Best Street Foods You Must Try When You're In Kerala

The local food of Kerala is one of the top reasons why people visit the state. The weather, the greenery, and the serenity are unparalleled, but so is the street food of Kerala. 

It is where the real culinary magic takes place. The clashing spices, bubbling curries and simple rice dishes are all available for you to relish.

We have a list of the best street food in Kerala for you. When you arrive, pull out this list and begin your gastronomical tour.

Kerala Street Food

1. Puttu and Kadala Curry
2. Appam and Stew
3. Parotta and Mutton Fry
4. Kappa and Meen Curry
5. Erissery
6. Banana Chips
7. Thattu Dosa
8. Pazham Pori
9. Kozhikode Biryani
10. Sukhiyan

Puttu and Kadala Curry

Puttu is a well-known local food of Kerala. It might look simple, but it is quite flavourful. It is a steamed rice cake made with ground rice and coconut, often served for breakfast. It has a soft, fluffy texture and is usually served with kadala curry, a spicy and flavorful black chickpeas (kadala) curry made from cooked in a rich, coconut-based gravy. Combining the mild puttu with the robust kadala curry creates a satisfying and nutritious meal popular across Kerala.

Appam and Stew

Appam is a thin, pancake-like dish made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, characterized by its soft, fluffy centre and crispy edges. It is commonly served with stew, a mild, coconut milk-based curry containing vegetables or meat, often chicken. The stew's creamy texture and delicate spices complement the light and airy appam, making it a beloved dish for breakfast or dinner in Kerala. Being one of the common street foods of Kerala, you can find it at local shops.

Parotta and Mutton Fry

Parotta is a crispy flatbread made from refined flour, eggs, and oil, kneaded and stretched into thin sheets before being folded and cooked on a hot griddle. It is typically served with mutton fry, a spicy dish made from mutton chunks marinated in a mix of spices and slow-cooked with onions, curry leaves, and coconut slices. The crispy parotta paired with the spicy, flavourful mutton fry is a famous street food in Kerala.

Kappa and Meen Curry

Kappa, or boiled tapioca, is a staple food in Kerala, often served as a side dish or snack. It is boiled until soft and then seasoned with grated coconut, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Meen curry, a traditional fish curry, is made with fresh fish simmered in a tangy and spicy gravy of tamarind, chilli, and other spices. The combination of the starchy kappa with the tangy and spicy meen curry is a classic and beloved pairing in Kerala cuisine.

Erissery

Erissery is a classic local food of Kerala made from a combination of vegetables like pumpkin, yam, or plantain, cooked with ground coconut, green chillies, and spices. Then, it is tempered with mustard seeds, dried red chillies, and curry leaves. It is a mild, slightly sweet curry often served as part of the Onam sadya, a festive vegetarian feast. Erissery is cherished for its simplicity and the harmonious blend of flavours.

Banana Chips

Banana chips are a popular snack in Kerala, made by slicing ripe or unripe bananas thinly and deep-frying them in coconut oil until crisp. They can be seasoned with salt for a savoury version or jaggery and cardamom for a sweet variant. The chips are known for their crunchy texture and are a common accompaniment to meals or tea.

Thattu Dosa

Thattu dosa is a small, thick, and fluffy dosa. This street food of Kerala is typically served at street-side stalls known as "thattukadas" in Kerala. These dosas are prepared from fermented rice and urad dal batter, cooked on a hot griddle, and served with chutney and sambar. Thattu dosa is a popular snack or light meal, cherished for its soft texture and comforting taste.

Pazham Pori

Pazham pori, also known as ethakka appam, is a sweet snack and a local food of Kerala made by coating ripe plantain slices in a batter of flour, sugar, and spices, and then deep-frying them until golden brown. The outer coating is crispy, while the inside remains soft and sweet, making it a favourite tea-time snack in Kerala.

Kozhikode Biryani

Kozhikode biryani, also known as Calicut biryani, is a distinctive version of biryani from the Kozhikode region of Kerala. It is made with fragrant jeera samba rice, marinated chicken or mutton, and a blend of spices, including ghee, onions, and tomatoes. The biryani is known for its aromatic flavour and is often served with raita, pickle, and pappadams.

Sukhiyan

Sukhiyan is a traditional Kerala snack made from green gram (mung beans) cooked with jaggery and coconut, then coated in a batter of flour and deep-fried. The result is a sweet, crunchy exterior with a soft, sweet, and slightly spiced interior, making it a popular snack during tea or festive occasions.

Here it is, your very own Kerala street food list. Gather your loved ones, pack your stuff and make your way to Kerala for these delicious local foods.

If you are staying at one of the Club Mahindra Kerala Resorts, do ask our staff for information on these dishes.