12 traditional dishes that are must-try in Kochi

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is India's first and South Asia's longest-running contemporary art biennale. And as the host city of the biennale, Kochi not just offers depth of art but of culinary legacy too. The city is known for its soothing and comforting flavours that are loved by people of all age groups. Here are 12 traditional dishes that are must-try in Kochi.

Appam with stew is one of the delicious foods to try in Kochi. These are soft pancakes made from rice batter. It is served with a stew made with vegetables, chicken, or meat. Coconut milk is added to give the mixture a creamy and yummy texture. It is popularly enjoyed during breakfast in Kerala.

Puttu refers to a steamed rice cylindrical cake made from rice flour and grated coconut and Kadala Curry is a black chickpea curry. Together they form a delectable combo best enjoyed in Kochi.

A traditional South Indian savory, idiyappam, is made from rice flour, water, and salt. The dough is prepared to make soft strands of noodles out of that mixture. It is served with a variety of curry, which complements the dish.

Popularly known as Malabar paratha, it is a flatbread made from flour, maida, oil, salt, and water. It is served with pickles or chutney. It is just like a paratha and tastes awesome.

Kerala banana chips are crispy snacks and are made with raw bananas. After being deep-fried in oil, the crispy banana chips perfectly satisfy the evening cravings with a topping of spice powder and chai on the side.

Pazham Pori is also widely known as “Ethakka Appam." It is a deep-fried snack made with ripe Nendran banana, maida or rice flour, turmeric, and sugar. You can enjoy a plate of pazham pori with tea.

It is a traditional Kerala-style biryani made with kappa, also known as tapioca. It is combined with a blend of spices, herbs, and meat. It is slow-cooked with onions, ginger-garlic, green chillies, curry leaves and a bold blend of Kerala spices, the masala infuses the neutral kappa with deep, robust flavours and makes for a delectable treat. (Image: Instagram/anjus_kitchen)

It is a refreshing drink from Kerala. It has a sweet and tangy taste. This beverage is made with lemon, chia seeds, basil seeds, sugar, chilli and other tinge of spices. It is a delightful drink that quickly refreshes your mind and body. (Image: Instagram/cookintower)

It is a delectable sweet treat made with rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and banana. It is steamed in banana leaves. This is a must-have sweet treat with soft outer layer contrasts with the rich, slightly chewy coconut-jaggery filling, creating a balance of textures and flavours that feels both comforting and nostalgic.

It is a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring more than 28 dishes including avial, thoran, olan, pachadi and payasam and more.

Also known as Prawn Curry, it is a main course dish, where juicy prawns are simmered in coconut milk with spices and are best served with steamed rice.

It is a must-have dessert made with rice ada, milk and sugar, which is slow-cooked to perfection, garnished with coconut and dry fruits and served fresh.