Hankering for something new? Henna Achhpal tells you why Malabar Koast in Prabhadevi might be worth trying out...
Bringing authentic flavours from God’s own country, Kerala to Mumbai — Malabar Koast is a small, blink and miss eatery in Prabhadevi. However, finding it is not so hard since it is located on the same road as the new passport office. The eatery is a must try for two reasons. First, it’s a must visit for those who crave authentic Kerala food in Mumbai and second for those who like to try new cuisines because Malabar Koast definitely does not disappoint.
Going by first impressions, we had absolutely no expectations from this humble restaurant. However what scored them brownie points was the fact that they have made a big effort to keep it as authentic and true to its origins as possible. Starting with a banana leaf on your dining plate to the entire menu — everything makes you feel like you’re in the beautiful South. If you’re a newbie and don’t know much about Kerala’s cuisine, the helpful staff are more than willing to explain and help you decide on your meal.
Within moments we had a number of scrumptious dishes on our table. Starting with Kerakam (`40) which is coconut milk laced with mild herbs that tasted almost like buttermilk. But it is delicious in its own right. The next item was Kappa (`65) which is a starter — pieces of tapioca served in red or green chutney.
The main course comprised of Ulli Varutharacha Kurry (`115), a curry of small onions with fried coconut and other spices. We also tried the traditional Rasam (`65) which is diluted extracts of tamarind, simmered with aromatic spices. Lastly, Kozhy Roast (`190) which is marinated chicken deep fried with cloves, cinnamon, ginger and garlic paste. All of this was had with Aappam (`30) and Nei Choru Rice (`50) and concluded on a sweet note with Ada Pradhaman (`75), a type of kheer made with milk, jaggery and ada.
Malabar Koast may look small but it is definitely a must try. However, if you are planning to go this weekend, a word of caution — make sure you have a few hours to spare for a nap after as the rice and coconut heavy meal is sure to make you drowsy.