It’s 9:30 in the morning. Traffic is picking up in the market district of Kozhikode (Calicut) not far from the beach and the fish markets. Stall keepers are pulling up their retractable doors and shops are opening. One of them is Kumari Banana Chips. From across the road we watch a small red-bodied mini-truck with …
If you go to the Bhaskarettante Kada (Brother Bhaskar’s shop) Sarbath shop in Kozhikode, you can order one thing three ways – Milk, Soda or Water Sarbath. That’s it. That’s what they make. And, they’ve been making it very successfully for over six decades. Also known as South India Soda the Malayalam names are paal sarbath …
There are so many fun things to do in Kozhikode (Calicut). Take a virtual trip with us now, and when it’s safe to venture out once more, here’s what we recommend. Check out the Fish Market – We got up at four o’clock in the morning to visit the fish market with Chef Babu of …
Bibin Baby The day we spent touring Kozhikode’s food scene with our local tour guide Bibin Baby is vivid in our minds because everything about it was vibrant. That is, except for the man himself. Bibin Baby was chill. He has a quiet confidence that allows him to be your “guide on the side” instead …
It’s easy to see why Unnakkai – Cotton Balls are such an instant hit with all who try them. Banana fritters stuffed with coconut? Yes, please. There are some recipes that are hard to replicate at home. This one for Unnakkai – Cotton Balls might be one of them. First, these spindle-shaped treats are made …
Arikkadukka – Spicy Stuffed Mussels is one of the most impressive dishes we’ve enjoyed during our travels in South India. And, you can only find them in the Malabar region of Kerala. Kallummakkai or Kadukka are the Malayalam names for mussels. Not only is this dish only found on the Malabar coast, it’s enjoyment is …
It was four thirty in the morning and pitch black when we crawled into Chef Babu’s car. A quick drive down the hill and we crawled back out to roam the huge dock that’s home to Kozhikode’s Fish Auctions. Lights blared from the top riggings down a long line of trawlers backed into the wharf. …
We planned to do our research for Faces, Places and Plates in the off-season. It gave us the chance to access people who would otherwise be too busy to spend time with us. Executive Chef Babu at the Taj Gateway Hotel Beach Road Kozhikode was one of those people. During peak season, his job would …
This Moplah Shrimp Biryani comes together quickly and has two surprising elements. First, you use short grain rice to make it. Second, you present it in a banana leaf. Where North Indian and Persian Biryanis use long grain and basmati rice, the locals on the North Malabar Coast of Kerala use a short grain rice …
Koonthal Varuthatu (Squid Roast) is a Malabar delicacy. Fresh from the Arabian Sea, squid is readily available on the west coast of Kerala. Because Kozhikode is a major fishing port, the city is perfectly situated to take advantage of this bounty. Most of the world has some version of fried or roasted squid. We know …