Malvani cuisine is a standard cuisine of Tarkarli and for the entire Konkan region. Though the cuisines of Malvan are predominantly non vegetarian i.e. especially sea foods, there are a few mouth watering delicious vegetarian delicacies which visiting travelers can try.

A typical Malvani cuisine uses liberal quantities of coconut in all its form i.e. dried, grated, paste and milk. Combined with generous portions of dried red chilies, coriander seeds, cardamom, ginger, garlic, kokum, tamarind and garam masala along with other spices, this combination of spices is called as ‘Malvani Masala’ which is used in almost all Malvani dishes.

Malvani cuisines may be a bit too spicy for some people but it is very tasty and the meal is generally wrapped up with a glass of Solkadi.

So let’s have a look at a few dishes that are quintessentially Malvani which you may try on your visit to Tarkarli.

Spicy Curries:

Spicy curries are the highlight of this region which forms the base (masala) of most the dishes both vegetarian and non vegetarian and are prepared in 2 ways, One is the Rasgoli mixture which is made from freshly scraped coconut and a variety of spices are added whereas the second is called a Bhajan wherein the mixture is made of stronger spices with roasted coconut and onion.

Breads:

In Malvani cuisines one will be spoilt of choices when it comes to breads which are easy to make and are an absolute essential as they are the perfect accompaniment with spicy curries of this region.

Locals of Malvan prefer pancakes called as ‘Amboli’ which is made of soft rice flour, thin ‘Puri’s’ made of wheat flour and ‘Vades’ which is made of a mix of wheat and ragi flour.

Non Vegetarian Cuisines of Tarkarli

Kombdi Vade

Also popularly known as Murgh Malvani, this non vegetarian dish is popular with the people of Malvan and the dish contains the traditional Malvani Chicken Curry along with Vade(Puri), onion, lemon and is served along with Solkadi.

The Vade similar to a Puri and is made using rich flour of wheat and Ragi and is later deep fried, it is a perfect companion to mop up the spicy Chicken curry. Vegetarians can enjoy these Vades (Puri’s) with Kala Vatayanchi Usal.

Sea Foods of Tarkarli

The Malvani region is blessed with a long coastline hence sea foods dominate the Malvani Cuisine.

Sea Foods especially fishes are marinated in a delicious masala (red or green) and then coated with rice flour and later fried in coconut oil these fish recipes are classic Malvani.

Malvani Fish Curry is the only dish in India where the fish is first boiled and then blended with coconut based curries.

Bangda Fry is another popular dish of this region which is prepared by removing the head of the fish while the remaining part is fried as a whole along with Malvani Masala.

Bombil Fry or Bombay Duck is another prominent dish and is known to be really soft, fleshy and crispy; the fish is light on the stomach and is very economical.

Paplet Saar is a dish consists of Prom fret cooked in traditional Malvani Fish Curry.

Mori Masala also known as Shark Curry is a very popular dish with the locals of Konkan.

The more adventurous can try ‘Kavda Curry’ which is an extremely delicious dish made from a local Konkani bird called ‘Khavda’.

Other seafood dishes like crabs, prawns, and shell fish are available in abundance.

So, while visiting Tarkarli, try out Malvani some dishes which are authentic and tantalizing and there are some non vegetarian dishes which are not be missed i.e. Prawns Masala, Fish Fry, Pomfret, Crab Masala, Lobster Masala, Kalva(Oyster) Masala etc.

Vegetarian cuisines of Tarkarli

Most restaurants in Tarkarli and Malvan also serve spicy mouth watering vegetarian dishes, the standard vegetarian Thali is easily available at all restaurants.

But not all cuisines in Tarkarli are hot and spicy; Tarkarli is home to a size-able population of the ‘Konkanastha Brahmins’ who are vegetarians though their food style is slightly bland but it has an excellent taste and a home stay at Tarkarli will give you an opportunity to indulge in home cooked food and enjoy authentic local flavors.

Toi – is a lentil preparation and is the Malvani version of Dal. The flavors are really mild and its taste is enriched with a spoonful of ghee. More like a soup it is best eaten with boiled rice and a spicy accompaniment is in form of chutney or a pickle.

Try out Malvani Phansachi Bhaji which is an exotic vegetarian dish made of Jack fruit, chilies and various other spices.

Kaju Chi Aamti is a spicy curry made of Kajus(Cashews) and is savored by both locals and visiting tourist.Vegetarians visiting Tarkarli can relish some local delicacies like Ghavne Amboli, Modak and Puran Poli. A must try is the Malvani drumstick curry.

Solkadi:

Solkadi is pink in color and is an energizing and digestive drink often accompanied along with a hot and spicy meal.

The people of Malvan wrap up their meal with a delicious glass of Solkadi which is made of kokam, coconut milk, garlic, ginger and cumin seeds. It is an ideal way to douse the internal fires that Malvani cuisines invariably spark off.

Other Local delicacies to try at Tarkarli

The entire Konkan region including Tarkarli is famous for fresh cashew nuts and during your stay in Tarkarli you must try the locally made Cashew Bars, Amba Poli(Aam Papad), Amba Vadi, Karvande Vadi and Kokam Vadi. All these home made products are delectable and safe, make sure you try some and take back home for your family and friends.

Dhondhas or Cucumber Cake is unique to this region and is baked from a mixture of cucumber, rava and jaggery and not everyone can come up with this excellent cake recipe, a must try when in Tarkarli.

Ghavan is a fried pancake and is especially popular in the Sindhudurg district.

Khaproli is a sweet dish which is highly popular in Konkan region and the sweet dish consists of a fluffy pancake which is enjoyed by dipping the pancake in yellow sweet juice.

Malvani Malpua is a popular sweet dish which is a deep – fried delicacy which highly popular during the holy month of Ramzaan.

The beautiful town of Malvan is also known for its extensive variety of mangoes and if you are visiting Tarkarli during the summer months then try out the most popular mangoes like ‘Malvani Hapus’ or Alphonso mangoes.

Tarkarli is a village in Malvan taluka in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and it is an ideal getaway for travelers from Mumbai, Pune and other neighboring cities. A visit here ensures travelers a peaceful, tranquil and secluded time away from the hustle bustle of city life.

Family vacationers, small group of friends and couples can spend some exciting and memorable moments as Tarkarli has something for everyone.

Beaches :

The beaches of Malvan are unexplored gems, so if you are a lover of sea and virgin beaches then take a break from the overcrowded beaches of Goa and head straight to the beaches in Malvan the most happening place to be.

The beaches at Tarkarli are one of the most picturesque in Malvan, with an 8 km of coastline the beaches have white sand, clear blue waters and suru trees at the backdrop that add to the splendor of the beach.

The waters here are so clear that the seabed can be seen up to a depth of 15 feet on a bright sunny day and it is truly an enchanting experience to stroll on the beach with nature’s music and cool breeze all around.

Water sports :

If you are a water sport enthusiast you need not go all the way to Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep Islands or Goa to enjoy it. Today Tarkarli has developed a good infrastructure for water sports and is the only place in Maharashtra where you can enjoy multiple water sport activities including underwater adventure activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.

The best part is that all these water sport activities including underwater activities (scuba diving) can be enjoyed at affordable rates and those keen on becoming professionals can enroll for special certified courses at the training centers at Malvan.

Water Sport Activities: Para sailing, Banana rides, Boat rides, Jet Ski, Kayaking, Bumper ride, Scuba diving, Snorkeling etc.

Forts :

A must visit for history buffs, as Tarkarli has a special mention in history because of its connection to the legendary Maratha warrior Shivaji Maharaj.

Here tourist can visit the famous 17th century Sindhudurg Fort a prominent naval fort built by Shivaji Maharaj along with other forts – Padmagad, Rajkot and Sarjekot fort.

Beach Games and Activities :

The beaches of Tarkarli are clean and pleasant and have all the required ingredients to meet the expectations of beach lovers. For couples it is an ideal place to enjoy a romantic holiday as the beaches here are less crowded and peaceful.

If reading and sunbathing on a beach is your idea of an ideal holiday, then bring in a mat, a hat and a mini umbrella and enjoy lazing around the whole day. The blend of seas and sands will work wonders and will make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.

Children can indulge in a host of activities like sand sculpturing, collecting pebbles and shells or enjoy horse or camel ride. Youngsters like enjoy beach games like Cricket, Beach Volleyball, French Cricket and Frisbee games.

Spotting dolphins and marine life :

Dolphins have always been a thrill to watch, and Tarkarli is a wonderful place to catch a glimpse of schools of dolphins and other sea animals in their natural habitat.

Furthermore Tarkarli is also a protected area for turtle nesting and if tourists are lucky they can get a glimpse of this rare event. Underwater adventure enthusiast can explore rich coral reefs, a vast diversity of marine life and abundant colorful fishes during their underwater trips.

Visit to the temples :

Combine your sightseeing in Tarkali with a dash of religion and pay a visit to the numerous temples in and around Tarkarli and learn more about their rich history and their beautiful architecture.

The temples of Tarkarli are beautiful and well maintained by the locals and their attractiveness and deep spiritual power makes them popular with visiting tourist.

Relish authentic Malvani Cuisine :

After enjoying a wonderful day in the white sands and the blue waters of Tarkarli, tourist can unwind and indulge in some mouthwatering, spicy Malvani Cuisines.

Malvani cuisine is the standard cuisine of the entire Konkan region and it includes both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. The restaurants in Tarkarli serve some of the best vegetarian specials in Malvani cuisine followed by delicious sea foods.

However, Tarkarli is a paradise for non vegetarians as the region has abundant seafood and Malvani cuisines are dominated with many varieties of fish and other non vegetarian dishes.

Backwaters of Tarkarli :

Now you need not travel all the way to Kerala to experience a houseboat cruise in the backwaters. The backwater of the Karli River between Tarkarli and Kudal is a hotspot for backwater cruise in Maharashtra and has become a star attraction with visiting tourist who can enjoy an overnight stay in a luxury houseboat.

Situated on the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Karli River, the scenic beauty of the backwaters at Tarkarli is beyond imagination, the river banks surrounding the river are covered with verdant forests and can be compared to a ride across the Amazon forest.

Shop for Malvani Items :

It is impossible to think of a holiday without the thrill of shopping in Malvan, visiting tourist can buy fresh cashew nuts from factory outlets at reasonable prices and take back home some yummy local items like Aam papad, Amba wadi, Kokum, Karvanda, Kaju chocolates and authentic Malvani spices for their friends and family.

Try a Home stay and enjoy the local flavors :

Whether you are seeking a relaxing or an adventurous holiday, home stays in Tarkarli offer a great alternative to the usual beach hotels and resorts.

Most locals in Tarkarli have opened their homes to tourists and they offer decent service and food, visiting tourist can lookout for home stays that are closest to the beach and yes do try their homemade food, you will surely love it. Renting a bike culture has also seeped into Tarkarli and most home stay owner will be more than happy to help you rent one.

Meet the friendly people of Tarkarli :

Be it any season, the locals of Tarkarli always look forward to welcome tourist and they are famous for their warmth and hospitality.

The people of Tarkarli always meet visiting tourist with a smile and are always willing to help, they live life to the fullest and if lucky you might end up making some good friends during your trip.