Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Calicut, Kerala, India

Calicut, India, Calicut, Food & Drink, Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them

Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Calicut, Kerala, India

1. Kerala Parotta with Kozhi Rasuma

Flaky layered flatbread served with a rich, aromatic chicken curry. Savor the melt-in-your-mouth texture and spicy flavors.
  • Authentic Recipe: Prepared using traditional Kerala cooking techniques
  • Flavorful Ingredients: Spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon are used to enhance the taste.
  • Popular Dish: A crowd-pleaser among locals and visitors alike

2. Pathiri with Ishtu

Thin, soft pancake made from rice flour, served with a rich, sweet coconut-based stew. A delightful mix of flavors and textures.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Includes coconut milk and jaggery (unrefined sugar)
  • Delicate Texture: The thin, tender pancake is a unique aspect of this dish
  • Southern Delicacy: Originates from the Malabar region of Kerala

3. Meen Pollichathu

Grilled pearl-spotted fish wrapped in a banana leaf, served with a tangy tamarind sauce. A must-try for seafood lovers.
  • Fresh Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally caught pearl-spotted fish
  • Cooked in Banana Leaf: Gives the fish a unique flavor and aroma
  • Traditional Cooking Method: Grilled over hot coals, sealing in the flavors

4. Malabar Biryani

A fragrant rice dish made with tender, marinated mutton and aromatic spices. A tasty exploration of Kerala's culinary heritage.
  • Authentic Recipe: Prepared using a secret family recipe
  • Flavorful Spices: Includes saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon for an unforgettable taste.
  • Popular Dish: A favorite among locals and a must-try dish for visitors

5. Pazham Nirichathu

Fried ripe plantain slices with a crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior. A perfect snack or dessert.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Made from ripe, local plantains
  • Simple Preparation: Quick and easy to make
  • Popular Snack: Often served with tea or coffee

6. Adya Kappa Biryani

A unique rice dish made from tapioca pearls and fresh seafood. A must-try for a taste of Kerala's coastal cuisine.
  • Unusual Ingredient: Uses tapioca pearls instead of rice
  • Fresh Seafood: Includes fresh, locally caught fish and prawns
  • Coconut-Based Sauce: Served with a tangy coconut-based sauce

7. Kerala Sadya

A traditional vegetarian feast featuring various rice dishes, curries, sambar (lentil soup), pickles, and sweet desserts. A culinary journey through Kerala.
  • Authentic Experience: Offers a taste of traditional Kerala cuisine
  • Vegetarian Option: A great option for vegetarians and vegans
  • Community Meal: Often enjoyed during festivals and special occasions

8. Thattukada Chips

Crispy, thin wafers made from tapioca. A perfect snack for a street food experience.
  • Unusual Ingredient: Made from tapioca
  • Traditional Snack: A popular street food in Kerala
  • Crispy Texture: The crispy texture makes it an addictive snack

9. Kadalai Curry

Delicious peanut curry made with coconut milk and a variety of spices. A flavorful dish that pairs well with rice.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Includes fresh, locally sourced peanuts
  • Creamy Texture: The creamy texture of the coconut milk gives it a unique flavor
  • Spicy Taste: Features a medium level of spiciness

10. Puttu with Kadala Curry

Steamed rice cylinders made from cylindrical molds, served with a spicy black gram curry. A tasty and filling dish.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Includes coconut scrapings and grated coconut
  • Steaming Method: Steamed in cylindrical molds, giving it a unique texture
  • Savory Dish: A popular savory dish among locals

11. Iyyappan Kudumbtu

Traditional vegetarian soup made with a variety of vegetables and spices. A nourishing dish believed to bring good health.
  • Nutritious Ingredients: Includes a variety of vegetables rich in nutrients
  • Traditional Recipe: Prepared during the Iyyappan festival
  • Health Benefits: Believed to bring good health and prosperity

12. Ada Pradhaman

Sweet dessert made from rice flour and jaggery (unrefined sugar), topped with grated coconut. A perfect way to end a meal.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Includes jaggery and fresh, grated coconut
  • Simple Preparation: Quick and easy to make
  • Sweet Dessert: A popular dessert among locals and visitors alike

13. Kerala Meen Varuthathu

Spicy fried fish dish made from fresh fish coated in a spice mixture and deep-fried. A tasty explosion of flavors.
  • Fresh Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally caught fish
  • Spicy Coating: Coated in a spice mixture for an added kick
  • Crispy Texture: The crispy texture of the fried fish is irresistible

14. Pazham Pori

Crispy, sweet banana fritters. A perfect treat for a sweet tooth.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Made from ripe, local bananas
  • Simple Preparation: Quick and easy to make
  • Popular Snack: Often served with tea or coffee

15. Kerala Vellayappam

Soft, fermented rice pancake made from coconut milk and jaggery. A sweet treat that's a staple in many Kerala homes.
  • Traditional Ingredients: Includes coconut milk and jaggery
  • Fermentation Process: The fermentation process gives it a unique flavor
  • Sweet Dessert: A popular dessert among locals and visitors alike