Backwater Bites

Discover the flavors of Kerala’s backwaters, one soulful dish at a time

In Kerala’s backwaters, food is more than sustenance—it is a soulful expression of geography, tradition, and the intimate bond between people and water. Ekathra’s backwater culinary journey invites you to taste this heritage, shaped by generations of home cooks, fisherfolk, and coastal communities whose lives revolve around the tides.

The experience begins in the villages nestled along the canals and lakes, where kitchens come alive with the aroma of spices, coconut, and freshly caught fish. Here, recipes are not just handed down—they are lived, shared, and constantly reinterpreted through the rhythm of the seasons and the day’s catch.

Fishing—whether by lines, nets, or the iconic Chinese fishing nets—is an essential part of this story. Not just for commerce, but as a daily ritual that brings home the freshest ingredients for dishes like fiery meen curry, gently stewed karimeen pollichathu wrapped in banana leaves, or mussels simmered with roasted coconut and tamarind. You’ll learn how the method of catch influences the flavor and texture—and how each family or community adds its own twist to age-old preparations.

Journey by boat to hidden kitchens and floating platforms where food is cooked and served amidst the waters themselves. Sit with local hosts who open not only their kitchens, but also their stories—of how fishing supports family life, how traditions have evolved, and how the water continues to nourish both body and soul.

This isn’t a food tour. It’s a deeply local, sensory exploration of a cuisine shaped by canals and culture—where every meal is a memory, every flavor a reflection of life on the water.