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Kochi or Cochin is also known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, situated on the southwest coast of Kerala. It is a perfect tourist destination and a prominent commercial hub known for its natural beauty, technoparks, cultural heritage, spice plantations, hill stations, serene beaches, and iconic cuisines. While exploring the best food in Kochi, you can taste delicious seafood, traditional dishes like sadya, and mouthwatering street foods, which makes this city a gastronomic paradise. The streets of Kochi narrate the tale of South Indian foods and their aromatic flavours.
10 Best Food in Kochi
From delving into the taste of Appam and Stew to the Buttery Bread Sweet, here is a list of the best food in Kochi.
1. Appam And Stew
Photo: Sudiptorana / Wikimedia Commons
Appam and Stew are the top delicious foods served in Kochi. Appam is a rice and coconut milk pancake that is fermented to give it a unique taste. It was made as an offering to the Gods in Hindu temples, later, it became the staple food of Kerala. Stew, also known as ‘istew’, incorporates Indian spices and ingredients, such as coconut milk and chillies. The pairing of both is a classic Kochi combination, often served in restaurants and homes throughout the city.
Best Restaurant: Arripa Restaurant, Palarivattom
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kochi At Night
2. Fish Molly (Moliee)
Photo: Drsoumyadeepb / Wikimedia Commons
Fish Molly is a beloved and iconic dish in Kochi. The dish was inspired by the Portuguese fish stew, ‘Caldeirada’, which added Indian spices, tamarind, and coconut milk. This dish is a flavorful stew made with fish (commonly kingfish or tilapia), giving its unique flavour and aroma. This dish gained popularity in local restaurants and hotels with its rich history and cultural significance making it the best food to eat in Kochi.
Best Restaurant: Karthiyayini
3. Meen Peera
Photo: Kalakki / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Meen Peera is a signature Kochi dish inspired by Arabian and European influences. ‘Meen’ means fish in Malayalam, and ‘Peera’ means scrambled mashed. The dish is made with fish (usually sardines or anchovies), chillies, garlic, ginger, tamarind, and spices, all perfectly blended to create a delicious and spicy paste. The Syrian Christian community introduced the use of coconut oil and curry leaves, enhancing the flavour and aroma of the dish. Meen Peera, an iconic dish in Kochi, is meant to captivate your hearts and taste buds with its unique culinary delights.
Best Restaurant: Fish Harbour
Suggested Read: Water Sports In Kochi
4. Puttu Kadala
Photo: Jackson John 10 / Wikimedia Commons
Puttu Kadala, a famous breakfast food in Kochi, blends the culinary traditions of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and the country of Sri Lanka. ‘Puttu’ means steamed cake in Malayalam, and ‘Kadala’ means chickpea. The dish consists of steamed rice flour cakes served with a spicy chickpea curry, coconut milk, and spices. The Syrian Christian community introduced the addition of garlic, ginger, and curry leaves, enhancing the flavour and aroma of the dish. This dish became a staple breakfast in Kochi, often served with pappadam, a thin flatbread, and banana slices.
Best Restaurant: Dhe Puttu
5. Kappa Botti
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Kappa Botti is a beloved dish that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors. The food was influenced by the culinary traditions of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and the country of Sri Lanka. ‘Kappa’ means tapioca in Malayalam, and ‘Botti’ means meat. The dish is made of boiled tapioca and served with a spicy meat stew, usually made with beef or pork, and a blend of spices. The Syrian Christian community introduced the addition of coconut milk, curry leaves, and mustard seeds, enhancing the flavour and aroma of the dish.
Best Restaurant: Cassava
Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Kochi
6. Kulukki Sarbath
Photo: Mariel Matute / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Kulukki Sarbath is a refreshing summer drink. ‘Kulukki’ means shaken or stirred in Malayalam, and ‘Sarbath’ means drink. The drink is made with a mixture of lemon juice, ginger juice, green chilli, salt, and sugar, shaken or stirred with water and ice. The drink became a popular refreshment among the traders and locals, especially during the summer days. It became a staple drink in Kochi, often served with added chia seeds at street stalls, markets, and restaurants. This drink is the best street food in Kochi thanks to its amazing flavour and revitalising properties.
Best Restaurant: Kulukki Thakka
7. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu
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Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu is a signature chicken dish in Kochi. ‘Nadan’ means country or rustic in Malayalam, ‘Kozhi’ means chicken, and ‘Varuthathu’ means roast or fry. The dish is made with marinated chicken cooked with a zesty mix of spices, chillies, garlic, ginger, and vinegar, roasted or fried to perfection. The Syrian Christian community added the use of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and coconut oil enhancing the flavour and aroma of the dish. The dish is often served with rice, roti, or appam, and is a popular comfort food in the region. The dish embodies the region’s cultural diversity and culinary richness.
Best Restaurant: Vellakkanthaari Restaurant
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kochi For Couples
8. Parippu
Photo: Sivahari / Wikimedia Commons
Parippu is a famous lentil-based dish in Kochi. ‘Parippu’ means lentils in Malayalam. The dish is made with red or green lentils, and cooked with a mixture of spices, onions, garlic, ginger, and chillies. The Syrian Christian community added the use of curry leaves, mustard seeds, and coconut oil making it an authentic dish of South India. The dish is generally served with rice, roti, or appam, and is a comfort food in the region. The ingredients and aroma of the food make it a signature dish of Kochi. A simple and healthy choice, often eaten alongside plain rice for a nourishing meal.
Best Restaurant: Brindhavan Veg Restaurant
9. Breudher
Photo: Marta Dzedyshko / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Breudher, also known as Bread Ularthiyathu or Bread Ularthu, is a famous staple breakfast dish in Kochi. The dish was influenced by the European tradition of toast with butter and jam. ‘Breudhar’ means fried bread in Malayalam. The dish is made with bread slices, eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, deep fried in oil or ghee. The Syrian Christian community added nutmeg, cardamom, and coconut milk, adding the flavour and aroma of the dish. The dish is served with tea or coffee, buttery bread resembling a plum cake, made with raisins, variations include candied orange peels or spices.
Best Restaurant: Brindhavan Veg Restaurant
Suggested Read: Shopping In Kochi
10. Pothi Cake
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Pothi Cake is a traditional sweet cake in Kochi. The dish has its roots in the colonial era when European bakers introduced their baking techniques to Kerala. The cake was adapted by local bakers, who incorporated traditional Kerala ingredients like cardamom, nuts, and coconut milk. The cake is made with combined flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla extract and baked for 35-40 minutes. Enjoyed plain or with raisins, it comes in rectangular slices bundled into parcels.
Best Restaurant: Pandhal Cafe & Deli Kadavanthra
Kerala is a city of amazing cuisines that showcases a diverse range of best food in Kochi that reflects its cultural heritage. From traditional cuisine to influences from European, Arab, and Chinese traders, there is a wide variety of dishes, including Idiyappam (steamed rice noodles with coconut milk and spices), Erissery (pumpkin and lentil-based curry), and many more. So, come and indulge in the flavours and aroma of Kochi while booking a vacation with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Ananthan Chithiraikani / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
