7 Popular Foods Of Puducherry, From Puyabaise To Thokku Biryani

Puducherry is often described by its cosmopolitan food scene. Funnily enough, it’s not the French, Portuguese, Dutch, Anglo-Indian and Tamil influences that can define Pondicherry’s F&B culture.

It’s the spirit of adaptability that looms large across most local menus in the city. You can find some of the most authentic French pastries and European cheeses listed alongside some fantastic and ingenious Creole dishes that have heavy South Indian influences.

Be it the French quarters of White Town or some of the most unassuming tea shops along Mission Street, Puducherry’s food will surprise you at every turn. If you’re headed to Puducherry and are overwhelmed by the choices, here are a few of the winning foods you need to try.

Meen Puyabaise

The French influence on Puducherry’s local cuisine is undeniable; it’s so strong that many French dishes were modified to fit local tastes. Take the Puyabaise, for instance, It’s essentially the Indianised version of bouillabaisse, a classic French seafood stew from the port town of Marseille. It usually features crabs, mussels, shrimps and shellfish in a tamarind-turmeric base and is served with a thin flatbread.

Recommendation: Chez Francis

Type: Vegetarian, non-vegetarian

Budget: Rs 500-800

Kadugu Yerra

This Mughal dish is popular in Puducherry and is made with baby shrimp cooked in a spicy mustard-based gravy. The shrimp are marinated with turmeric, chilli powder, and other spices before being simmered in a rich coconut sauce flavoured with curry leaves, mustard seeds, and tamarind.

Recommendation: Kooraikadai Restaurant

Type: Vegetarian, non-vegetarian

Budget: Rs 200-400