{"id":20466,"date":"2026-05-19T11:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/?p=20466"},"modified":"2026-05-19T11:50:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:50:12","slug":"i-travel-everywhere-but-i-always-end-up-eating-kerala-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/i-travel-everywhere-but-i-always-end-up-eating-kerala-food\/","title":{"rendered":"I Travel Everywhere, But I Always End Up Eating Kerala Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a0A habit I never tried to change<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being from Kerala, food has always been a big part of how I travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But strangely, no matter where I go, I end up doing the same thing. I look for a Kerala restaurant. It doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m in Coorg, Kodai, or anywhere else\u2014I somehow find comfort in ordering something familiar. Appam, curry, rice\u2026 something that feels like home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, it made sense. You travel far; you want something you know you\u2019ll enjoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But over time, it became a habit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would tell myself that I\u2019ll try local food later, maybe the next meal, maybe the next trip. But that never really happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another trip, same mindset<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Kodai trip was meant to be simple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find something familiar, eat, and move on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking in without expecting much<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when we ended up at Lake View at Sterling Kodai \u2013 Lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you notice is the setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019s no rush around you. Even the staff lets you settle in at your own pace, which honestly makes a difference when you\u2019ve just walked in tired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt comfortable right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still choosing the safe option<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after sitting down, my instinct didn\u2019t change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was still looking for something familiar. Something I knew I wouldn\u2019t regret ordering. That\u2019s always been my way of avoiding risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this time, my friends didn\u2019t think the same way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

And for once, I didn\u2019t stop them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying something different, finally<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They ordered dishes like Meen Varuval and Kozhi Vepudu\u2014things that clearly belonged to the region. Not something I would usually pick.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I still went ahead and ordered something familiar for myself, just to be safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then I tried what they had ordered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s where things have changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moment I realised something<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meen Varuval had that perfect crisp texture, slightly spicy but balanced. It didn\u2019t feel heavy, and the flavour stayed longer than I expected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came the Kozhi Vepudu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had a bold, slightly rustic taste that felt very different from what I usually eat. It wasn\u2019t trying to be anything else. It just felt like it belonged here.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when I realised something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wasn\u2019t just food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the experience comes together<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the smaller things started making sense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple sides like Lemon Rice or Tomato Rice, which I would usually ignore, actually worked perfectly with everything else.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

It wasn\u2019t just about what was on the plate anymore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I had been missing all along <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funny part is the food I ordered for myself was good too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exactly what I expected. Comfortable and familiar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it didn\u2019t stand out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not after trying what my friends had ordered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that difference stayed with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because for the first time, I felt like I had been limiting my own experience all these years without even realising it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than just the view<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, the lake view is beautiful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, the ambience is calm and easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yes, the service makes you feel comfortable without being over the top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But honestly, that\u2019s not what made this place stand out for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the food that made me think differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small change that stayed<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time we finished, even something simple like Pal Payasam felt different\u2014not because it was new, but because everything before it had changed the way I looked at the meal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I had come here alone, I would have done exactly what I always do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order something safe, finish it, and leave it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this time it was different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending note<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re someone like me who carries their food habits everywhere, it might be worth stepping out of that just once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because sometimes, it\u2019s not about finding what it feels like at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about experiencing what belongs to the place you\u2019re in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for me, that change started here.<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0A habit I never tried to change\u00a0 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\u2019t matter if I\u2019m in Coorg, Kodai, or anywhere else\u2014I somehow find comfort…<\/p>\n

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