Taste of Cochin is a South Indian restaurant at 9 Approach Road in Raynes Park. Its cooking is rooted in Kerala, the coastal state historically associated with spice growing and trading, and the dining room offers a comfortable neighbourhood setting for lunch or dinner.
Kerala’s use of coconut, curry leaves, chilli and fragrant spices gives the menu its distinctive character. Fish and seafood are natural strengths of this coastal cuisine, joined by chicken, lamb and vegetable curries that range from gently aromatic to more robustly seasoned.
Starters and regional snacks provide an easy way to begin a shared meal, while rice dishes and South Indian breads help complete the main courses. Vegetarian choices have a natural place in the cooking, reflecting a tradition that gives vegetables, lentils and pulses substantial attention.
The restaurant operates separate lunch and evening sittings through the week, making it suitable for a relaxed family meal or a more focused introduction to Keralan flavours. Its appeal lies in regional specificity and the balance of warmth, spice and freshness across the menu.
Address: 9 Approach Road, Raynes Park, London SW20 8BA, England
Taste of Cochin Menu
SOUPS
Dahl Soup
Lentils cooked with tomato, garlic and black pepper.
Rasam
Hot black pepper soup made of tomato, tamarind juice and spices.
ACCOMPANIMENTS
Plain Pappadom
Crispy thin cracker made with black gram.
Pickle Tray
Selection of Indian style pickles.
Raitha
Cucumber, onion, tomato, ginger, green chilli and onion in yoghurt. Allergens Info: Milk
Fresh Salad
Crunchy vegetables, green chilli, onion and lemon in a tangy dressing.
KERALA VEG STARTER
Idli (s)
Steam cake made of rice and black gram batter, served with Sambar & chutney. View VEGETARIAN SPECIALITIES for Sambar.
Chilli Idli (s)
Diced iddli cooked with chopped onion, capsicum and special spices – a Chef Special delicacy.
Poori Masala (s)
Puffed bread made with unleavened dough, served with potato masala.
Cashewnut Pakoda (s)
Deep fried spicy-battered cashew nuts. Allergens Info: Nuts
Potato Bonda (s)
Deep fried potato balls made with black pepper, curry leaves, onion & green chilli.
Plain Vada (s)
Doughnuts made of lentle flour, ginger, onion and green chilli.
Sambar Vada (s)
Doughnuts made of lentle flour, ginger, onion, green chilli and then soaked in Sambar. View VEGETARIAN SPECIALITIES for Sambar.
Onion Bhaji (s)
Deep fried balls of onion, ginger, green chilli, curry leaves, fresh coriander, turmeric powder and special spices in chickpeas batter.
Vegetable Samosa (s)
Deep fried pastry, triangular in shape, filled with spiced potatoes, onion or peas. (3 Pcs)
Chilli Paneer (s)
Fried Indian cottage cheese mixed with sauteed green chilli, capsicum, fresh coriander and onion. Allergens Info: Milk
Gobi Manchurian (s)
Fried cauliflower in corn flour batter cooked with onion, capsicum, ginger, garlic and spices.
Chilli Gobi (s)
Fried Cauliflower in corn flour batter cooked with onion, capsicum, ginger, garlic, crushed red chilli and spices
KERALA NON-VEG STARTER
Chilli Chicken (s)
Popular Indian dish. Chicken cooked with onion, chillies, tomatoes, capsicum and curry leaves.
Chicken 65 (s)
Chicken cooked in spicy marinated mixture of hot batter of corn flour and gram flour. Dry preparation.
King Fish Fry (s)
Slice of King fish marinated with chilli, turmeric, black pepper, salt and fried in oil. Allergens Info: Fish
Special Squid Fry (s)
Semi dry squid dish cooked with chopped onion, capsicum,coconut pieces, curry leaves and spices Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Chilli Prawn (s)
Marinated fried prawn mixed with sauteed green chilli, capsicum and onion. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Special Special Lamb Fry (s)
Semi dry lamb dish cooked with chopped onion, capsicum,coconut pieces, curry leaves and spices
Meat Samosa (s)
Deep fried pastry, triangular in shape, filled with spiced potato, onion, peas, Meat.
GRILL TANDOORI SPECIALITIES
Chicken Grill
Marinated chicken pieces grilled to brown colour.
King Prawn Grill
Marinated King prawn grilled to brown colour. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Lamb Chops Grill
Marinated lamb chops grilled to brown colour.
CHICKEN SPECIALITIES
Chicken Curry
Chicken cooked in a sauce made with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and powdered chilli, turmeric & coriander.
Chicken Malabar
Popular Kerala dish made of chicken in Malabar sauce. Malabar sauce is made with fried coconut, coriander, ginger, garlic, onion and tomato.
Ginger Chicken
Chicken curry made to a ginger front masala combimnation.
Garlic Chicken
Chicken curry made to a garlic front masala combimnation.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chunks of chicken marinated in spices and yoghurt and roasted in oven; then served in a creamy curry sauce, decorated with coriander leaves. Allergens Info: Milk
Butter Chicken
Chicken tikka cooked with sauce made of onion, almond powder, coconut powder, Indian spices and garnished with butter, fried cashew & raisin. Allergens Info: Nuts,Milk
Chicken Korma
Chicken cooked in a mild curry sauce called Korma. Korma Sauce is made with onion, coriander, red chilli, turmeric, ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon, aniseed and coconut cream. Allergens Info: Milk
Chicken Dhansak
Sweet and Sour Chicken curry made with lentils, chilli powder, turmeric, lemon and bit of sugar.
Chicken Madras
Chicken curry usually hot due to special chilli powder.
Chicken Vindaloo
Chicken marinated in a spicy mixture with vinegar, then cooked in a curry sauce with red chilli. Fairly hot usually.
Kozhi Ularthiyathu
Slow cooked and dry roast preparation of chicken exclusive to Kerala. Spices, onion, slices of coconut, black pepper and tomato are present. Spicy.
Kozhi Varutharacha Curry
Chicken cooked in a special sauce. Grated coconut is roasted with chilli, shallots and aniseed until brown. It is powdered and mixed with regular curry sauce.
MEAT SPECIALITIES
Kerala Lamb Curry
Lamb cooked in a sauce made with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and powdered chilli, turmeric & coriander.
Lamb Malabar
Popular Kerala dish made of lamb, spices, tomato, coconut milk and curry leaves.
Lamb Varutharacha Curry
Lamb cooked in a special sauce. Grated coconut is roasted with chilli, shallots and aniseed until brown. It is powdered to make the sauce.
Lamb Bhuna
Clow cooked lamb pieces in a sauce made with spices, tomato and onion.
Lamb Korma
Lamb cooked in a mild curry sauce called Korma. Korma Sauce is made with onion, coriander, red chilli, turmeric, ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon, aniseed and coconut cream. Allergens Info: Milk
Lamb Rogan Josh
Lamb cooked in a gravy made of ginger, garlic, clove, cardomom, bay leaves, cinnemon, onion and yoghurt.
Lamb Specialities
Lamb Madras
Lamb curry usually hot due to special chilli powder.
Lamb Ularthiyathu
Slow cooked and dry roast preparation of lamb exclusive to Kerala. Spices, onion and tomato are present. Spicy and red in colour.
Seafood Specialities
Kerala Fish Curry
Fish cooked in a curry sauce made with turmeric, chilli, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, tomato, onion, tamarind juice and coconut milk. Allergens Info: Fish
Fish Curry With Mango
Fish cooked in a curry sauce made with turmeric, chilli, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, tomato, onion, pieces of green mango and coconut milk. Allergens Info: Fish
Fish Molly
Marinated fish is slow cooked in a coconut cream based sauce. Yellow in colour due to turmeric powder. Allergens Info: Fish, Milk
Fish Malabar
Fish cooked in a curry sauce made with corrander, chilli, onion, tomato, coconut milk and garnished with curry leaves. Allergens Info: Fish
Prawn With Mango Curry
Prawn cooked in a curry sauce made with fried onion, garlic, ginger and spices. Green mango pieces added to get slight sour. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Kodampuli Fish Curry
Fish cooked in a curry sauce made with onion, tomato, spices, curry leaves and kudampuli (Cocum / Garcinia Cambogia). Allergens Info: Fish
Prawn Masala
Prawn cooked with masala paste made of onion, garlic, ginger and spices. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Kerala Prawn Curry
Prawn cooked in a curry sauce made with turmeric, chilli, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, tomato, onion, tamarind juice and coconut milk. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Squid Masala
Squid cooked with masala paste made of onion, garlic, ginger and spices. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Vegetarian Specialities
Avial
Kerala vegetable dish made of assorted fresh vegetables grated coconut, spices and yoghurt. Allergens Info: Milk
Sambar
A mild curry cooked with lentils, fresh vegetables, tamarind juice and spices.
Dhal
Lentil is cooked with onion, tomato, spices and tempered with mustard seed.
Dahl & Spinach
Lentil is cooked with spinach, onion, tomato, spices and tempered with mustard seed. Allergens Info: Mustard
Vegetable Malabar
Mixed vegetables, potato, cauliflower and grated coconut in a curry sauce.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Variety of vegetables cooked in a sauce made with spices, herbs, onion and tomato.
Vegetable Korma
Variety of vegetables cooked in a sauce with onion, herbs, spices and coconut milk.
Saag Paneer
Spinach with Indian cottage cheese, spiced with garam masala. Allergens Info: Milk
Vendakka Curry
Okra cooked with spices, onion and tomato. Tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Allergens Info: Mustard
Kathrikka Curry
Aubergine cooked with spices onion and tomato tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Allergens Info: Mustard
Side Dishes
Beetroot Thoran
Fresh beetroot cooked with garlic and grated coconut. Tempered with shallots, mustard seed and red chillies.
Vendakka Poriyal
Okra cooked with grated coconut and blend of fresh spices.
Beans & Coconut
Chopped beans cooked with grated coconut, onion and green chilli. Tempered with shallots, mustard seed and red chillies. Allergens Info: Mustard
Chana Masala
Chickpea cooked with onion, green chilli, tomato and spices.
Sag Aloo
Dry preparation of cooked potato and spinach. Tempred with mustard seed. Allergens Info: Mustard
Kathrikka Thoran
Aubergine cooked with grated coconut, green chilli and onion. Tempered with shallots, mustard seeds and red chillies. Allergens Info: Mustard
Spinach & Coconut
Chopped spinach cooked with grated coconut, green chilli and onion. Tempered with shallots, mustard seeds and red chillies. Allergens Info: Mustard
Mushroom Thoran
Mushroom cooked with grated coconut, green chilli and onion. Tempered with shallots, mustard seeds and red chillies. Allergens Info: Mustard
Aloo Gobi
Potato and cauliflower cooked with onion and tomato sauce.
Bombay Aloo
Potato cubes boiled, fried and flavored with spices.
Dosa Varieties
Dosa is a flat thin layered bread.
Masala Dosa
Dosa with an aromatic vegetarian filling made of potato, tomato and herbs.
Chicken Masala Dosa
Dosa with filling made of chicken and spices.
Meat Masala Dosa
Dosa with filling made of lamb and spices.
Uthappam
Thick dosa made with chopped onion and chilli.
Ghee Roast Masala Dosa
Dosa with an aromatic vegetarian filling made of potato, tomato and herbs. Gee is applied to enhance taste and flavour. Allergens Info: Milk
Biryani Specialities
Flavored rice cooked with veg or non-veg options in a delicate blend of herbs and spices.
Vegetarian Biryani
Vegetables like greenpece and carrot are used.
Mushroom Biryani
Mushroom used.
Egg Biryani
Boiled eggs used. Allergens Info: Egg
Chicken Biryani
Chicken used.
Lamb Biryani
Lamb used.
Fish Biryani
Fried fish used. Allergens Info: Fish
Prawn Biryani
Prawn used. Allergens Info: Crustaceans
Kothu Paratha
Paratha is a layered flatbread made with unleavened dough, oil and salt. Once rolled out, it is cooked on a hot tawa. It is cut into small pieces and cooked as in Biriyani.
Rice
Plain Rice
Plain boiled rice.
Pilau Rice
Rice and vegetables are sauteed together and then boiled with water till the rice is fragrant, fluffy and cooked through.
Coconut Rice
A South Indian dish made using fresh grated coconut and rice, tempered with curry leaves and ginger.
Lemon Rice
A South Indian recipe made with boiled rice and lemon juice, tempered with mustard seed, black gram, split chickpea and turmeric powder. Allergens Info: Mustard
Mushroom Rice
Rice cooked with mushroom and spices.
Egg Rice
Rice cooked with scrambled egg, finely chopped vegetables and spices. Allergens Info: Egg
Vegetable Rice
Rice cooked with fried vegetables and spices.
Bread Specialities
Kerala Paratha
Paratha is a flaky bread made with unleavened dough, oil, & salt. Once rolled out, it is cooked on a hot tawa.
Aloo Paratha
Paratha made with mashed potato & spices.
Garlic Paratha
Paratha with a tinge of garlic.
Chilli Paratha
Paratha with a tinge of green chilli.
Sweet Coconut Paratha
Paratha made with sweetened grated coconut.
Poori
Puffed bread made with unleavened dough. (2 pcs)
Appam (hopper)
A type of bread originated in Kerala that can be served with a variety of veg or non-veg dishes. Its batter is made with rice, grated coconut, little bit of sugar and salt. (2 pcs)
Chapathi
An unleavened flat bread originated in India which can go with veg or non-veg curries. Once rolled out, it is cooked on a hot tawa. (2 pcs)
Plain Naan
Naan is a leavened, clay oven-baked flatbread, which can go with many veg and non-veg curries.
Garlic & Coriander Naan
Naan made with added garlic and coriander.
Desserts
Semiya Payasom
Dessert made with vermicelli, milk, sugar, cardamom and cashew nut. Allergens Info: Nuts, Milk
Sarkara Payasam
Dessert made with rice, milk, jaggery, cardamom, raisin and cashew nut. Allergens Info: Milk
Gulab Jamun
Sticky-sweet, deep-fried dough balls made from milk solids, soaked in rose flavored sugar syrup. Allergens Info: Milk