BENGALURU: Some good news for people who live around Indiranagar. There’s a new Malayali restaurant in town and despite being more of a hole-in-the-wall joint, they take their food very seriously.
Tapioca, situated in New Thippasandra, right next to Kanti Sweets, is the size of a tiny living room, barely fitting in six tables. However, from the minute you walk in, there’s a feeling of cheer about the place. The servers are exceptionally friendly, and within seconds will help you decide your order, if you’re not very familiar with Malabar cuisine. Our meal began with the kappa (tapioca) and beef fry combination, a staple of the Syrian Christian lunch/dinner. The beef cooked in ground spices and then sauteed with onions and coconut, is the ideal starter. The tapioca compliments the flavours of the beef fry. Another great accompaniment for the kappa is the Kerala style fish curry. Made typically with seer fish, fresh spices and soaked in tamarind juice, this red fish curry will leave your mouth tingling with heat. Other preparations include clam stir fry, aila (mackerel) and matthi (sardine) fry, mint prawns and the like. The fish here tastes fresh unlike the sea-food you find in the city. The chicken biryani was average but sources swear by the kappa biryani. We also went for the Kerala parotta, fondly called KP by the Malayali clientele, along with nadan Kozhi curry (chicken curry) and pork pepper fry. Tapioca is great for exciting but frugal non-vegetarian meals. Head to Tapioca on weekends to enjoy appams with curry and outtu / pathiri with curry. An extensive meal for three cost us just a little under `400. And they give unlimited top-ups for lime juice too. What’s not to like?