If you are a curious foodie, the coastal city of Kochi offers a lot to satiate your mind, body and soul. There are umpteen reasons why tourists visit Kerala and the mind-blowing cuisine tops the list. The fascinating cultural legacy, along with the welcoming locals, make the city feel like home away from home. What adds to its charm is the unique food culture.
After booking your Chennai to Kochi flights, take a look at how to relish delicious dishes and have the best gastronomical experience in Kerala.
What to Eat at Kochi?
A major part of the Kochi cuisine has been influenced by the Dutch, Portuguese and English colonizers. Here are a few quintessential dishes, popular among tourists and locals alike.
1. Thattu Dosa
This is far from the paper thin dosa that we usually eat. It is packed with ghee and masala and makes for filling street food. A piece of thick dosa, dipped in chammanthi (chutney) can awaken your taste buds like few others. The best way to savor this is to buy it from street side thelas and shops. After deboarding your flights between Chennai to Kochi, take some time out to taste this delicacy.
2. Sadhya
If you are up for a heavy lunch, the authentic Sadhya is what you must look for. It is a full meal, including rice, 5- 8 types of curries and sweet payasam. If you want to eat exactly like a local, get it served on banana leaves, instead of plates. This is traditional food that will give you an insight into how Malayalis like their dishes.
3. Stew & Appam
This is a basic household stew made from both vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients. It is not particular to Kochi alone. This simple dish is enjoyed by all of Kerala and even in parts of North India. You will find these at every single eatery in town.
4. Karimeen Pollichathu
Fish is wrapped in banana leaf and marinated for hours. Later, they are grilled and served in the leaf. This is done to keep the aroma and flavors intact. Fresh karimeens are brought in from Kochi’s harbors and generous portions are savored by locals on special days or whenever the craving starts.
5. Butter Milk
After landing via Chennai to Kochi flights, do make sure to take a sip of the famous butter milk. You can try both the sweet and the salty versions, well garnished with loads of freshly chopped fruits, nuts and coriander leaves.
Where to Eat at Kochi
A few famous and traditional restaurants in the city are Kayees, Teapot Café, Fort House Restaurant, Menorah, Malabar Junction, Quality Bakers and Abad Plaza. Another great area to hog like a local is Fort Kochi, popularly known as FC. You can savor mouth-watering potato bondas and beef cutlets at reasonable prices here. There are tiny street shops, where tourists can pick beautiful art works too. At Cochin Fort, you can also listen to the passing ships and seagulls while enjoying your food.
After drowning yourself in these authentic local foods, don’t forget to catch your Chennai to Kochi flights right on time!