For the love of Biryani on Bakrid
- 31 Aug 2017
- Nikhil
- Features
Wtzup Kochi did a small search on what biryani is to the people of Kochi in just one word and the places where you can get the best biryani in Kochi
Text Credits: Nikhil Wilson Image Credits: Anand A.N
Biryani! The word itself creates an image in our heads, the smell of the rice and the ghee and meat. Before you even know it, you will have the craving to devour a biryani even as you think about it. Almost every individual in Kochi has a special place for the love of biryani in their hearts. Memes and trolls regarding biryani and comparing ourselves to one of the characters of ever green hits F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Joey Tribbiani, are abundant all over the internet. For, people who know Joey know that “Joey doesn’t share food”. Yes, it's hard for us to share our share of biryani with others.
Stories regarding the history of biryani are ample on the internet. To people who say history doesn't matter, Musthafa has something else to say, “ History is what makes the present and the future beautiful.” Musthafa is the son of the famous Kayikka - the owner of Kayees Biryani. After Kayikka passed away, the shop was taken over by Musthafa and now the third generation, i.e Shabeer, the son of Musthafa is in charge of the restaurant. Kayees biryani has two shops in Kochi, one in Mattancherry and the other near Durbar Hall ground, Ernakulam.
Kayees Biryani, which started in 1949, is one of the most popular places for biryanis in Kochi. When asked about the recipe, Musthafa said,
“We still use the same recipe which my father used and we have never thought about changing it because it is what the people love about Kayees. We use ‘Verakadappu’ (wood-fired stove) for all the cooking processes.”
When asked some Kochites to describe biryani in just one word, the most heard phrases were,
“biryani is a feeling”,
“biryani is happiness”,
“biryani is Love”.
Here is a list of a few places where you can get the best biryanis in Kochi
- Ceylon Bakers
- Hotel Sani
- Binnammas Food Gallery
- Kayees
- Iftar chain
- Paragon
- Pandaris
- Slakara
- Kitchen Tellichery
- Rolexio
- Paris
- Jeff biryani
- B for biryani
- Malabar Biryani House
There are different types of biryanis available now in Kochi, with the constant evolution of flavors. From the rice to the crispy fried onion slices, biryani is one of the most complex dishes, where the importance of every ingredient, regardless the size and amount decides the output of the entire dish. When the dum breaks, the smell spreads all over the place.
FWD Life wishes everyone, Eid Mubarak! Don’t be a Joey, because biryani is love and happiness.
