What Are The Must-Try Foods When Visiting Kozhikode?

Kozhikode is not just a destination for sunsets and shorelines. It is a place where food tells you stories. Stories of ancient spice trade, of Arab and Portuguese influences, of homely kitchens and street vendors.

If you’re wondering what is the best food to try when visiting Kozhikode, the bold and flavorful Kallummakkaya Fry should top your list. This crispy fried mussels dish is marinated with spices and packs a punch. Erachi Pathiri, a deep-fried flatbread stuffed with minced meat, is equally irresistible.

Think that was tempting? Stick around because what’s coming next might just convince you to settle in this city.

Spicy, Sweet & Everything Kozhikode

• Kozhikodan Biriyani

  There is no missing this dish. Kozhikodan Biriyani is a badge of honour for the place. Fragrant rice, tender meat, caramelised onions and the unmistakable aroma of spices make this dish a festival on your plate.

  Do not expect the colours you might find in other biryanis. This one is muted and soft-looking. But when you take a bite, there is a certain warmth that spreads inside you. Words fall short of explaining this delicious journey.

  If you’re searching for the best place to eat Kozhikodan biriyani in Calicut, look no further than My place restaurant, Gokulam Grand. Pair it with sweet-sour date chutney and a raita and you will understand why it is the pride of every Malabari wedding and celebration. We do absolute justice to this local legend!

• Kallummakkaya Fry

  The coastline of Kozhikode has plenty of gifts and mussels top the list. Locally known as Kallummakkaya, these are harvested fresh and cooked in a riot of flavours.

  The fry version, deep brown, slightly crisp at the edges, coated in a masala made of shallots, pepper, curry leaves and grated coconut, is something else entirely.

  You mostly find it as a side, but frankly, it steals the spotlight. Eaten with hot rice or on its own, Kallummakkaya Fry is the kind of dish that makes you stop mid-sentence just to savour slowly. It is not subtle and it does not try to be.

• Naadan Oonu

  Naadan Oonu literally means ‘traditional meal’ and it is everything you need for lunch. Served lovingly on a banana leaf, it is a wholesome spread that reflects the heart and heritage of Kerala.

  It has everything: rice, sambar, thoran (stir-fried veggies), pachadi (yoghurt-based side), pickles, pappadam, payasam… and so much more. It can also have fish curry or fry.

  Every spoonful is a dance of flavours. Sour, sweet, spicy, bitter and salty, all perfectly balanced. It is a meal that fills your belly and your soul.

• Fish Mango Curry

  Coastal cuisine does not get better than this. You might think this fish curry is just another fish curry. Well, one mouthful and you will realise it is anything but ordinary.

  It is a dish cooked with raw mangoes, lending it a tang that makes your lips pucker and your heart sing. The fish, generally seer or mackerel, is simmered in coconut gravy along with green mango slices, turmeric, green chillies and mustard seeds.

  The result is a curry that tastes like summer, home and satisfaction, all in one. Light and fresh with a kick. Eat it with red rice and maybe a crispy fish fry on the side. And, let the heat slow you down.

• Appam With Mutton Stew

  Soft, lacy appams with crispy edges and a fluffy centre, teamed up with a bowl of slow-simmered mutton stew, is an absolute comfort food.

  The stew, creamy with coconut milk, is delicately spiced with just enough warmth from pepper, cinnamon and green chillies to tickle your palate.

  The mutton? Fall-off-the-bone tender. The contrast between the appam and the stew creates an experience that stays with you, always and forever. Anyone visiting Kozhikode should treat themselves to this soulful pairing at least once.

• Chatti Pathiri

  Chatti Pathiri is like Malabar’s answer to lasagna but made with love and a touch of indulgence.

  This layered pastry is prepared with thin sheets of crepe, stacked with a filling of spiced, sweetened meat or eggs and then cooked till the layers meld into a soft, flavourful whole.

  This dish usually graces the table during Ramadan and Eid, but trust us, it is too delightful to be restricted to just one month.

  The sweet version, often infused with cardamom and rose water, can take you by surprise with its depth. Each layer soaks up flavour, becoming soft and melt-in-the-mouth.

• Erachi Pathiri

  Take a bite of an Erachi Pathiri and you will hear it… the crunch. A crispy, golden-brown shell holding inside spicy minced meat.

  You will taste a flood of flavours that are smoky, warm and delectable. Every household in Kozhikode has their own version and every single one is worth trying.

  This deep-fried snack pairs beautifully with evening tea or as a sidekick to a full-blown meal. Usually eaten during special occasions, it carries with it the mood of festivity and cheer.

• Mutta Mala & Mutta Surka

  How about a dish that turns eggs into delicate golden threads and soft steamed cakes. Sounds impossible? Well, welcome to Mutta Mala and Mutta Surka.

  The yolks are carefully piped into boiling sugar syrup to form lace-like strands, while the whites are steamed into soft, snowy cakes. It is said that the Portuguese inspired this creation, but Kozhikode made it its own.

  Together, they form a duo that is almost poetic in presentation. Served during weddings and special gatherings, these are desserts that require skill and patience and are completely worth the wait.

• Mutton Cutlet

  A well-made mutton cutlet is pure bliss on a plate. Crisped on the outside with breadcrumbs and tender and meaty inside, it strikes a lovely balance between spice and satisfaction.

  This flavoursome snack is cooked with minced mutton, mashed potato, black pepper and onions. Kozhikode bakeries do these just right… hot, golden and ready to vanish in minutes.

  The mutton cutlet can hold its ground as a tea-time companion or an appetiser at a gathering.

• Kozhikodan Halwa

  Head to SM Street (Sweet Meat Street) and you will be pulled in by the smell before you even spot the shops. Giant trays of brightly coloured halwa sit on display including mango, coconut, banana and more.

  The black halwa, rich with ghee and deep caramelised flavour, is a sweet treat you should not miss. Locals swear by this dessert and once you try it, you will, too.

  All the halwa is chewy but not sticky, sweet but not overwhelming. And, no matter how full you are, you will end up taking a box home. It travels well and more importantly, it brings with it a taste of the city’s generous spirit.

• Unnakaya

  A treat from the Malabar Muslim kitchens, Unnakaya is prepared by mashing ripe plantains, shaped into rolls, filled with sweetened coconut, cardamom and cashew nuts, then shallow-fried until golden.

  It is soft, rich and gently sweet. The plantains give them a natural sweetness, while the filling brings texture and warmth.

  But, what makes Unnakaya special is its ability to bring back childhood memories for locals. There is a nostalgia here that is hard to describe, wrapped in love.

• Sulaimani

  After all is said and eaten, you sip Sulaimani. It is not your average cup of tea. This black tea, brewed with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, lime and occasionally mint, is light but aromatic.

  Sulaimani is a staple in Kozhikode’s homes and tea shops. It is not uncommon for friends to gather in the evenings just to chat over rounds of this warming drink.

  It is soothing and slightly spicy, the perfect ending to a rich meal. Locals believe it helps with digestion, but most will tell you they drink it just for the joy of it.

• Ice Orathi

  Ice Orathi is a layered cold dessert made with crushed ice, milk, fruits, dry fruits and sometimes a dash of rose syrup.

  It is messy. It is colourful. It is also a must-try especially during the warm months, when the sun feels like it is a bit too generous. You dig in with a spoon, slurping and chewing and laughing as it melts down your fingers.

  Kids love it. Adults sneak spoonfuls pretending they do not. It is definitely one of those simple pleasures that makes everything better.

• Milk Sarbath

  Under the sweltering Kozhikode sun, a tall glass of Milk Sarbath is nothing short of salvation. This refreshing drink is made from cold milk, sarbath syrup and crushed ice.

  It is a local favourite. It looks simple, but the taste? Absolutely satisfying. The stalls that serve it are often packed during evenings, especially after a day of beach hopping or market strolling.

  Sipping this chilled, creamy drink through a straw, as the ice slowly melts into the syrup can instantly lift your spirits. You sip, sigh and feel like all's right with the world.

  So, enjoy and eat your way through the lanes, markets and hotels of Kozhikode. That’s all from us. Now it is your turn to taste, explore and fall in love with the coastal city!