A habit I never tried to change 

Being from Kerala, food has always been a big part of how I travel. 

But strangely, no matter where I go, I end up doing the same thing. I look for a Kerala restaurant. It doesn’t matter if I’m in Coorg, Kodai, or anywhere else—I somehow find comfort in ordering something familiar. Appam, curry, rice… something that feels like home. 

At first, it made sense. You travel far; you want something you know you’ll enjoy. 

But over time, it became a habit. 

I would tell myself that I’ll try local food later, maybe the next meal, maybe the next trip. But that never really happened. 

Another trip, same mindset 

This Kodai trip was meant to be simple. 

A short break with friends, no heavy planning just walking around the lake, enjoying the weather, and slowing things down. And like always, I thought food would be the easiest part. 

Find something familiar, eat, and move on. 

Walking in without expecting much 

After spending time near Kodaikanal Lake, we were just walking around, not really looking for anything specific. That slightly tired feeling had already kicked in the kind where you just want to sit somewhere and not think too much. 

That’s when we ended up at Lake View at Sterling Kodai – Lake. 

The first thing you notice is the setting. 

It’s calm, open, and the view of the lake just pulls your attention without trying too hard. People are sitting, talking, and taking their time. There’s no rush around you. Even the staff lets you settle in at your own pace, which honestly makes a difference when you’ve just walked in tired. 

It felt comfortable right away. 

Still choosing the safe option 

Even after sitting down, my instinct didn’t change. 

I was still looking for something familiar. Something I knew I wouldn’t regret ordering. That’s always been my way of avoiding risks. 

But this time, my friends didn’t think the same way. 

They were actually exploring the menu, pointing out local dishes, and discussing what to try. Things I would normally skip without even reading. 

And for once, I didn’t stop them. 

Trying something different, finally 

They ordered dishes like Meen Varuval and Kozhi Vepudu—things that clearly belonged to the region. Not something I would usually pick.  

I still went ahead and ordered something familiar for myself, just to be safe. 

But then I tried what they had ordered. 

And that’s where things have changed. 

The moment I realised something 

The Meen Varuval had that perfect crisp texture, slightly spicy but balanced. It didn’t feel heavy, and the flavour stayed longer than I expected. 

Then came the Kozhi Vepudu. 

It had a bold, slightly rustic taste that felt very different from what I usually eat. It wasn’t trying to be anything else. It just felt like it belonged here.  

That’s when I realised something. 

This wasn’t just food. 

This was the place. 

When the experience comes together 

Even the smaller things started making sense. 

The simple sides like Lemon Rice or Tomato Rice, which I would usually ignore, actually worked perfectly with everything else.  

And sitting there, with the lake right in front, cool air around, and no pressure to rush; the whole experience just felt complete. 

It wasn’t just about what was on the plate anymore. 

What I had been missing all along 

The funny part is the food I ordered for myself was good too. 

Exactly what I expected. Comfortable and familiar. 

But it didn’t stand out. 

Not after trying what my friends had ordered. 

And that difference stayed with me. 

Because for the first time, I felt like I had been limiting my own experience all these years without even realising it. 

More than just the view 

Yes, the lake view is beautiful. 

Yes, the ambience is calm and easy. 

And yes, the service makes you feel comfortable without being over the top. 

But honestly, that’s not what made this place stand out for me. 

It was the food that made me think differently. 

A small change that stayed 

By the time we finished, even something simple like Pal Payasam felt different—not because it was new, but because everything before it had changed the way I looked at the meal.  

If I had come here alone, I would have done exactly what I always do. 

Order something safe, finish it, and leave it. 

But this time it was different. 

Ending note 

If you’re someone like me who carries their food habits everywhere, it might be worth stepping out of that just once. 

Because sometimes, it’s not about finding what it feels like at home. 

It’s about experiencing what belongs to the place you’re in. 

And for me, that change started here.