The tropical climate of Goa has influenced the cuisine of the region making its food intense in flavours and spices unique from the other parts of the country. The staple food of the Goans is fish curry and rice. Almost all of their dishes comprise coconuts, rice, fish, pork, meat and local spices such as kokum. Most of the Goan dishes are influenced by the Portuguse cuisine as it was a colony under them. The cuisine however is not intense in spices and is jam-packed with bursting flavours of the sea, as a result of the vast coastline surrounding the region.
Here are a few dishes from Goa that are worth tasting.
Goan Fish Curry
The Goan fish curry also known as the Xitti Kodi is the staple food of every Goan. it is a coconut based curry loaded with spices. The tang to the dish is provided by raw mango, tamarind or kokum(rarely). The main ingredients of this curry are a Pomfret and coconut. Instead of Pomfret, Kingfish or any other fish available may also be used. This curry is eaten along with rice.
Goan Pork Vindaloo
‘Vin’ is derived from the word vinegar and ‘ahlo’ means garlic in Portuguese. It is also believed that the dish was named so because of the use of potatoes in making it. The dish is made of pork, stir fried onions, chillies, garlic sauce along with Vinegar and a blend of Indian and Portuguese spices. The curry base is made using chillies and other spices along with a few other ingredients and is then mixed with meat and vinegar. This mix is marinated overnight. The dish is then finished with fried onions and the other herbs. The longer the dish sits, the better it tastes as the flavour of the meat gets blended properly and absorbs the flavours of the spices and the curry base of onions, chilli and garlic
Bebinca
Bebinca is the most famous and loved dessert of Goa. it is prepared using coconut milk, sugar and eggs and is a multilayered cake. It almost resembles a multilayered pancake and is textured like pudding. The batter made of flour, sugar, ghee, eggs and coconut milk is poured into a pan and backed by a layer before lining it. Between each layers there is present a spread of caramelised sugar which gives it a much more interesting flavour.
Goan cuisine in Bangalore
The Fisherman’s Wharf
This Goan restaurant is located opposite Shub Enclave, Harulur Road, Ambalipura Village in Sarjapur Road. There’s King Prawn Recheado, the spicy Prawn Balchao, Pomfret in butter garlic sauce, and the classic Goan Prawn Curry with Rice and other exceptional Goan dishes served here and feast on the authentic Goan dessert, bebinca. There are Asian favourites and Indian signatures, so one could pair a Sichuan Fried Rice with Chicken Tikka as well.
Website:http://thefishermanswharf.in/
Carnival de Goa
Located at Kensington Point, Ulsoor Road, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Carnival de Goa known for a cheerful Goan ambience and befitting food. They have Home Delivery teamed with Zomato, Full Bar, Outdoor and indoor Seating, Valet Parking and a Smoking Area. They serve poi sliders, chicken cafreal, chicken xacuti, pork vindaloo, mutton xeq xeq and a lot more authentic Goan dishes. A lot of fried fish dishes and fish thalis make their Goan menu complete along with Goan hit desserts like Bebinca and bread pudding.
Maria’s Goan Kitchen
This homely restaurant is placed at the 27th Main Rd, 2nd Sector of HSR Layout. The restaurant provides Home Delivery through Dunzo and Zomato, indoor seating and no alcohol.
They serve a wide variety of seafood dishes like fish cafreal, prawns teriyaki, prawns balchao and many others. The non veg menu includes Pork chops, chorizo, balchao, pork ribs, Vindaloo, Xacuti and so on. As the Goan dessert menu must include Bebinca, they serve on of the most sought after bebinca in Bangalore and also have the most delicious rum ball.
Website:http://mariasgoankitchen.in/
Joey EatsAlot 