Sabuchettante Thattukada in Kochi

Kochi being a metro city has got its advantages. The financial capital of the state of Kerala is yet another strong suit of this cosmopolitan city. Young aspirants from all over the state come to Kochi in search of jobs and livelihood. A few of the famous IT establishments like Infopart and Smart City have been playing a key role in transpiring Kochi. The city has a lively nightlife to talk about with numerous restaurants and kiosks open through the night. To get to know some of these kiosks and the recipes it offers, we were on the hunt to explore such eateries which are open through the night. After having a few lip-smacking cutlets from one of the kiosks called Luv Cutlet situated outside the Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, we have come to a food spot opposite Al Taza restaurant to have our dinner. Sabuchettante Thattukada in Kochi is a small kiosk which has been introduced to me by my friend Chinku who has been accompanying me throughout this journey.

As we were getting close to the eatery, we have seen a name board by the side of the road, illuminated with lights. The restaurant building resembles a street food source with open dining facilities provided towards the front of the shop. Sabuchettan is the guy who runs this food spot and hence the name Sabuchettante Thattukada. When we reached the shop, Sabuchettan was busy with the preparation of the Appam recipe. Two adjacent Appam pans were kept on the stove and it took about three to four minutes for making an Appam in a pan. We saw a lot of customers at the front looking to place their orders. Almost all the chairs available at the front were occupied by the people enjoying their food.

Apparently, Puttu and Appam were the two main food items served through this street food centre. Unlike any other eateries, the Puttu or the steamed rice cake is not prepared in a cylindrical vessel. Instead, the coconut shell-shaped utensil is made used in making the dish. Some of the recipes like Beef Varutharachatu, Chicken Stew, Potti Varutharachatu and Chicken fry were the dishes served along with Appam and Puttu. Sabuchettan has explained that they would make changes to the recipes twice a week.

I have made orders for Puttu, Appam and Chicken stew. My friend Chinku preferred Appam and Chicken fry. Even though I have opted for Puttu, Chinku has explained to me that this restaurant is quite famous for its Appam and that made me change my mind to include Appam as well. We took the seat available towards the front of the shop. The lack of tables made us use a chair in keeping the plates. Customers were seen having their food in a buffet system where they hold the plate in one hand.

We tasted the chicken fry for starters and it was really hot. The taste was quite similar to the traditional chicken fry dish where the marinated chicken pieces with masala were fried in coconut oil for the flavour. Chinku has been a fan of Appam and Chicken fry. We tried the Chicken stew recipe next and I felt the taste of the dish resembles that of the stew prepared in the Kottayam region of Kerala. Appam had a slightly sour flavour which made it distinct.

I have gone for the Puttu recipe next and enquired whether Chinku likes to have a taste. He took a small piece and I felt the Chicken stew would be more suited to the soft Puttu dish rather than the Appam. The delicious flavour of the stew combines really well with the hot steaming Puttu dish. Towards the end, we tried out the cardamom coffee and it was awesome.

If you are looking for a street food source for having some traditional food in Kochi, you can very well try out this food spot for delicious Puttu and Appam with Chicken stew and Chicken Fry.