Food and Drinks in Malayalam

This list gathers everyday Malayalam words for food, drinks and meals. Note that Malayalam distinguishes cooked rice (choru) from raw rice grain (ari) - an important difference in the rice-loving cuisine of Kerala. With fish curry (meen kari) on the table almost daily in many homes, these words are essential for anyone exploring Kerala food culture.

MalayalamPronunciationEnglish
ഭക്ഷണംbhakshanamfood
ചോറ്chorurice (cooked)
അരിaririce (raw grain)
വെള്ളംvellamwater
പാൽpaalmilk
ചായchaayatea
കാപ്പിkaappicoffee
കറിkaricurry
മീൻകറിmeen karifish curry
റൊട്ടിrottibread
മുട്ടmuttaegg
ഇറച്ചിirachimeat
കോഴിയിറച്ചിkozhiyirachichicken (meat)
പഞ്ചസാരpanchasaarasugar
ഉപ്പ്uppusalt
എണ്ണennaoil
പ്രാതൽpraathalbreakfast
ഉച്ചഭക്ഷണംuchabhakshanamlunch
അത്താഴംathaazhamdinner, supper
പലഹാരംpalahaaramsnack
മധുരംmadhuramsweet, dessert

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