Chef Regi Mathew of Kappa Chakka Kandhari tell us about three little-known regional dishes from Kerala, and where to eat them.
When we think about food from Kerala, we first think about parottas and appam, beef chilli fry and ishtew, polichattu and payasam. But the state offers so so much more than its most advertised dishes.
1. Paal kappa with erachi curry
Subtle, delicate tapioca cooked in creamy coconut milk is paired with spiced beef rib curry. “It looks so simple, but the flavour is so good!” says chef Regi.
Have it at: Pathirakozhi Restaurant, FACT Kalamassery Rd, Opposite BSNL exchange, North Kalamassery, Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala. Tel: 098469 24000
2. Pazhampori with beef round curry
“The sweetness of the banana fritter snack alongside the spicy beef curry is a meal unto itself,” says chef Regi. A version of this dish is available on the menu of Kappa Chakka Kandhari. “We are purely inspired by the food of Kerala, so every time I find a new thing, I try to refine it and put it on our menu.”
Have it at: Sree Muruga Cafe, Mini Bypass Tripunithura Road, Poonithura, Thrippunithura, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala. Tel: 094466 10055. Also at Mohanan Tea Shop, Pala-Kozha, Pala-Vaikom Road, Vallichira village in Kottayam district, Kerala.
3. Vettu cake, pappadam, and mutton curry
Vettu cake is a fried, sweet-ish cake typically eaten at tea time. Chef Regi loves how it’s served at Ezuthani, a locally famous and very popular shop. The pakoda-like starchy, sugared snack is matched with a hearty, meaty mutton curry with ginger, chillies, and onion, alongside salty, crunchy papadum. (We’re seeing a theme here. Are you?)
Have it at: Kollam – Thirumangalam Rd, Keralapuram, Kerala. Tel: 094957 52897
