Coastal food easily has one of the most extensive culinary experiences in the country. Every different region comes with its own special preparations and the waters of the region really do change the taste of the food, depending on where you are. That's what's so exciting about coastal food anyway. But, a lot of the original cuisine of the area is lost in the modern world of molecular and deconstructed gimmicks. We've forgotten the beauty of authentic food. For instance, the dishes that were a popular choice for traditional breakfasts in the Kudla coast—Obottu, Akki roti (rice bread made of rice flour which is mixed with salt and water and kneaded well till the dough gets soft), ragi roti, mangalore buns, or akki tari uppittu (broken rice rava upma) and a biscuit rotis (puffed up puris that are flavorful & delicious; a very popular spicy-cum-sweet snack in Udupi, Mangalore), are just a few to name. When the quick food became a norm then traditional dishes like those began to fade away from the collective memory.

Thanks to Chef Sukesh Kanchan of Sana-di-ge, an authentic Western-Ghats' seafood restaurant in Delhi, we managed to realize some of the most authentic and prominent dishes with refreshing flavours from the coast of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Kerala, As part of their all-new menu. We did this so that next time you're in the coast, or craving some authentic coastal cuisine, you know just what to try without fumbling over names and palates.   

1. Elaneer Payasam

Area of Origin: Mangalore

It is made out of coconut cream and fresh tender coconut.

© Sana-di-ge

2. Pomfret Gravy

Area of Origin: Kerala

The pomfret is simmered in moderately spiced coconut gravy with raw mango.

© Sana-di-ge

3. Pomfret Rawa

Area of Origin: Mangalore

In this Mangalorean dish, the fish is marinated in rawa and shallow fried.

© Sana-di-ge

4. Sol Kadi

Area of Origin: Konkan Coast

Supposed to be Konkan's favorite drink to trigger an appetite, it is prepared using chilled coconut milk with dried kokum and roasted garlic.

© Sana-di-ge

5. Squid Rawa Fry

Area of Origin: Mangalore

The squid is marinated in rawa and shallow fried.

© Sana-di-ge

6. Basale Pakoda

Area of Origin: Mangalore

A popular Mangalorean starter, it is basically deep fried spinach pakodas and doesn't belong to any one region in the area, in particular.

© Sana-di-ge

7. Alleppy Meen Curry

Area of Origin: Kerala

The dish prepared using fresh fish that is simmered in moderately spiced coconut gravy with raw mango.

© Sana-di-ge

8. Kane Kudla

Area of Origin: Kudla Coast

Lady fish is simmered in a spiced coconut sauce in a traditional way, as is done in the region along the coast of Kudla.

© Sana-di-ge