The cuisine of Kerala is characterized by the use of coconut, either chopped or grated and used as garnishing, coconut milk or paste is used to thicken gravies and coconut oil is used for cooking. Though one can’t imagine Kerala food without chilies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafetida. Seafood is very popular in Kerala and consumed with every meal. Various fish including sardines, mackerel, tuna, rays and shark are eaten, as are crabs, mussels and oysters. “Karimeen” or fried fish is a popular dish as is fish curry called “Fish Moilee.” Enjoy tasting the delicious cuisine of Kerala while cruising through Kochi Backwaters.

1. Kerala Prawn Curry

It’s amazing to see how simple ingredients come together to make a lovely dish. The traditional prawn curry is sprinkled with chilli, salt, pepper and then dipped in a whole lot of coconut milk, jaggery and finally finished with curry leaves.

2. Dosa Ghee Roast with Kerala Style Sambar

Dosa is listed among ‘World’s 50 most delicious foods’ and for good reason. Made from fermented rice and lentils, the ghee roast dosa is cooked in pure ghee and roasted till it gets as crisp as it can.

3. Kerala style Fish Molee/Moly

Kerala style Fish Molee/Moly – Don’t mistake this for just another fish curry because it’s absolutely sensational. The flavour of coconut and cocoum also known as kudampuli take this dish to a whole new level.

4. Puttu and Kadala Curry

Puttu and Kadala Curry – Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake cooked with coconut shavings and is an extremely popular breakfast dish, not just in Kannur but through other parts of Kerala as well. It’s usually served with kadala curry (black chickpeas/kala chana) but can also be relished with ripe bananas and grated coconut. (Recipe: Puttu andKadala Curry by Niru Gupta)

Appam with Stew – Honestly, appam is a revolutionary food. Not once did I devoid myself of the pleasure of its company. It’s got a soft and thick center and a paper thin outside. It’s essentially a rice pancake which you can pair with almost anything and it will still steal the spotlight. In a typical Southern stew you’ll find chunks of chicken or meat bathed in a beautifully spiced and dreamy coconut gravy.

5. Chocolate filled samosas in Mango sauce

Malabar Junction, the in-house restaurant of Malabar House hotel, raises the bar on gourmet Kerala cuisine with its incredible seafood dishes and a historic ambience. Though the place does an excellent Mahi Mahi fillet and pastas, you should definitely try their Chocolate filled samosas topped with sweet mango sauce. This decadent dessert is their signature dish and for good reason.