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Flavours of Thiruvananthapuram - Exploring the Best Local Street Foods

Get ready to spice up your palate with this guide to some of the must-try Malabar sweets and savouries

Situated in the southwestern part of India, Kerala is a popular tourist destination. Down the centuries, traders from the western and eastern parts of the country met in Kerala to buy and sell spices. This gave rise to a melting pot of various cultures and, with it, a diverse cuisine. As passionate food enthusiasts, my wife and I decided to visit Thiruvananthapuram for a short vacation. We were excited to explore the beautiful city and indulge in its culinary delights.


During our three-day trip, we indulged in multifarious flavours of Thiruvananthapuram, each with its history. We savoured many dishes over the three days, and here we share about the ones we loved the most.

Table of Contents:

  • Fish Molee
  • Beef Roast
  • Puttu
  • Vegetable Stew
  • Idiyappam
  • Kothu Parotta
  • Kerala Prawn Curry
  • Varutha Kozhi
  • Paal Payasam
  • Ghee Roast Dosa

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Fish Molee

We couldn't leave Kerala without trying its famous seafood dishes. Fish Molee, or Meen Molee, is a favourite street food dish that is mildly spiced yet tangy. It is prepared using turmeric and tamarind paste and has a coconut base. The addition of green chillies gives it a spicy twist and it is best enjoyed with steamed rice.


Where to eat: The Kerala Hotel, opposite Lulu Mall, serves superb Fish Molee.

Beef Roast

Lastly, we enjoyed the quintessential beef Roast, which is an all-time favourite among all non-vegetarian food lovers. The small pieces of beef were steamed until tender and then fried crispy with Curry leaves.


Where to eat: Ammachy Thattukada, near MG College, offers a dry but succulent beef Roast.


As our culinary journey came to an end in Kerala, we felt that we had been spoilt for choice with the variety of street foods here. I could spend more than a week trying each of these dishes, and not regret a single bite. Kerala is truly a paradise for foodies. I cannot wait to go back and indulge my taste buds in these delicious foods again!

Puttu

I had heard so much about puttu, a healthy breakfast option made from rice cake cooked in a bamboo trunk. I couldn't wait to try it! As I wandered through the streets of Thiruvananthapuram, I stumbled upon Deyvee Restaurant, which came highly recommended. I ordered puttu with curry and chutney and was instantly blown away by its exquisite taste. The puttu was light and fluffy, and the spices were expertly blended. I certainly savoured each bite!


Where to eat: Although you will find puttu easily on the streets, you must try it at Deyvee Restaurant on Nalumukku-Kaithamukku Road.

Vegetable Stew

Next, we decided to try the vegetable Stew, a simple yet flavourful dish that holds a reserved space on the Malabar platter. We made our way to Mother's Veg Plaza, near Vanross Crossing, and it did not disappoint us. The vegetable Stew was light and easy to digest, with a great balance of sweet and savoury. We relished it with the accompanying appam, idli, and idiyappam, which only seemed to enhance the flavours.


Where to eat: Mother's Veg Plaza near Vanross Crossing

Idiyappam

The next item on our culinary checklist was idiyappam. The string-like appearance of this rice-based dish may look like noodles, but it is much healthier as it is steamed using banana leaves and is packed with nutrients. Upon trying it, we were blown away by the infusion of banana flavour – it was indeed a treat for our taste buds. We paired it with Kerala gravy, which elevated its flavour even further.


Where to eat: Parotta Hut, on Kuranganoor Road, serves the best idiyappam I have ever tasted.

Kothu Parotta

Kothu Parotta was a dish that caught our eye as we walked through the streets of Thiruvananthapuram. The sight of the cook shredding Parotta along with fried or roasted meat was a visual treat, and the aroma of the dish drew us in. The shredded Parotta mixed with spices and meats in a win-win combination. If you like bold flavours, you'll love this.


Where to eat: Deyvee Restaurant on Nalumukku-Kaithamukku Road

Kerala Prawn Curry

Made with a blend of coconut milk and local spices, Kerala prawn curry is easily one of the best dishes the state has to offer. It is not only healthy and rich in iron but is also cooked in minimal oil. We relished it with red rice and appam, making it the perfect comfort food. I promise you won't forget the creamy texture of coconut milk mixed with the savoury flavour of prawns.


Where to eat: The Prawn Curry at Deyvee Restaurant, on Nalumukku-Kaithamukku Road, is a must-try.

Varutha Kozhi

Varutha Kozhi, or fried chicken in coconut curry, is a dish of Tamil origin that draws visitors to Kerala from across India. When the dish arrived at our table, we couldn't hold back from breathing in the strong aroma of curry leaves and spices. The fried chicken was succulent and went well with the creaminess of the curry.


Where to eat: Vizhinjam Kanthari, in Samithy Nagar, is a great place to try this dish.

Paal Payasam

Next, our gastronomical journey led us to Mackaachi's Payasakada, where we tried the famous Paal Payasam. This sweet delicacy, made of milk, rice, sugar, cardamom, and other spices, is a must-try dessert. We enjoyed each spoonful, savouring the flavours, and letting it melt in our mouths. We were so impressed that we couldn't help but go back for seconds!


Where to eat: Mackaachi's Payasakada, near the Vellayambalam bus stop, is highly recommended .

Ghee Roast Dosa

Our next stop was Agrahara Restaurant, where we tried the famous ghee roast dosa. We had heard a lot about this delicacy from the Malabar region, and it lived up to its reputation. The dosa was crispy and the ghee added a unique flavour, elevating the taste of the masala dosa. The coconut chutney was equally delicious, perfectly complementing the dosa. We were amazed at the skill and precision of the cook as he deftly prepared the dosa right in front of us.


Where to eat: Agrahara Restaurant, located next to Azhikotta junction, is a popular choice for ghee Roast Dosa.

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