What to Eat in Alleppey (Alappuzha) Today?

Famous Food to Eat in Alleppey

Kerala food here is coconut-rich, tangy and often spicy. These are the dishes to look for.

Karimeen Pollichathu

Pearl-spot fish marinated in spices, wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked on a pan. It is the dish most closely tied to the backwaters, and many houseboat cooks make it too.

Chemmeen (Prawn) Curry

Prawns cooked in a sour, red coconut gravy flavoured with kudampuli, a dried fruit that gives Kerala fish curries their tang. Eat it with plenty of rice.

Kappa and Meen Curry

Boiled tapioca mashed with coconut, served with a fiery red fish curry. It is simple, filling everyday food, and a classic order at toddy shops.

Appam and Stew

Soft rice pancakes with lacy edges, served with a mild coconut-milk stew of vegetables or chicken. It is a breakfast dish, so go early.

Kerala Sadya

A vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, with rice, sambar, avial, thoran, olan, pickles, pappadam and payasam. It is the meal to try during Onam.

Toddy Shops and Houseboat Meals

Toddy shops, the simple canal-side places that serve palm toddy, are also known for spicy fish, duck and tapioca dishes. If you are on a houseboat, the crew usually cooks Kerala meals on board, often with fish bought along the way.

Food Tips for Travellers in Alleppey

• Order karimeen at least once; it is the signature fish of the region.
• Kerala curries can be spicy, so ask for less chilli if you prefer.
• Go early for appam and stew, as it is mainly a breakfast dish.
• Vegetarians can rely on a sadya or a vegetarian meals plate at lunchtime.
• On a houseboat, tell the crew about any food preferences before you set off.
• Carry some cash for smaller eateries and toddy shops.