Aroma of fried onions and nuts sprinkled over rice which is cooked in special biriyani spices, wafts through the air while treading the inroads of Manjaly, situated on the Angamaly-North Paravur road. Like we have the biriyani varieties from Thalassery, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, Kashmir, among many, Kochi too has a delectable fare of its staple biriyani popularly known as ‘Manjaly biriyani’.
Over the years, takers for the Manjaly biriyani is growing for its richness in taste and stomach filling flavours. “Manjaly is Kochi’s own biriyani variant. People from far away places come here to taste our biriyanis,” says Ameer, sales staff of CH Biriyani Center, Manjaly.
In Manjaly there are around 30 hotels which serve Manjaly biriyanis. Some of the shops even have quirky names to attract the foodies attention. “We use only high quality rice and ingredients that is the secret behind the rich taste of our biriyani. Many popular vehicle showrooms offer our biriyanis to their customers and staff after a business deal,” says Sufeer, cook of Biriyani House, Manjaly.
For the biriyani lovers, another happy news is, these biriyanis are not available in Manjaly alone. One can tickle their tastebuds with Manjaly specials from the various outlets mushrooming in and around Kochi. ‘Biriyani Chembu’ in Kalamassery near Cusat is one such place to hang out, if one wants to taste the authentic Manjaly flavours. Students and professionals frequent the place. “Biriyanis are always my favourite and I prefer Manjaly biriyani from others as they are very tasty. The price of Manjaly biriyani is affordable and at the same time they serve us repeatedly without charging extra. Their hospitality is also appreciable,” says Biju, a regular customer.
“For us, customer comfort and satisfaction is more important than money. Therefore, we serve repeatedly. We want to promote a new culture of serving ‘unlimited biriyanis’ just like serving meals. We are also getting orders for functions and parties in the city circle,” says Afsal and Mujeeb, owners of Biriyani Chembu. Manjaly biriyanis are available at a rate of Rs 110 and are available in three varieties including chicken, mutton and beef.
The specialty of Manjaly biriyanis are that, they have more masala and nuts. “Families prefer to buy parcels,” says Shameer, owner of Manjaly Biriyani Kada, at Edapally. They have two more outlets in Aluva.
Besides biriyanis, Manjaly is also famous for its halwas. So for the sweet lovers, varieties of halwas like pineapple halwa, rice halwa, dates halwa, banana halwa, coconut halwa, badam halwa, pista halwa among many are available in the bakeries. They also have different flavoured ladoos and jilebis from the dessert spread. The availability of homemade pickles is another attraction of the region.