India is a treasure trove of flavors and culinary traditions influenced by its coastal regions. The coastal cuisine of India offers a vibrant tapestry of tastes, aromas, and textures that are as diverse as the coastal landscapes themselves. The coastal cuisine of India takes food enthusiasts on an incredible gastronomic journey, from the tantalising seafood dishes of Tamil Nadu to the fiery curries of Goa.
1. Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh is well-known for its spicy cuisine. The state's opulent culture, where distinctive food has been created in the Nawabs' kitchen since the state's inception year, acts as inspiration for such delightful culinary variety. Andhra Pradesh's well-known cuisine include rice, vegetables, cereals, seafood, and meat. Furthermore, Andhra food is well-known for its spicy and sour flavour. You can enjoy the iconic Andhra Fish Curry, a tangy and spicy delicacy made with tamarind and a blend of spices, savour the flavoursome Royyala Iguru, a fiery prawn masala, or indulge in the tangy and refreshing Gongura Pachadi, a chutney made from the unique Gongura leaves, when you visit this state.
2. Goa: Goan cuisine is full of spices and the delicious aroma of seafood. The two major dishes are rice and fish curry. Most recipes use coconuts, rice, seafood, as well as indigenous spices such as kokum. Goa's cuisine consists mostly on seafood, such as shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish. You can enjoy the Goan Fish Curry, the utterly delicious Pork Vindaloo which is made up of vinegar-laced pork and simmered in a fiery red stew until flaky and delicate. Additionally, you can also feast on the famous Goan Prawn Curry, a fiery and tangy delicacy made with coconut milk and a medley of spices.
3. Maharashtra: Maharashtrian cuisine is really distinctive, ranging from the coastal delicacies of the Kokan region, where fish curry and rice are staples, to the specialities of the Deccan plateau and fiery Vidharbha in the east. You can savour the flavorful Kolhapuri Fish Curry, which is famous for its fiery red chilli paste and complex spice blend. Bombil Fry (Bombay Duck), a crispy and flavorful fish preparation, or the classic Malvani Prawn Curry, a spicy and aromatic meal enhanced with coconut and kokum.
4. Odisha: Odia cuisine uses less oil and is less spicy, but still flavorful. Rice is the staple food of this region. Mustard oil is used as a cooking medium in some meals, although ghee (produced from cow's milk) is favoured in temples. The delectable dishes prepared using the myriad of fish include Machha Besara- a fish curry prepared with mustard paste, Chunna Machha Jhola- a fish curry, similar to Machha Jhola, but prepared with small smelt fish and Kankada Jhola which is a crab curry, among other dishes.
5. Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu's coastal food features a vivid tapestry of flavours, with an emphasis on aromatic spices. Enjoy the hot and tangy Chettinad Fish Curry, a renowned dish that combines a variety of spices to generate a flavourful explosion. Additioanlly, you can also feat on the comfortable flavour of Meen Kuzhambu, a spicy fish curry with tamarind, and the flavorful Karuveppilai Prawn (curry leaf prawn), which highlights the distinct aroma of curry leaves.