Also known as “Gateway to Kerala,” Kochi is a major city in the southern state of Kerala, India. Formed over centuries by a diverse foreign authority, such as British, Dutch, Portuguese, Arabs, and Chinese, this city has a glorious past immersed from the colonial story. Various cultures are adapted and shape the city’s own cultural identity. It becomes one of the most appealing destinations in Kerala, especially its tourist area, Fort Kochi. It also features amazing island resorts and Airbnb vacation rentals. In addition to its historical interest, accommodations, and diverse tourist attractions, one point that makes Kochi unique is its food culture. It is one of the exciting cities to enjoy the famous South Indian cuisine. Here is our list of the best street food you must try in Kochi.
1. Pazham pori (fried bananas)
Also known as ethakka appam, pazham pori is a popular snack that can be found anywhere in Kerala. This South Indian cuisine is mainly made of sliced bananas that are well coated in all-purpose flour batter. It comes with a variety of seasonings such as salt, sugar, and turmeric powder, that is then deep-fried. Pazham pori is prepared as a snack served together with tea or chai. You may also find this fritter cake served with beef curry though this seems like a bit unusual combination. Even in some restaurants, this dish is served along with beef.
2. Chicken shawarma (chicken rotisserie wrapped in pita bread)
Chicken shawarma is a popular easy snack initially made of lamb or mutton. Still, today’s shawarma may also be that of chicken, beef, turkey, or veal. Salt chicken chunks are mounted on a rotating skewer and roasted against a gas burning grill. Thin slices are cut from the cooked surface as it rotates continually. Chicken shawarma has been maintained as a restaurant dish. However, this food is healthy and safe to eat; hence, street food vendors also wrap up this delicacy and serve with juicy chicken and veggie.
3. Puttu (traditional breakfast made of rice flour)
Puttu is a traditional dish for breakfast in almost every household in Kerala. It is steamed cylinders of ground rice served with kadala curry and black chickpeas. This traditional food of Kerala is prepared with ground rice, layered with coconut shavings or sometimes banana, and steamed accordingly. While kadala curry and black chickpeas are roasted in coconut gravy, you can add chicken keema (minced chicken) as well.
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4. Beef vindaloo (hottest Indian curries)
Vindaloo is the hottest curry you can get in an Indian restaurant. It is inspired by the Portuguese dish, where the locals add a twist by using local ingredients, including extra dried chili peppers and other spices. Traditionally, a hot curry comes with a load of chilies, tomatoes, and onions. The authentic taste of vindaloo comes from a unique blend of the garlic, vinegar, jaggery, fat of the pork, and Kashmiri chili. Beef vindaloo is often served with a combination of rice, chappatis, or naan bread.
5. Masala dosa (crepe made from fermented rice and black lentils)
Dosas are characteristic South Indian essentials consisting of pancakes made from fermented rice and lentils. It is served along with sides such as sambhar (sour lentil soup with vegetables) and different kinds of chutney (tomato, coconut, mint, and tamarind). Masala dosa is a variation of dosas, made from rice, black lentils, and stuffed with cooked filling of fried onions, potatoes, and spices. It is usually served along with coconut chutneys, sambhar, and potato curry.
6. Nadan kozhi varuthathu (spicy chicken fry recipes)
Nadan kozhi varuthathu is a simple chicken fry with dried red chili, ginger-garlic, and vinegar; this dish is one of the favorite chicken recipes in Kerala. It is commonly known as spicy chicken fry and can be served as a side dish or a snack. The boneless chicken is fried with garlic and onion, along with chili, coriander, and vinegar. The dish is commonly served along with rice, roti, or parotta (an Indian flatbread). It tastes crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.
7. Kerala parotta (layered flatbread made of refined flour)
This delicacy is a pride to South Indian cuisine that originally comes from the Malabar region of Kerala. Malabar cuisine is commonly popular with its non-vegetarian recipes, while parotta is among the most popular vegetarian recipe in the area. These layered flatbreads are made of refined flour; various techniques are used to get the layered flakes. It is served along with vegetable korma or any non-vegetarian sauce, and a chicken or an egg curry for breakfast or dinner.
8. Karimeen pollichathu (tasty fish fry recipe)
Karimeen pollichathu is a tasty fish fry recipe, crispy from the outside and soft from the inside. This original South Indian dish has simple ingredients such as pearl spot fish, lime juice, curry leaves, garlic, onions, ginger, as well as a variety of spices. If you like eating fish, this Indian recipe is a must-try dish for you. It has lower calories compared to any different fish fry recipes and can be served at any occasion.
9. Chicken 65
As one of the classic dishes of South Indian cuisine, Chicken 65 was introduced in 1965 at the famous Buhari Restaurant in Chennai. It is a spicy deep-fried chicken dish served as a quick snack or an entrée. Some chefs opine that chicken 65 is made with 65 kinds of spicy chilies such as cumin, ginger, turmeric, curry leaves, and peppers. Some others say that the chicken marinade takes 65 days of preparation to retain its flavor and freshness. However, they also provide chicken 78, chicken 82, and chicken 90, that were originally stirred up in 1978, 1982, and 1990 respectively.
10. Kulukki sabbath (shaking lemonade)
Kulukki sabbath is a gift to the world. Kulukki in Malayalam means ‘shaking,’ and sabbath means 'juice.’ Lemonade is a drink that transforms sour lemon juice into a sweet combination, with the addition of sugar and water. This local lemonade tastes sweet, salty, and spicy. It is filled with khuskhus seeds and served with lemon, basil seeds, and green chili after being shaken firmly.
Explore the specialty of Kerala cuisine in Kochi
No visit to Kerala is ever complete without a visit to Kochi. The distinct culture and cuisine of Kochi work together to create a great vacation. You will have fun exploring everything Kochi has to offer, including cafes. If you get hungry, be sure to try some of the best street foods listed here.