Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Kasaragod offers a vibrant blend of Kerala, Tulu, Malabari, and Mangalorean influences in its food, and its markets reflect the region’s coastal and cultural richness. From spicy seafood curries to sweet banana chips, and from handwoven sarees to coconut-based products, Kasaragod promises both a delicious and delightful shopping experience.

 Best Food to Try in Kasaragod

1️ Malabar & Coastal Cuisine

Kasaragod is part of the Malabar coast, known for rich, spicy, and coconut-based food, especially seafood.

✅ Must-Try Dishes:

• Meen Curry (Fish Curry) – Made with coconut, tamarind, and spices.
• Kallummakkaya (Mussels Fry) – A local seafood delicacy.
• Chemmeen Roast (Prawn Curry) – Spicy and tangy prawn preparation.
• Pathiri with Chicken Curry – Rice-based flatbread served with gravy.
• Neychoru (Ghee Rice) & Chicken Fry – A popular Muslim-style meal.

 Where to Eat:

• Viceroy Restaurant (Kanhangad) – Great for traditional Kerala meals.
• Oxy Lounge (Bekal) – Multi-cuisine, clean ambiance.
• Hotel City Tower (Kasaragod Town) – Budget-friendly, local specialties.
• Local Toddy Shops – For authentic seafood and spicy bites (ask locals for clean, reputed ones).

2️ Tulu & Mangalorean-Inspired Cuisine

Being close to Karnataka, Kasaragod enjoys Tulu and Udupi-style dishes.

✅ Popular Items:

• Neer Dosa with Chicken Sukka – Soft dosas with spicy chicken.
• Kori Rotti – Dry rice crisps with chicken gravy.
• Sajja Roti – Traditional millet flatbread.

3️ Sweet Treats & Snacks

✅ Must-Try:

• Unnakaya – Banana and coconut sweet snack.
• Kaipola – Banana egg pudding.
• Chatti Pathiri – Layered sweet or spicy pastry (like a Malabari lasagna).
• Banana Chips & Jackfruit Chips – Famous Kerala snacks.

 Best Shopping Experiences in Kasaragod

1️ Kasaragod Sarees (Handloom Paradise)

• Why Buy? The traditional Kasaragod handloom sarees are durable, colorful, and elegant with simple designs and broad borders.
• Where to Buy:
  • Kasaragod Weavers’ Cooperative Society
  • Local Handloom Shops in Kanhangad and Kasaragod Town
• Best For: Cultural souvenirs, gifts for loved ones.

2️ Spices & Homemade Pickles

• Kerala is India’s spice capital, and Kasaragod has its fair share of fragrant offerings.

✅ Popular Items:

• Black Pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, and Cloves
• Homemade Mango, Lime, and Fish Pickles
• Coconut Oil & Dried Coconut Products

 Where to Buy:

• Kasaragod Town Market
• Kanhangad Spice Shops
• Local farms and co-op stores

3️ Traditional Art & Handicrafts

• Wooden carvings, coir crafts, and coconut shell art make unique take-home pieces.
• Bronze lamps and idols are also crafted by local artisans.

 Where to Buy:

• Kasaragod Handicraft Emporium
• Temple-side shops near Bekal and Ananthapura
• Weekly village markets

4️ Spicy Snacks & Packaged Delights

• Mixture, Tapioca Chips, Banana Chips – Freshly made and packed.
• Coconut Jaggery Sweets – Local energy bars with earthy flavors.
• Halwa (Black Halwa, Jackfruit Halwa) – Sticky, chewy treats sold in slabs.

 Available At:

• Local bakeries
• Town markets
• Highway snack shops

5️ Local Markets & Shopping Streets

 Top Markets:

 Great Souvenirs to Bring from Kasaragod

• ✅ Handloom Sarees & Lungis
• ✅ Spices & Ayurvedic Products
• ✅ Coconut Shell Bowls
• ✅ Banana Chips & Halwa
• ✅ Bronze Oil Lamps & Artifacts

 Travel & Shopping Tips

• ✔️ Visit local markets in the morning for fresh produce and snacks.
• ✔️ Always ask for vacuum packing if you're carrying food/snacks on flights.
• ✔️ Bargain gently in local markets, but respect handmade craft pricing.
• ✔️ Eat seafood only at trusted, clean places to avoid tummy troubles.
• ✔️ Carry cash in rural markets — digital payment may not be available everywhere.

Kasaragod offers a mouthwatering mix of Kerala’s coastal cuisine, authentic handloom shopping, and village-market charm. Whether you're tasting a spicy prawn roast, sipping tender coconut water by the beach, or picking up a colorful handwoven saree, you'll experience the true essence of Kerala's northern soul in Kasaragod.