Looking for comfort food? Mathai Makkal at Panampilly Nagar is the answer says Oneal Sabu (fcboy83), who writes on Soul Fried Monologues. He tells you why you should visit this new outlet which has been trending on social media.
When it comes to the comfort food binge in Kochi, it doesn’t get any better than Panampilly Nagar which houses all different cuisines and caters to all types of food-related cravings. Right from Arabian to Italian to Chinese to fusion food, you name it, you have it all spaced at two blocks or lesser apart from each other.
The newest entrant to Kochi’s own Eat Street is Mathai Makkal on the 10th cross. The pictures and videos of the place have been trending on social media since its inception and I have been wanting to drive the FC wagon to try out what people have been raving about ever since.
On reaching my destination, I was greeted by Cyril Mathew, the co-owner of the place and also one of the most enthusiastic foodies I’ve known for some time from EatKochiEat. Interestingly the name Mathai Makkal owe credits to the fact that the four co-owners of the place have all got Mathew / Mathai as their surname and hence the nomenclature.
Mathai Makkal sports rolls in three variants: chicken, beef, and vegetarian. All three rolls available at Mathai Makkal are distinctly different from one another owing to the surprise element involved in the making. The chilli and garlic oil (made with kanthaari) is a signature creation of the Mathai’s and is an awesome infusion along with the mayonnaise that goes into the roll. And they keep adding new items on the menu.
The beetroot-based roomali roti or tortilla is quite a handful. It is a foot-long and comes laden with a good amount of veggies that include gherkins, lettuce, jalapenos and cooked eggplants / fried raw plantains with that mandatory fistful of French fries.
The beef roll houses a generous serving of minced meat cooked in home-made spices and a flavorful masala. What makes it interesting and all the more, commendable is the presence of fried raw plantains. The raw plantain addition speaks volumes of the beef roll experience in appreciating that touch of the novelty for having deconstructed the legendary pachavazhavaka (raw plantain) and beef curry, which is a staple on Christian wedding eve dinners.
The chicken roll, however, is set on a different footing and the addition of grilled aubergines gives it that extra oomph when it comes to satiating your cravings for comfort food.
The Veg roll is a class apart with the Jalapeno Cheese Balls being the standout winner ingredient that melts in the mouth to work wonders on your taste buds.
My pick of the lot would be the veg roll and that comes as a surprise to myself, as I have been long associated with my inherent carnivorous instincts all the time.
For all of you, looking out to try new comfort foods in and around Kochi, this is one place you should definitely visit, so until next time fellow food enthusiasts follow me on Instagram
Also read: Kuttanad's own 'Chungam shaap' serves the taste of Alappuzha's traditional shaap curry | Video
