Kerala’s connection with middle east countries started in pre-Islamic age due to middle eastern merchandise. It is estimated that there are around 2.5 million Keralites are in gulf countries as of now. The relation between Keralites and these countries impacted Kerala’s economy, culture, and lifestyle a lot. Apart from these, Kerala witnessed a massive change in its food style which inherited from these Arabian countries. There is a surge in Arabian hotels and restaurants recently in Kerala due to their love of Arabian foods. You can witness these in both the north and south parts of Kerala these days. Despite Kerala’s traditional dishes, these foods recorded a major place in Malayalees food consumption. Here is a list of top foods which originated from middle east countries that you can spot everywhere easily in Kerala.
Shawarma
Shawarma, the evening snack food consists of small cuts of marinated lamb, beef, or chicken rolled in bread or Kuboos with vegetables. The raw meats usually keep in a cone tower and heat it slowly by rotating it. It is accompanied by fries and salads. You can spot this middle eastern cuisine easily in every part of Kerala.
Kuboos
Kuboos aka khubz is a kind of bread which commonly use in every country in the middle east. You can spot this flat round bread in every Arabian restaurant in Kerala these days. Its usually served or filled with Meat, Chicken Alfaham, Tandoori, or Kebab. This Arabian bread usually baked in ovens and made with wheat flours in Kerala.
Mandi
The Mandi food consists of rice with lamb, beef, or chicken usually spot in restaurants of Kerala.This Yemen food used to cook in an underground pit(Kuzhi).It includes a lot of spices along with meat and rice. Kuzhi mandi is the word used for mandi food in Kerala. You can spot this food in special events like eid or marriages apart from restaurants.
Chicken Alfaham
This middle eastern food considered the Arabian barbequed chicken which is common in Kerala. Chicken usually press first and keep in grilled. It is different from grilled chicken in taste and the marinades included. Mayonaise usually serves with it in Kerala tables.
Kabsa
Kabsa or Kabsah is a Saudi Arabian dish. Ths meaning of Kabsah is press or squeeze.Rice, vegetables, meats, and spices are used to cook and made by pressing or squeezing. You can spot this in traditional banana leaves in some places of Kerala along with pickle, powder, and chutneys.
Kebab
Kebab, originated from the middle east and can find in various countries across the globe. It consists of various cooked or grilled meats along with spices. Chicken kebab is the common kebab served in Kerala along with other dishes. Kalmi kebab, Shami kebab, Kakori kebab are other variants you can see in India.
Sulaimani Tea
The meaning of Sulaimani is peace in Arabic. As it says the Sulaimani tea aka Sulaimani chai is a peaceful drink and great detox to the mind and body. This light-colored black tea which usually see in Malabar part of Kerala. It consists of tea leaves, lemon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon which gives a special taste and energetic mood.