Kerala, a land of backwaters, lush greenery, and rich cultural history, is also a haven for food enthusiasts. Let’s take a mouthwatering tour through 28 delicious famous Kerala food items which are the famous food of Kerala that are bound to leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
Well, there are Kerala food item lists with traditional Kerala food images with names such that you will get easier to the Kerala food.
There are plenty of Popular food in Kerala but here we have talked and explored about 28 Kerala Food Items that you will love to know about.
Table of Contents
Traditional Kerala Food Items With Images
1. Appam
These delicate rice pancakes with crispy edges are the stars of breakfast. They are like pancakes with a secret identity problem – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside!
Appams are usually made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk which results in a unique blend of flavours and textures that make every bite a delightful surprise of this famous food of Kerala.
2. Puttu
Picture a tall, cylindrical cooked rice cake – that’s puttu. It’s like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but way tastier and less likely to fall.
Puttu is made by layering grated coconut and steamed rice flour, making a heavenly combination that’s often enjoyed with ripe bananas or kadala curry (black chickpea curry).
Puttu kadala is the dynamic duo of breakfast – steamed rice cakes and chickpea curry team up for a filling meal which is the famous food of Kerala.
Puttu is usually paired with kadala curry, a spicy chickpea stew that perfectly complements the subtle flavours of the steamed rice cakes, making a harmonious and filling breakfast.
3. Idiyappam
Often confused for a plateful of white yarn, idiyappam is actually steamed rice noodles. If noodles and clouds had a delicious love child, it would be idiyappam.
Idiyappam is a Kerala food name for a food item in Kerala which is desi noodles with no extra colours like all Kerala food items usually have which makes it the subtle famous food of Kerala.
These delicate strands are usually served with a side of coconut milk and spicy curry, making a simple yet exquisite meal.
4. Kerala Sadya
Imagine a food marathon, and at the finish line, you have a banana leaf covered with an array of colourful curries, crisps, and sweets.
The famous food of Kerala is hands down Kerala Sadya which is so popular Kerala food item which everyone knows.
That’s the big Kerala Sadya – a feast for your stomach and your Instagram feed! Served during festivals and special events, this elaborate spread shows the best of Kerala cuisine, from avial to payasam, ensuring every palate is pampered.
5. Dosa (Kerala-style)
Dosa, Kerala style, is like a supermodel – thin, crispy, and totally irresistible. It’s a delightful Kerala famous food that should be designated as a national treasure.
Made from fermented rice and urad dal (black gram) batter, Kerala dosas are thinner and slightly tangier than their cousins in other regions, making them the star of breakfast tables everywhere.
6. Uthappam
It’s like a dosa went on vacation and chose to come back all fluffy and topped with veggies. Uthappam is the laid-back cousin of the Dosa family.
This South Indian pancake is made with the same batter as dosa but is thicker and filled with colourful vegetable toppings like onions, tomatoes, and green chillies, making it a filling and savoury lunch.
7. Kerala Prawn Curry
Kerala Prawn Curry is a seaside wonder that is made with juicy prawns with a medley of different flavours of Kerala.
Marinated prawns are usually mixed with a fragrant mixture of coconut, spices, vinegar, and tomatoes which makes it the best Kerala food non-veg item.
The final curry which is made is tangy and hot which surely is a testament to Kerala’s cooking skill. It is usually served with steamed rice or appam, this food reflects the region’s coastal culture.
It’s a sensory journey that whispers of the sea, the warmth of Kerala’s kitchens, and generations of cooking skills. In just one taste, Kerala’s coastal charm and culinary history unfold, making every bite an oceanic treat.
8. Kappa (Tapioca) Biriyani
Kappa biriyani is like a surprise party for your taste buds – tapioca and spices come together for a delicious celebration.
Tapioca is boiled, tempered with spices and sauces, and then layered with aromatic rice to create an unusual turn on the classic biriyani, which is beloved for its odd textures and delicious taste.
9. Avial
Avial is like a rainbow on your plate – a mix of veggies in a coconut yoghurt sauce. It’s so good; even veggies dance in joy.
This vegetable is made with easily available ingredients everywhere which are coconut, green chillies, and yoghurt, resulting in a thick and creamy dish that not only looks good but also tastes good.
Avial with its unique name is also the famous food of Kerala which hits a different taste from other Kerala Food items.
10. Sambar
Sambar is the reliable sidekick to every South Indian meal. It’s like the superhero team of lentils, vegetables, and tamarind, battling blandness everywhere.
A comforting stew, sambar is a delicious amalgamation of lentils, veggies, and a unique mix of spices, creating a hearty dish that’s served alongside rice or idli (steamed rice cakes).
11. Rasam
When your tummy needs a nice hug, rasam steps in. It’s like a tangy, spicy soup that soothes sadness which is one of the famous Kerala food items.
Rasam is a light, tasty curry made with tamarind juice, tomatoes, and a spice blend that provides quick comfort with its calming aroma and acidic flavour which always tastes like Kerala home food
12. Kerala Fish Curry
This curry is so famous, even fish want to swim in it. It’s the ideal combination of spicy, tangy, and coconut mixed delightful Famous food of Kerala.
Kerala fish curry is a traditional food of Kerala in which fish is cooked in a sour tamarind or kokum-based stew that is enhanced with coconut milk and a variety of spices, leaving your taste buds asking for more.
13. Meen Pollichathu (Fish Roast)
If fish had a red carpet moment, it would be when they’re cooked in banana leaves with masalas.It’s a fish-tacular delight!
The fish is marinated in a spicy masala and then wrapped in banana leaves, and roasted to perfection which brings together the tastes of the leaves and spices into the soft fish and produces an explosion of flavour and aroma that makes it truly a one of the special Kerala food non-veg items
14. Kozhikode Biryani
Move over, normal biryanis; Kozhikode biryani is here to steal the show. It’s so aromatic; even the spices blush with pride.
A Kerala food non veg item which is all over famous and most of the people love the taste of it and it’s easy to make it at home.
Kozhikode biryani is a fragrant one-pot wonder where delicious rice and succulent meat are layered and slow-cooked, allowing the spices to mingle and create a tantalizing aroma that’s simply irresistible.
15. Malabar Parotta
Malabar paratha is like a paper-thin pillow of goodness. It’s so soft that you’ll want to sleep with it.
Also known as Kerala porotta, this flaky, layered bread is a testament to the craftsmanship of the cook – the dough is carefully stretched and cooked until it’s golden and flaky, making it a perfect partner for curries and gravies.
16. Erissery
Erissery is a pumpkin and bean stew – like a warm, cozy blanket for your taste buds. This hearty Kerala food item mixes the sweetness of pumpkin with the earthiness of lentils, all cooked in rich and nourishing spiced coconut gravy.
17. Olan
Olan is the coconut milk orchestra with veggies as its players. It’s so creamy; even dairy cows are jealous.
Olan is a mild and soothing stew made with ash gourd and black-eyed beans, simmered in coconut milk and spiced with green chillies, making a dish that’s as comforting as a gentle breeze on a summer day.
18. Pachadi
Pachadi is a sweet and tangy dance of tastes – it’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited it’s an essential kind of raita with the most food dish.
This Special food of Kerala combines yoghurt, fruits, and vegetables with spices and a dash of sweetness to create a flavour symphony that matches the main course nicely.
19. Thoran
Thoran is like a vegetable symphony, where each note is a different veggie finely chopped and stir-fried with spices.
A staple in Kerala homes, thoran displays the vibrant colors and natural flavors of vegetables, which are sautéed with grated coconut and a touch of seasoning, resulting in a dish that’s both healthy and delicious.
20. Pazham Pori (Banana Fritters)
These fritters are like the sweetest rock stars – ripe bananas wrapped in batter and fried to crispy perfection.
Pazham pori is a popular snack of Kerala in which ripe banana slices are dipped in a batter composed of rice flour and fried till golden and crisp, creating a delightful blend of sweetness and crunch.
21. Unniyappam
Unniyappam is like a hug from grandma – small, sweet, and full of love. It’s a traditional food in Kerala that’s hard to avoid.
These small round rice flour cakes are filled with bananas, sugar, and coconut, resulting in a treat that’s both traditional food of Kerala which is so delicious.
22. Neyyappam
Neyyappam is like a deep-fried pillow of delight – rice and jaggery come together to make a sweet masterpiece.
Made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, neyyappam has a crisp outer layer and a soft, sweet middle, making it a beloved treat during festive seasons.
23. Vattayappam
Vattayappam is the airy cousin of cake – it’s a steamed, spongy delight that’s great for teatime. This sweet and slightly tangy cake is made with some rice flour, coconut, sugar, and yeast resulting in a fluffy and delicious treat that pairs well with a cup of hot tea which turns into a perfect snack option for Kerala food items.
24. Ada Pradhaman
Ada Pradhaman is the royal dessert of Kerala – rice flakes, jaggery, and coconut milk come together for a treat fit for kings and queens.
This rich and delicious pudding of Kerala is produced with rice flakes cooked with jaggery and coconut milk until they form a delightful consistency, resulting in a beautiful and soothing dessert.
25. Payasam
Payasam is like a dessert symphony – different grains and fruits dance in a sweet, milky melody.
Payasam is a Traditional food of Kerala made of rice, vermicelli, or beans cooked in milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar, resulting in a delicious treat enjoyed on special occasions.
26. Erachi Varutharacha Curry
Erachi Varutharacha Curry is a soul-warming Kerala food in non-veg Special food of Kerala that shows the rich tastes of slow-cooked tender pieces of meat, often beef or sheep, gently simmered in a mix of roasted coconut, spices, and flavorful herbs.
The coconut that has been roasted helps to add thickness to the gravy, creating a rich, creamy sauce that follows every bite.
This curry reflects the heartiness of Kerala food. This curry served with rice or traditional bread, is a valued reminiscence of Kerala’s culinary past as well as the comfort of a well-seasoned, home-cooked dinner.
27. Nadan Kozhi Curry (Traditional Chicken Curry)
Nadan kozhi curry is the most popular and easiest Kerala food non veg item which is the chicken equal to a warm hug of– spicy, aromatic, and utterly comforting special food of Kerala.
This delicious chicken curry is made with lots of spices, coconut milk, and tender chicken pieces that create a dish that’s deeply filling and connected with Kerala’s culinary history.
28. Kerala Beef Fry
Kerala beef fry is like a culinary adventure of Kerala food non veg item – tender pieces of beef are marinated and fried to perfection, making it a must-try for meat fans.
The beef is marinated in a mixture of different spices, including black pepper before being fried to make it crispy and juicy which results in a spicy and tempting Traditional food of Kerala.
So there you have it – a wild voyage across Popular food in Kerala.
So, next time you’re in Kerala, don’t just discover the backwaters; dive into the delicious world of Kerala food items and let your taste buds embark on a flavour-packed journey!