Kerala weddings are a feast for the senses – colorful attire, sacred rituals, music, and most importantly, delicious food. Among them, the Kerala Hindu wedding food menu is one of the most celebrated aspects. Food is not just a meal at these weddings, but a symbol of hospitality, joy, and togetherness.
In this guide, we’ll explore the Kerala wedding menu in detail, covering the traditional sadhya, buffet-style receptions, catering options, and modern twists.
Kerala Hindu Wedding Food Menu
The Kerala Hindu wedding food menu is primarily vegetarian and traditionally served on a banana leaf. Known as Sadhya, this meal represents prosperity and is an essential part of every Hindu wedding.
The Sadhya includes more than 20 to 25 dishes, carefully arranged on a fresh banana leaf. The variety balances sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy flavors – a true reflection of Kerala’s culinary richness.
Some highlights include:
- Rice (the centerpiece of the feast)
- Sambar, Parippu (dal curry), and Rasam
- Avial, Thoran, Olan, Kalan, and Pachadi
- Pickles, chutneys, and banana chips
- Papadam (crispy wafers)
- Payasam (traditional dessert)
Kerala Wedding Buffet Menu
While traditional ceremonies serve the Sadhya, many modern weddings also opt for a Kerala wedding buffet menu. A buffet allows a wider selection, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
Sample Buffet Menu
- Starters – Banana chips, Cutlets (veg/chicken/fish), Paneer tikka
- Rice & Breads – White rice, Ghee rice, Neychoru, Appam, Chapati
- Vegetarian Curries – Avial, Vegetable Kurma, Paneer Butter Masala
- Non-Vegetarian Curries – Chicken Roast, Fish Curry, Mutton Stew
- Sides – Salad, Pappadam, Pickles, Pachadi
- Desserts – Palada Payasam, Gulab Jamun, Ice Cream
This mix of traditional and modern cuisines makes buffet-style weddings popular in Kerala’s cities.
Kerala Wedding Catering Menu
Many families rely on wedding catering services to handle the feast. Caterers usually offer packages based on guest count and budget.
Typical Catering Packages
- Basic Vegetarian Package – Traditional Sadhya with 18–20 items
- Standard Package – Sadhya + 1 non-veg dish (like chicken curry or fish curry)
- Premium Package – Full buffet with multi-cuisine dishes (Indian, Chinese, Continental)
A professional Kerala wedding catering menu often comes with customizable options so families can decide between traditional and modern combinations.
Kerala Wedding Food Menu
A standard Kerala wedding food menu can look like this:
- Welcome Snacks – Sarkara upperi (jaggery-coated banana fritters), Banana chips
- Main Course – Rice, Sambar, Rasam, Parippu Curry
- Vegetable Dishes – Avial, Thoran, Kalan, Olan, Pachadi
- Side Dishes – Pickles, Pappadam, Banana, Inji Curry (ginger chutney)
- Desserts – Ada Pradhaman, Palada Payasam, Semiya Payasam
This menu is usually vegetarian for Hindu weddings, but modern receptions may include chicken, mutton, or seafood items.
Kerala Wedding Food Menu List
Here’s a Kerala wedding food menu list (traditional vegetarian):
- Rice
- Parippu Curry + Ghee
- Sambar
- Rasam
- Avial
- Kalan
- Olan
- Thoran
- Pachadi
- Inji Puli (tamarind-ginger chutney)
- Pickles (mango, lime)
- Pappadam
- Banana chips & Sarkara upperi
- Buttermilk
- Ada Pradhaman (payasam)
- Palada Payasam
This is the most authentic representation of the Kerala Hindu wedding lunch menu.
Kerala Wedding Lunch Menu
The Kerala wedding lunch menu is usually served right after the wedding ceremony. Guests sit in long rows, and servers quickly arrange the feast on banana leaves.
Traditional Serving Order
- First, banana chips, sarkara upperi, pickles, and pappadam are placed.
- Then, vegetable dishes like avial, thoran, olan, and pachadi are added.
- Rice is served along with parippu curry and sambar.
- Rasam and buttermilk follow.
- Finally, payasam varieties are served (sometimes more than one).
This experience is unique, festive, and deeply tied to Kerala’s culture.
Kerala Wedding Menu
The Kerala wedding menu has two variations:
- Traditional Sadhya (vegetarian, on banana leaf)
- Reception Buffet (multi-cuisine, includes non-veg)
Families often keep the traditional Sadhya for the wedding day and a buffet for the reception to cater to all guest preferences.
Kerala Wedding Reception Food Menu
The reception food menu is more flexible and often includes a mix of Kerala, North Indian, and even international cuisines.
Sample Reception Menu
- Starters – Cutlets, Paneer tikka, Chicken lollipop, Fresh juice
- Rice & Bread – Ghee rice, Fried rice, Appam, Naan
- Veg Dishes – Paneer Butter Masala, Avial, Vegetable Kurma
- Non-Veg Dishes – Chicken Roast, Fish Molly, Mutton Curry
- Sides – Salad, Raitha, Pappadam, Pickles
- Desserts – Payasam, Ice Cream, Gulab Jamun, Cakes
This modern take makes the Kerala wedding reception food menu more appealing for younger generations.
Kerala Wedding Reception Food Menu Ideas
Here are some creative Kerala wedding reception food menu ideas:
- Traditional + Modern Combo – Sadhya for lunch, buffet for dinner.
- Seafood Special – Include prawns curry, karimeen fry, and crab roast.
- Multi-Cuisine Buffet – Kerala, North Indian, and Continental.
- Live Counters – Dosa corner, chaat stall, mocktail bar.
- Fusion Desserts – Payasam with ice cream, plum cake, mousse.
Kerala Wedding Sadhya Menu
The highlight of a Kerala Hindu wedding is the Sadhya, which can include up to 28–30 items in grand weddings.
Sample Sadhya Menu
- Rice – Kerala matta rice
- Curries – Parippu, Sambar, Rasam, Kalan, Olan
- Vegetables – Avial, Thoran, Pachadi, Erissery, Pulissery
- Snacks – Banana chips, Sarkara upperi, Pappadam
- Accompaniments – Pickles, Inji Puli, Buttermilk
- Desserts – Palada Payasam, Ada Pradhaman, Semiya Payasam
The Sadhya is always served on a banana leaf, making it eco-friendly and authentic.
Conclusion
The Kerala Hindu wedding food menu is a celebration in itself. From the traditional Kerala wedding Sadhya menu served on banana leaves to modern reception food menu ideas with buffets and multi-cuisine spreads, food is the soul of Kerala weddings.
Whether you’re planning a Kerala wedding lunch menu for the big day or a lavish reception buffet menu, balancing tradition and modern tastes ensures your guests leave with full hearts and fuller stomachs.