Kerala food in Berlin: what to try first
When most people think of Indian food, they think of creamy sauces and naan. The food of Kerala, the green coastal state in India's south-west, tastes different: fresher, with coconut, curry leaves and black pepper.
What is Kerala food?
Kerala lies on the Malabar Coast, which was famous for its spices centuries ago. Pepper, cardamom, cloves and ginger still grow there today. Typical for the cuisine:
- Coconut in every form: freshly grated, as a paste, as coconut milk and as oil.
- Curry leaves and mustard seeds, crackled in hot coconut oil at the end and poured over the dish.
- A fine sourness from tamarind, green mango or dried kudampuli fruit.
The classics to try
- Porotta with beef roast: porotta is a crisp, layered flatbread. With it comes slow-cooked beef with pepper, fennel and coconut slices. A combination almost everyone in Kerala loves. Read porotta and beef roast, explained.
- Biryani: fragrant rice with meat or vegetables. The Kerala version is aromatic but not hot.
- Street food to share: samosas, pakoda, cutlets, banana fritters (pazhampori) or paneer chilli.
- Something vegetarian with coconut, for example a vegetable dish or Gobi Manchurian.
Our menu changes, so look at the menu page for what is on the stove today. For the breads and staples, see pathiri, puttu and kappa.
Vegetarian and vegan
Kerala has a large vegetarian tradition. If you eat vegan, ask, because ghee, yoghurt and buttermilk are widely used in Indian cooking. Tell us and we will honestly tell you what is vegan that day.
Pre-order and visit
On the website you can pre-order takeaway or a table with a time, so everything is ready when you arrive. At the table you order by QR code. For celebrations and larger groups there is our catering.
You find us at Petersburger Str. 39, 10249 Berlin. Read more about Kerala's cuisine on our Kerala page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kerala food hot? It is aromatic. The heat depends on the dish, and you can tell us how hot you like it.
What should I order first? Porotta with beef roast, a biryani and something from the street-food list to share.
Is there vegetarian Kerala food? Yes, a lot: chickpea curry, vegetable kuruma, paneer dishes and more.
