Shappu food in New York: This Pala native brings Kerala’s bold flavours to the US food scene
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Just a short stroll from Times Square in New York, Pala native Regi Mathew has brought the soul of Kerala’s cuisine to the city with his new restaurant, Chatti.
Launched as part of his 'Kappa Chakka Kanthari’ restaurant chain, Chatti has quickly become a hotspot for food lovers. It’s not just Malayalis who are flocking here, but Indians from across the city and even international diners are lining up to experience Kerala’s delicacies.
Regi, who has already served Kerala’s traditional flavours to Bengaluru and Chennai, crafted Chatti’s menu through an extraordinary journey. He personally visited over 300 home cooks across Kerala, gathering heirloom recipes and time-honoured techniques. By blending these flavours with the combinations of Kerala’s toddy shop cuisine, he has created a dining experience that has become an instant hit.
“Every dish I create tells a story; every flavour evokes a memory, as I strive to bring the essence of Kerala to dining tables around the world,” Regi claims on their official website.
And it’s not just about the food. Chatti also serves Elephant Whisperer cocktail, which is a mix of vodka, coconut, and banana etc. To complete the experience, dishes are served in traditional Kerala vessels like the uruli (bronze cooking pot) and chatti (clay pot). The rich aroma of spices sourced directly from Kerala has also become a favourite among foreign diners.
“The name Chatti refers to the traditional clay pot central to Kerala’s toddy shops and homes. This emblem of Kerala’s culinary heritage sets the stage for a dining experience that brings the bold flavors and rustic charm of toddy shop food – a micro-cuisine with a cult following, to the heart of New York City,” the official website explains.
The menu features classic dishes like Pidi-Kozhi, Mappas, Appam, Vattayappam, Puttu, Chemmeen Roast, and Shappu Beef Fry. Foreign diners have been so captivated by these dishes that they have already started learning their names.