Different region has a different culture, tradition, and food flavors. The Indian state Kerala lying near to the sea has seafood as their staple food. Kerala cuisines include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Rice, fish, and coconut are the most common elements of Kerala food. Food is made delicious by adding chilies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, cinnamon, and asafoetida.

We generally consider that South India cuisine is all limited to idli and dosa, but surprisingly Kerala cuisine has the most popular dishes that will grab your attention towards Kerala.

Here are the topmost dishes of Kerala that can make your Kerala trip more exciting. 

Idiyappam with Curry – Idiyappam with curry is one of the most famous dishes of Kerala. It is also known as Noolappam, made of rice flour, salt, and water with the thin sevai twisted together. It can be served with all kinds of curries, but it is best served with Egg Curry. 

Erissery – Erissery is a dish that is made in every kitchen of Kerala. It is a curry dish made from either raw plantains or sliced yams. It is prepared by boiling sweet pumpkins with salt, chilies, dried lentils, grated coconut, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and garlic. It is served with a bed of rice. Erissery is the favorite dish at the time of religious festivals like Onam.     

Puttu and Kadala Curry – Puttu and Kadala Curry is one of the popular traditional dishes of Kerala. It is the cylindrical steamed rice cake that is cooked with grated coconut. It can be sub-served with ripe bananas, grated coconut, and Kadala curry. 

Appam with Ishtu – Appam with Ishtu is the traditional dish of Kerala, basically a vegetarian dish, but it can be made with chicken or lamb. It is made from fermented rice flour, coconut milk, coconut water, and sugar. Appam is a thin pancake with crispy edges whereas Ishtu is a kind of stew that is made from coconut milk, cinnamon, cloves, and shallots, and sometimes with mango pieces and vegetables. 

ElaSadya – ElaSadya is the king of Kerala cuisine. Sadya is served at religious festivals, weddings, and ceremonial occasions. It is a royal lunch which is a combination of various dishes like Pachadi, Kichadi, Pulissery, Olan, Sambar, Varavu, Thoran, Aviyal, Payasam, Rice, and served on a traditional banana leaf. 

Parippu Curry – Parippu Curry is also known as Dal Curry, which is one of the delicious dishes of Kerala. It is made from small gram, ghee, spices, and chilies. 

Dosa Ghee Roast with Kerala Style Sambar – Dosa Ghee Roast with Kerala Style Sambar is made from fermented rice and lentils. Dosa is cooked and roasted in pure ghee. It is the best dish in the Kerala district. 

Idli Sambar – IdliSambar is the best and healthy food of Kerala that is fondly eaten in Kerala as well as in the whole of India. It is a combination of fermented rice cakes and a tangy curry of different vegetables and spices. 

Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu – Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu is one of the national foods of India. It is a fried chicken with having a different variety of spices. It can be served with chapattis, Kerala Porotta, appam, rice, onions, spices, garlic, and vinegar on the banana leaf. 

Kerala Style Prawn Curry – Kerala style Prawn Curry is a traditional dish that is sprinkled with chili, pepper, salt, turmeric, and cooked in whole coconut milk and jaggery, and then garnished with curry leaves. It can be served with rice or chapattis.  

Karimeen Pollichathu – KarimeenPollichathu is one of the traditional dishes of Kerala that is made out of the Pearl Spot Fish commonly found in the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom. It is originally a Syrian Christian dish, but now it becomes a part of Kerala cuisine. Generally prepared by marinating the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, red chili, spices, and then wrapped and baked in plantain leaves.  

Kerala Style Fish Molee – Kerala Style Fish Molee is the most special dish of Kerala that is prepared with a kingfish, or a seer fish.  Fishes are made into a stew in an earthen pot.  Coconut milk, kokum, spices like pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and green chilies are added to enhance the taste. 

Nadan Beef – Nadan Beef is a delicious dish that is coated with curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, and mustard leaves. It can be served with Porotta, chapatti, or rice. 

Thalassery Biryani – Thalassery Biryani is a special biryani of Kerala that is made of Kaima or Biryani rice, masala made of different spices, dry nuts, and stuffed meat. It can be served with curd, lime pickle, and salad. It is specially made during the festival of Eid. 

KallumakkayaUlarthiyathu – KallumakkayaUlarthiyathu is a seafood that is prepared from mussels and cooked with shallots, garlic, chilies, turmeric, garam masala, grated coconut. 

ErachiVarutharacha Curry – ErachiVarutharacha is a traditional dish of Kerala, which is the original dish of the Syrian Christian community. It can be prepared by frying and grinding the spices and then mixing them in a base of mutton, onions, and tomatoes. 

Malabar Parota – Malabar Parota is a famous Parota that has a crispy, flaky texture with a sweet taste. It is a must-try dish of Kerala. 

Palada Payasam – PaladaPayasam is a traditional dessert of Kerala that is usually made at the time of festivals like Onam. It is a simple rice pudding that is made out of rice, sugar, milk, and ghee.  

Ethakka Appam – EthakkaAppam is a variety of banana fritters that serve as a traditional tea time snack in Kerala. It is prepared with ripe bananas coated with plain flour and deep-fried in oil. It can be served with tea or coffee. 

Ada Pradhaman – Ada Pradhaman is usually a piece of rice batter and sweet coconut milk. It is a favorite dessert of Kerala that is very delicious. 

Chatti Pathiri – Chatti Pathiri is a layered pastry that is made of flour, egg, oil, cardamom, other spices along with nuts, and dry fruits. It is one of the dishes that are prepared at the end of the Ramadan fasting period. 

All these are the best and most famous food of Kerala that is not only popular in Kerala but also in the whole of India. So, try all these dishes whenever you visit Kerala.