Sea, sand, surf, and oyster fry - only at Baby’s

If the five-star and seven-star destinations provide an ambience to die for, here’s something to live for- a home by the sea.

Allow the wind to blow in your face, enjoy the warm sunlight, the sea and the surf as you dig into Baby’s very homely meals. Now if you’re wondering who in the world 'Baby' is, head straight to KRB Homely Foods on North Beach Road in Cherai. There’s the whole wide expanse of the Arabian Sea to the left and a humble eatery to the right where the 'Baby' of KRB stands.

If you’re left puzzled, here’s a fact file for you. KRB Homely Foods is a home and an eatery too. It was just a humble abode some time ago. Later, a big boat (kettuvallom) popped up here for people to sit around four to five tables and heartily eat the delicious dishes Baby prepared. Then the owner came up with the name 'kaliyodam' for his joint. All these reasons good enough to lure you to KRB.

Fresh from the sea and backwaters- that is Baby’s raw material. Koonthal (squid), kakka (shell fish), crab and several fish varieties are treated to Baby’s special touch and served. There are fish dishes aplenty to go with appam, chappathi and the is pathiri and chicken for those are averse to fish.

However, KRB’s specialty is its 'muringa irachi' or oyster meat. It’s truly special because you don’t get it every day. But KRB is one of the very few places in Ernakulam district where the dish is prepared and served.

Baby has its special muringa irachi recipe wherein pepper rules the roost. Though it’s dry, it’s a swell combination with appam and pathiri.

A word of caution: If you are a stickler for cleanliness and sanitised food, the oyster dish is certainly not yours to taste. At times, you are likely to get a hint of fine sand with the oysters. This does not mean you get a mouthful of sand with the dish but if you are a fussy eater or have a sensitive gut, it is better to stay away from this option.

There’s more on KRB’s lip-smacking menu. Its pearl spot or karimeen, crab, and mussels are iconic. Baby is basically a complete angler, which explains why it buys only fresh fish. It does not have to touch a fish to feel if it’s fresh. Just a gaze is enough. It’s therefore no wonder that KRB has been riding high on a spotless reputation for the past 12 years.

Head to KRB for a gourmet meal. It will not disappoint. What better a combination than sea breeze and sea food? Kaliyodam can seat 65 at a time. If it’s sunny, you can sit outside and dine. The mood is best set when it drizzles.

How to make muringa irachi?

Clean the oysters and cook them with salt

Sauté big onions and masalas in coconut oil

Use pepper powder generously

When onions are almost brown, add oysters and keep on stirring till the water dries up.

Stir again till they get fried.