the traditional uthappam, a combination of uthappam and dosa. The dosa is a popular breakfast item that can also be eaten with a variety of toppings like potato, egg, or vegetables. You can also try the dosa with a variety of chutneys and uthappam. If you are travelling to Kerala, you must try the authentic dosa.


Kerala is a land of many spices and flavors. It is famous for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. From sweet and spicy dishes to traditional thalis, it has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore the local flavors or a traveler looking to experience the culture of Kerala, this guide to the top 10 authentic Kerala cuisines is just what you need. From the classic fish curry to the traditional appam, these dishes will tantalize your taste buds and give you a true taste of Kerala. Make sure to try the iconic Kerala beef fry or the famed Kerala parotta along with some sumptuous payasam for a truly traditional experience. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 authentic Kerala cuisines that you must try.


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