MildAppam with Stew
VegLacy, bowl-shaped fermented rice appams with a gently spiced coconut-milk vegetable (or chicken) stew.
₹80–220
Best around: Fort Kochi
Eat in Kochi
What to Eat in Kochi Today?
Search Kochi dishes by craving — appam with stew, karimeen pollichathu, kerala fish curry (meen curry) and more.
Kochi is one of the best places in India to eat Kerala food. Coconut, curry leaves, black pepper and fresh seafood from the harbour shape most dishes, and the city's long mix of communities means you can eat a Syrian Christian breakfast, a fish lunch and a vegetarian feast in a single day.
If you are wondering what to eat in Kochi, start with the local breakfasts and the seafood you will not find done the same way anywhere else.
Popular cravings
Diet
Best for
5 Kochi dishes found
Mild
Medium spiceKarimeen Pollichathu
Non-vegPearl-spot fish marinated in Kerala spices and grilled in a banana leaf — a backwater delicacy.
₹250–500
Best around: Fort Kochi
HotKerala Fish Curry (Meen Curry)
Non-vegFish simmered in a fiery, tangy gravy of coconut, kokum (kudampuli) and chilli — Kerala coast on a plate.
₹180–400
Best around: Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
Medium spiceKerala Sadya
VegA grand vegetarian feast of rice and a dozen-plus curries, pickles and payasam, served on a banana leaf.
₹150–400
MildPuttu & Kadala Curry
VegSteamed cylinders of rice-and-coconut puttu with a spiced black-chickpea kadala curry — a hearty Kerala breakfast.
₹60–150
Best around: Panampilly Nagar and Fort Kochi
Famous Food to Eat in Kochi
Kerala food is built on rice, coconut and spice. Try these dishes during your visit.
Appam with Stew
Appam is a soft, bowl-shaped pancake made from fermented rice batter, with lacy, crisp edges and a spongy centre. It is usually served with a mild coconut-milk stew of vegetables or chicken, and is a favourite breakfast across Kochi.
Puttu and Kadala Curry
Puttu is steamed rice flour layered with grated coconut, pushed out of its mould in a neat cylinder. It comes with kadala curry, a spiced black chickpea curry, and makes a filling start to the day.
Karimeen Pollichathu
Karimeen, or pearl spot, is a freshwater fish from Kerala's backwaters. For pollichathu, it is coated in a spicy masala, wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked on a pan until the flavours soak in. It is one of the dishes Kochi is best known for.
Kerala Fish Curry (Meen Curry)
A red, tangy fish curry cooked with chilli, coconut and kudampuli, a sour fruit also known as Malabar tamarind. It is usually eaten with plain rice and is often hotter than visitors expect.
Kerala Sadya
A vegetarian feast of rice with many small dishes, pickles, pappadam and payasam, served on a banana leaf and eaten with your right hand. It is the centrepiece of Onam, and some restaurants serve it at lunchtime all year.
Cafés and Snacks in Kochi
Fort Kochi has plenty of relaxed cafés in old colonial houses, many with art on the walls, which make easy stops between sights. For something more local, small tea shops serve strong, sweet tea and fried snacks through the day. Fresh coconut water from roadside sellers is the best way to cool down on a hot afternoon.
Food Tips for Travellers in Kochi
- Eat appam or puttu for breakfast, as many places run out by mid-morning.
- Ask for the catch of the day at seafood restaurants, and check the price by weight before you order.
- Ask for milder spice if you are not used to Kerala chilli, especially with fish curry.
- Try a sadya at lunchtime, when it is usually served.
- Coconut oil is used in much Kerala cooking, so the taste may be new to you.
- Carry some cash for small eateries and tea shops.
Questions
Kochi — FAQ
What food is Kochi famous for?
Kochi is known for appam with stew, puttu and kadala curry, karimeen pollichathu, Kerala fish curry and the vegetarian sadya, along with plenty of fresh seafood from the harbour.
What is karimeen pollichathu?
It is pearl spot fish coated in a spicy masala, wrapped in a banana leaf and pan-cooked. The leaf keeps the fish moist and gives it a light smoky flavour.
Is it easy to find vegetarian food in Kochi?
Yes. Appam with vegetable stew, puttu and kadala curry, and the sadya are all vegetarian, and most restaurants have vegetarian options. Coastal restaurants do focus on seafood, so check menus before you sit down.
What is a typical Kerala breakfast in Kochi?
The classic breakfasts are appam with stew and puttu with kadala curry. Both are served early, and popular places often sell out by mid-morning.