Must-Try Dishes on Your Trip to Periyar National Park

By JAGAT : [18/Oct/24] Periyar National Park is a lush paradise teeming with wildlife, serene lakes, and endless stretches of greenery. Thekkady, where this incredible destination is located, offers a tranquil escape with mist-covered hills, spice plantations, and scenic landscapes. Whether you choose to cruise along the Periyar Lake, spot elephants in their natural habitat, or trek through thick forests, Thekkady enchants you with its raw beauty. It’s not just the wilderness that makes this destination special - Thekkady also offers a culinary journey that’s just as exciting as the safari experience.

Kerala’s food is as vibrant and diverse as the state itself, with flavors ranging from tangy fish curries to wholesome vegetarian feasts. Coconut, curry leaves, and aromatic spices dominate most dishes, making every meal a treat to the senses. Thekkady is no exception to Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. Here, you’ll find traditional delicacies like appam with stew, seafood cooked in banana leaves, and warm bowls of spiced tea, perfect after a day in the wild. The unique blend of local ingredients and cooking methods gives every dish a story, adding depth to your travel experience. So, along with exploring the wildlife of Periyar, don’t forget to indulge in these mouthwatering dishes that define Kerala’s soul!

Create Delicious Memories at Periyar National Park

It feels so good to look forward to diving into a plate full of flavourful eatables after alighting a thrilling wildlife safari. The Periyar boat safari is preferred the most by tourists, which is carried out in multiple slots. Stepping down from the boat, and directly heading to the resort or any restaurant near the national park adds a pinch of excitement to the entire trip, especially if you are coming from other parts of the country.

Appam with Stew - A quintessential breakfast in Kerala, appam is a soft, spongy pancake made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk. Paired with a mildly spiced vegetable or chicken stew, this dish offers a delightful combination of flavors. Its light texture makes it a perfect meal before a morning safari in Periyar.

Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot Fish) - Karimeen Pollichathu is a regional delicacy where pearl spot fish is marinated with spices and cooked inside banana leaves. This method locks in flavors, giving the fish a smoky aroma and tangy taste. If you enjoy seafood, this is a must-have dish while in Thekkady.

Malabar Parotta with Beef Fry - The flaky, layered Malabar parotta is best enjoyed with Kerala-style beef fry. The beef is slow-cooked with black pepper, curry leaves, and coconut slivers, creating a dish that’s packed with bold flavors and texture.

Kerala Sadya (Traditional Feast) - If you want to experience the full spectrum of Kerala’s culinary tradition, a sadya is the way to go. This vegetarian feast includes rice and multiple curries such as sambar, avial, thoran, and pachadi, along with pickles and banana chips. Traditionally served on a banana leaf, a sadya is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Puttu with Kadala Curry - Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake layered with grated coconut, served with spicy black chickpea curry (kadala curry). The combination of the fluffy puttu and the bold, earthy flavors of kadala makes it a popular breakfast choice in Thekkady.

Ela Ada (Sweet Rice Pancakes) - For those with a sweet tooth, Ela Ada is a must-try traditional snack. Made from rice flour dough filled with jaggery and grated coconut, it is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, giving it a unique aroma and taste.

Spiced Tea and Coffee - Thekkady’s proximity to lush tea and coffee plantations makes it the perfect place to sip some authentic Kerala-style spiced beverages. Masala tea and filter coffee, often flavored with cardamom, are refreshing options after a day of exploring the park.

Fresh Toddy (Palm Wine) - For adventurous travelers, trying fresh toddy (fermented palm sap) is a unique experience. It's a traditional alcoholic beverage with a slightly sour taste, served fresh from the palm trees. Be sure to enjoy it in a responsible manner.