Alappuzha (Alleppey), with its stunning backwaters and beautiful coastal landscapes, is also famous for its rich and diverse food culture. Kerala’s culinary traditions offer a delicious blend of spices, fresh seafood, and rice-based dishes. Here’s a detailed guide to the Top 10 Foods to Try in Alappuzha, along with where you can find them, what makes them special, and why you shouldn’t miss them during your visit.
1. Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot Fish)
- Overview: Karimeen (Pearl Spot) is a traditional Kerala fish, renowned for its rich flavor and delicate texture. This dish is made by marinating the fish in a blend of Kerala spices and then wrapping it in banana leaves before grilling or steaming it.
- What Makes It Special: The banana leaf imparts a unique aroma to the fish, and the spices enhance the natural flavors of the pearl spot.
- Where to Try: Thaff Restaurant, Karimpumkala Restaurant, The Backwater Bar
- Cost: ₹300–₹600 per serving
- Why It’s Special: A must-try for seafood lovers, it’s a quintessential Kerala dish, especially popular in Alappuzha due to its coastal proximity.
2. Appam with Stew
- Overview: Appam is a soft, lacy rice pancake made from fermented rice batter. It is commonly paired with stew, a mild, coconut milk-based curry made with vegetables or chicken.
- What Makes It Special: Appam’s delicate texture contrasts beautifully with the creamy, aromatic stew, making it a comforting meal.
- Where to Try: Shanthi Restaurant, Hotel Arcadia Regency, Punnappra Heritage Resort
- Cost: ₹100–₹250 per plate
- Why It’s Special: A traditional breakfast or brunch dish, perfect for starting the day in Kerala.
3. Puttu and Kadala Curry
- Overview: Puttu is a steamed rice cake made with rice flour and grated coconut. It is typically served with Kadala curry, a spicy black chickpea curry made with roasted coconut and a variety of spices.
- What Makes It Special: The soft and fluffy puttu combined with the spicy, flavorful Kadala curry creates a satisfying and nutritious meal.
- Where to Try: Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Restaurant, Shanthi Restaurant, local street vendors
- Cost: ₹50–₹150 per serving
- Why It’s Special: A popular breakfast dish in Kerala, it’s filling and nutritious, offering a taste of local Kerala life.
4. Kerala Sadya
- Overview: Kerala Sadya is a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. It includes a variety of curries, rice, pickles, papad, and desserts. The dishes are served in a specific order and are eaten with your hands.
- What Makes It Special: The wide variety of flavors, textures, and spices create a truly authentic Kerala experience. The meal is designed to balance flavors, with everything from sweet to sour to spicy.
- Where to Try: Revi Karunakaran Memorial Restaurant, Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Restaurant, local temples during festivals
- Cost: ₹300–₹500 per person
- Why It’s Special: A complete Kerala meal, Sadya is often served during festivals and celebrations, making it an essential experience.
5. Fish Curry with Rice
- Overview: This is a classic Kerala dish made with fresh fish cooked in a spicy, tangy coconut-based curry. It’s typically served with rice, which soaks up the rich and flavorful gravy.
- What Makes It Special: The blend of coconut, tamarind, and Kerala spices makes the curry incredibly flavorful, while the rice complements the curry perfectly.
- Where to Try: Kayani Bar, Thaff Restaurant, The Grills Restaurant & Bar
- Cost: ₹150–₹400 per plate
- Why It’s Special: A staple in Kerala households, this dish reflects the coastal lifestyle and the abundance of fresh fish in the region.
6. Beef Fry
- Overview: Kerala Beef Fry is a flavorful dish made with tender beef chunks sautéed in a mixture of spices, coconut slices, and curry leaves. It’s often served with rice, parotta, or appam.
- What Makes It Special: The deep, rich flavors of the spices and slow-cooked beef make this dish a Kerala favorite.
- Where to Try: Hotel Arcadia Regency, Bismillah Hotel, local eateries
- Cost: ₹150–₹300 per serving
- Why It’s Special: A popular dish for both locals and tourists, beef fry is a Kerala-style comfort food that pairs perfectly with flatbreads like parotta.
7. Banana Chips
- Overview: Banana chips are made from raw bananas that are thinly sliced and deep-fried in coconut oil, then seasoned with salt and spices.
- What Makes It Special: The crispy texture and the distinctive coconut oil flavor make these chips a popular snack in Kerala.
- Where to Try: Street vendors, local markets like Mullakkal, and in many Kerala snack shops
- Cost: ₹50–₹150 per packet
- Why It’s Special: Banana chips are a beloved snack in Kerala, often enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a travel snack.
8. Chili Beef
- Overview: Chili Beef is a spicy stir-fry made with tender beef, green chilies, onions, and a variety of Kerala spices. It’s typically served as a snack or appetizer and is often paired with parotta.
- What Makes It Special: The bold, spicy flavors of the dish make it a standout on the Kerala menu, with the beef being cooked until tender and packed with flavor.
- Where to Try: The Royal Touch Restaurant & Bar, Thaff Restaurant, local eateries
- Cost: ₹150–₹300 per serving
- Why It’s Special: A flavorful and spicy dish that pairs perfectly with Kerala’s soft parottas.
9. Idiyappam with Stew
- Overview: Idiyappam, also known as string hoppers, is a dish made from rice flour dough, steamed into thin noodles. It’s usually served with a flavorful coconut milk-based stew, which can be vegetarian or with chicken.
- What Makes It Special: The light, soft idiyappam pairs wonderfully with the creamy stew, making it a comforting and delicious meal.
- Where to Try: Shanthi Restaurant, Raheem Residency, local breakfast stalls
- Cost: ₹50–₹150 per plate
- Why It’s Special: Idiyappam is a traditional Kerala breakfast dish, light yet satisfying.
10. Prawn Curry
- Overview: Kerala-style prawn curry is a tangy and spicy curry made with fresh prawns cooked in coconut milk and Kerala spices. It’s often served with rice or parotta.
- What Makes It Special: The freshness of the prawns combined with the creamy coconut curry and tangy tamarind creates a rich and balanced flavor profile.
- Where to Try: Thaff Restaurant, Karimpumkala Restaurant, The Backwater Bar
- Cost: ₹250–₹500 per serving
- Why It’s Special: Kerala’s prawn curry is a true reflection of the region’s coastal cuisine, offering a delicate yet bold flavor.
Summary Table of Top 10 Foods to Try in Alappuzha
| Food Item | Description | Where to Try | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karimeen Pollichathu | Grilled pearl spot fish marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaves | Thaff Restaurant, Karimpumkala Restaurant | ₹300–₹600 |
| Appam with Stew | Soft rice pancakes served with vegetable or chicken stew | Shanthi Restaurant, Hotel Arcadia Regency | ₹100–₹250 |
| Puttu and Kadala Curry | Steamed rice cakes with black chickpea curry | Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Restaurant, Shanthi Restaurant | ₹50–₹150 |
| Kerala Sadya | Traditional vegetarian feast with rice and curries | Revi Karunakaran Memorial Restaurant, Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Restaurant | ₹300–₹500 per person |
| Fish Curry with Rice | Spicy fish curry served with steamed rice | Kayani Bar, Thaff Restaurant, The Grills Restaurant | ₹150–₹400 |
| Beef Fry | Sautéed beef with spices and coconut | Hotel Arcadia Regency, Bismillah Hotel | ₹150–₹300 |
| Banana Chips | Deep-fried banana slices seasoned with salt and spices | Street vendors, local markets | ₹50–₹150 |
| Chili Beef | Spicy beef stir-fry with green chilies and onions | The Royal Touch Restaurant & Bar, Thaff Restaurant | ₹150–₹300 |
| Idiyappam with Stew | Rice flour noodles served with a coconut milk-based stew | Shanthi Restaurant, Raheem Residency | ₹50–₹150 |
| Prawn Curry | Prawns cooked in a tangy, spicy coconut curry | Thaff Restaurant, Karimpumkala Restaurant | ₹250–₹500 |
Tips for Enjoying Alappuzha’s Cuisine:
- Spice Levels: Kerala food can be quite spicy. If you’re not used to spicy food, request the dishes to be prepared less spicy.
- Local Style: Kerala food is best enjoyed with your hands, especially meals like Sadya or Appam with Stew.
- Seafood Freshness: Being a coastal town, Alappuzha’s seafood is always fresh, so don’t miss the opportunity to try it during your visit.
Enjoy your culinary exploration in Alappuzha with these amazing local dishes!