Not just another Kochi food and shopping guide (Promise!)

cho?” which means, “Have you seen Kochi?” Well, you really can’t say yes without trying these dishes. And if you think you can, you’re mistaken, dear. Because a place is best understood through its cuisine. In Kochi, food isn’t just about filling your stomach; it’s about filling your heart.

Now, there are plenty of blogs out there telling you where to eat Appam and Stew or Malabar Parotta. But this isn’t just another guide. Think of it as a local’s handwritten map for authentic food, curated by The Hosteller. Read on to decode more.

What to expect from Kochi food?

If Kerala is "God’s Own Country," Fort Kochi is its dining room. This historic town has absorbed influences from Arabs, Jews, Portuguese, Dutch, and British and it reflects beautifully in the flavours. Coconut is everywhere. Fresh, grated, roasted, blended into gravy. EVERYWHERE! Curry leaves crackle in hot coconut oil. The dishes are spicy, but not in a burn-your-mouth way. The spice is warm, gentle, and always balanced. Seafood is king here. Meals are usually served on banana leaves, and the best way to eat? By hand. It makes the food taste even better. Promise!

Here are our top 9 recommendations:

1. Karimeen Pollichathu

This dish is famous for a reason. Pearl spot fish marinated with fiery masala, wrapped in a banana leaf and pan-fried until smoky. Crack open the leaf and breathe in that incredible aroma. The flesh inside is tender, flaking off with just a gentle touch. It’s perfect with boiled rice and a squeeze of lime. You need to eat this one with your hands to enjoy it fully.

Doesn’t it make you want to take the first delicious bite?

2. Kalan

A thick curry made with yam and raw banana, simmered in yogurt and coconut gravy, seasoned with pepper and cumin. It’s sour, creamy, and full of textures. Commonly served during Sadyas, but some places offer it year-round. 

 3. Thalassery Biryani

This dish can be made with any meat. It features short-grain jeerakasala rice, tender meat, and spices that enhance rather than overpower, dancing around your palate. It’s lighter than Hyderabadi biryani and is often topped with cashews and fried raisins.

Every bite of Thalassery Biryani is worth the hype

4. Idiyirachi Puttu

A twist on the classic puttu, this version is stuffed with slow-cooked shredded chicken seasoned with pepper and spices. Every bite is soft, spicy, and slightly smoky. This dish isn’t found in many places, but when you do spot it, you must order it.

5. Fish Mango Curry

This curry is pure coastal comfort. Fresh fish is cooked with raw mango in a coconut-based gravy. It’s tangy, mildly spicy, and incredibly smooth. The mango adds a gentle sourness that keeps you coming back for just one more spoonful. 

Tangy mango and fish is a combo you didn’t know you needed

6. Chakka Kuru Manga Curry

This is a vegetarian gem. Tender jackfruit seeds cooked with raw mangoes in a coconut-spiced gravy. Creamy, tangy, and earthy, it’s a dish locals eagerly await when jackfruit season comes around.

7. Prawn Moilee

Golden prawns swimming in a delicate coconut milk curry, lightly spiced with green chilies and curry leaves. It’s creamy and light, making it perfect for anyone who prefers milder spice. Best paired with appam or rice. 

Golden prawns swimming in creamy coconut curry

 8. Chakka Pradhaman

A rich jackfruit pudding made with ripe jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut milk. It’s decadent, sticky, and has the deep flavour of caramelised fruit, often served with a drizzle of ghee and crunchy bits of coconut.

 9. Unnakaya

A Malabar special. Ripe bananas are mashed and filled with sweet coconut, nuts, and raisins, then deep-fried until golden. Crispy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside, it’s perfect paired with a cup of chai.

Crispy outside, soft and sweet inside

Where to eat?

1. Fusion Bay

Locals come here for the seafood. Their Karimeen Pollichathu and Prawn Moilee are true standouts. The vibe is casual, and the staff will happily explain the dishes. The fresh catch of the day is always a solid choice.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 1 minute (270 m)

2. Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe

An institution for biryani lovers. Their Thalassery Biryani is a must-try. The interiors are simple, the service is quick, and the smell of ghee and spices greets you as soon as you walk in.
Pro tip: Arrive before noon or you might miss out.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 8 minutes (1.9 km)

3. Ginger House

If you want traditional dishes with a view, this is the place for you. Sit by the water and order the Fish Mango Curry and Unnakaya. The ambiance is peaceful, and their antique shop next door is worth a visit.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 10 minutes (2.5 km)

Ginger House Museum Boutique Hotel, Kerala  

4. Kashi Art Cafe

It’s more than just a hangout for art lovers. Their breakfast puttu is fluffy and light, and their vegetarian options, like Olan and Koorka Mezhukkupuratti, are surprisingly delightful. Don’t leave without sampling their homemade cakes and strong filter coffee.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 1 minute (200 m)

Where to shop in Kochi?

1. Jew Town, Mattancherry

Here you’ll find everything from ancient wooden furniture and brass lamps to old maps and jewellery. The narrow lanes are lined with charming stores where time seems to slow down. If you’re lucky, you might stumble upon a rare collectible or two—perfect souvenirs that carry a slice of Kochi’s rich history.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 10 minutes (2.7 km)

2. Princess Street

Lined with colorful colonial buildings, this street boasts small boutiques and craft stores. Pick up handwoven Kerala sarees, kasavu dhotis, handmade jewellery, and even organic coconut oil. It’s a great place to casually wander.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 2 minutes (270 m)

Take a piece of Kochi home from Princess Street

3. Broadway Market

A maze of narrow lanes filled with shops selling everything under the sun—from dried fish and banana chips to coir products and traditional snacks. If you want banana chips fried in fresh coconut oil, this is the place to go.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 35 minutes (7.5 km)

4. Lulu Mall

You can find everything from branded clothing to Kerala’s famous halwa and snacks here. The Lulu Hypermarket downstairs is ideal for spices, pickles, and packaged Kerala goodies.

Drive time from The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge: 40 minutes (23 km)

Lulu Mall, Kochi

Now that you’ve read this, we’re guessing you’re already interested. Now pack your bags and start planning that trip! Need a perfect itinerary? Check out our 3-day Kochi guide.

After all that eating, you’ll need a cosy place to crash. That’s where The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge comes in. This spot is perfect for young backpackers and solo travellers looking for good vibes on a budget

So, Kochi kazhicho? (Have you seen Kochi?”) Not yet? Time to change that.