Here’s a detailed guide to the Top 10 Foods to Try in Palakkad, giving tourists and city visitors the best of local Kerala cuisine to indulge in:
1. Puttu and Kadala Curry
- What It Is: Puttu is a traditional Kerala breakfast dish made from steamed rice flour and coconut, served with Kadala Curry (black chickpeas cooked in a spiced coconut gravy).
- Where to Try: Sree Venkateswara Swamy Temple area, local eateries.
- Price Range: ₹40–₹100
- Why You Should Try It: It’s a wholesome breakfast option, combining the softness of Puttu with the rich flavor of Kadala curry.
- Best Time: Morning (Breakfast time)
2. Kothu Parotta
- What It Is: Kothu Parotta is a popular street food in Palakkad made from shredded parotta (flatbread) mixed with vegetables, eggs, and spicy curry.
- Where to Try: Kottayi, local roadside stalls.
- Price Range: ₹60–₹150
- Why You Should Try It: A delicious, spicy, and filling meal that embodies the essence of Kerala’s street food culture.
- Best Time: Evening or Late Night
3. Appam with Stew
- What It Is: Appam is a soft, bowl-shaped rice pancake served with a coconut-based stew made with vegetables or meat.
- Where to Try: Sree Krishna Hotel, Aashirwad Silks.
- Price Range: ₹50–₹150
- Why You Should Try It: Appam’s light, fluffy texture pairs perfectly with the rich, flavorful stew, offering a satisfying meal.
- Best Time: Breakfast or Lunch
4. Kerala Sadya
- What It Is: A traditional feast typically served on a banana leaf, featuring a variety of vegetarian dishes such as rice, sambhar, avial, thoran, pachadi, and payasam (dessert).
- Where to Try: Madhuram Restaurants, Hotel Narayana.
- Price Range: ₹200–₹500
- Why You Should Try It: It’s an authentic Kerala experience, offering a wide array of flavors in one meal.
- Best Time: Special occasions, Onam festival
5. Fish Curry
- What It Is: A spicy and tangy curry made with fresh local fish like karimeen (pearl spot) or meen (fish) cooked in a coconut-based gravy with tamarind.
- Where to Try: Malabar Hotel, Hotel Raindrops.
- Price Range: ₹150–₹300
- Why You Should Try It: Freshly caught fish, paired with the authentic Kerala-style tangy gravy, is an absolute must for seafood lovers.
- Best Time: Lunch or Dinner
6. Banana Fritters (Pazham Pori)
- What It Is: Pazham Pori are fried sweet bananas coated with batter, a popular evening snack in Palakkad.
- Where to Try: Street vendors around Palakkad Town, Kottayi.
- Price Range: ₹20–₹50
- Why You Should Try It: Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, Pazham Pori is a delicious treat that is loved by locals and tourists alike.
- Best Time: Evening
7. Payasam
- What It Is: A traditional Kerala dessert made with rice or vermicelli, cooked in coconut milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar, garnished with cashews and raisins.
- Where to Try: Sadya meals at restaurants, local eateries like Sree Krishna Hotel.
- Price Range: ₹50–₹100
- Why You Should Try It: The rich, creamy texture of Payasam makes it a perfect ending to any Kerala meal.
- Best Time: After meals (especially during Onam Sadya)
8. Malabar Parotta and Beef Fry
- What It Is: Malabar Parotta is a layered flatbread served with Beef Fry (spicy fried beef pieces).
- Where to Try: Kottayi, Malabar Hotel, Kairali Bar.
- Price Range: ₹100–₹250
- Why You Should Try It: The crispy, soft parotta paired with the tender, spicy beef fry is a popular combination in Palakkad.
- Best Time: Lunch or Dinner
9. Fried Fish (Meen Varuthathu)
- What It Is: Fish, typically Karimeen (pearl spot) or Kingfish, marinated with spices and shallow fried to a crispy texture.
- Where to Try: Malabar Hotel, Madhuram Restaurant.
- Price Range: ₹150–₹300
- Why You Should Try It: A crispy and flavorful dish, offering a taste of Kerala’s finest seafood.
- Best Time: Lunch or Dinner
10. Dosa with Sambar and Coconut Chutney
- What It Is: Dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, served with sambar (spicy lentil soup) and coconut chutney.
- Where to Try: Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Hotel Ganapathy.
- Price Range: ₹50–₹150
- Why You Should Try It: A classic Kerala breakfast dish that provides a burst of flavors from the spicy sambar and refreshing chutney.
- Best Time: Breakfast or Brunch
Bonus Food to Try:
- Chappathi with Vegetable Kurma: Soft wheat flatbreads paired with a flavorful vegetable kurma curry.
- Kalamari (Squid) Fry: Spicy fried squid, served as a side dish or appetizer.
- Unniyappam: Sweet, fried dumplings made from rice flour, jaggery, and banana, often enjoyed as a snack.
Tips for Enjoying Palakkad’s Food:
- Spice Level: Kerala food is known for its bold spices. If you prefer less spice, be sure to mention it while ordering.
- Local Sweets: Don’t forget to try Palakkad’s traditional sweets, like Unniyappam, available at most local sweet shops.
- Traditional Meals: Enjoy a Sadya (feast) if you visit during festivals like Onam, where a wide variety of dishes is served on a banana leaf.
These top 10 dishes will introduce you to the authentic flavors of Palakkad and Kerala, making your visit an unforgettable culinary experience!