Try GOLD - Free
Come for the '90s vibe, stay for meat chops @ Balan Chettante Kada
The New Indian Express Kochi
|August 09, 2025
The quaint streets of Mattancherry are home to one of the area's most popular food spots: Hotel City Star, more fondly known as Balan Chettante Kada.
The quaint streets of Mattancherry are home to one of the area's most popular food spots: Hotel City Star, more fondly known as Balan Chettante Kada. Established over three decades ago, this small eatery draws a wide range of people, from loyal regulars devoted to their porotta and mutton or beef chops, to die-hard foodies who travel great distances just to see what the fuss is all about.
"We don't sell dishes like biryani here. Our menu only has porotta, idiyappam, vellayappam, puttu, and many curries to go with it. The most popular item here is meat chops. People from various places come to try it out, along with a few regular customers," says P N Balan (fondly called Balan Chettan), while managing the cash register and a long queue of customers waiting to pay.
This story is from the August 09, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kochi.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Kochi
The New Indian Express Kochi
THE WEALTH OF MERCY
N the delicious interlude between Diwali and Dev Diwali, or Kartik Poornima, that's coming up on November 5, the thoughts of many devotees may frequently dwell on the abundance of Mahalakshmi. So, it seems appropriate to talk a little about her.
4 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Fake news menace: Fact-checking chatbot to curb misinformation
THE Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MI&B) is set to take a major technological leap in its fight against misinformation and fake news with the launch of a fact-checking chatbot.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
WONDER WOMEN IN WONDERLAND
Shafali, who came into the side from semifinal stage, rises to the occasion to slam 87 off 78 SA skipper Laura Wolvaardt's century goes in vain as India lift their first-ever World Cup crown
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Ahead of talks, MHA asks Ladakh bodies to submit fresh draft of demands
AHEAD of the talks with Ladakh leaders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a fresh detailed draft from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on their charter of demands.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
'Sweden to handhold India to comply with CBAM norms'
SWEDEN will be helping India to develop industry and make more sustainable model that will help India cater to the rules and regulations of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), confirmed Sara Modig, state secretary, Ministry of Environment & Climate, Government of Sweden.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
IIHL, Invesco Mutual Fund form JV
INDUSIND International Holdings Limited (IIHL), the promoter of IndusInd Bank, and Invesco Ltd. (Invesco) have completed formation of their asset management joint venture (JV) following ITHL’s acquisition of a60% ownership stake in Invesco Asset Management India (IAMD).
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
India clinch third T20I vs Australia
WASHINGTON Sundar hit an unbeaten 49 as India chased down 187 to beat Australia by five wickets in the third Twenty20 international on Sunday and level the series.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Iran vows to rebuild nuclear sites stronger than before
IRAN said on Sunday that it would rebuild nuclear sites damaged by Israeli and US strikes “stronger than before”, as mediator Oman urged Tehran and Washington to revive stalled diplomacy.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Covid death relief only for 500 docs' kin: RTI
ONLY 500 families of doctors who succumbed to COVID-19 during the first and second waves have been compensated by the government so far, latest RTI data has revealed.
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE IPO BOOM
INDIAN financial markets are set for another blockbuster year of initial public offerings (IPOs).
2 mins
November 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size