Koinonia Restaurant Newark | Menu

a taste of its own!

Kerala

- CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2015 WINNER

koinoniarestaurant.com

Where is Kerala?

With luscious greenery, serene backwaters, a tropical climate and stunning food and drink, Kerala has become one of India’s most popular tourist destinations for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

Often known locally as God’s Own Country because of its beauty, the south Indian region of Kerala has long been a culinary centre of excellence in this vast country. The Keralan people have cultivated their own herbs and spices for many years, using them to produce dishes of outstanding quality.

You’ll find it hard to find such a truly perfect balance of calm, serenity and heavenly food in the rest of India. The Keralan people are famed for their warm hospitality and gracious nature, something we’re passionate about bringing you a taste of at Koinonia.

Perhaps Kerala is most famous for its extensive backwater network. Here you’ll find more than 900km of canals, rivers and lagoons all joined together. There’s nothing better than experiencing sunrise or sunset over these wonderful waterways.

Start your journey to Kerala by sampling the food and the wonderful hospitality of this remarkable place at Koinonia. If you’re a lover of tasty Indian cuisine full of flavours and freshness, you’ll love the Koinonia experience.

Welcome to Koinonia, Newark’s very own Keralan oasis.

FAST SNACKS & TREATS -Palaharam Traditional ‘naalumani palaharam’ (evening snack) from God’s Own Country. It is an extremely popular treat and is given to any guests when visiting a house. They’re best accompanied with our unique chutneys and pickles and they are served in a basket.

• Murukku - Savory crunchy twists made with rice and urad dal.

• Nenthrakayi Oopperi - Traditional kerala chips made from plantains.

• Pappadoms - Pappadoms (a large circular piece of thin, spiced bread made from ground lentils and fried in oil) dipped in medium spiced batter of rice flour, cumin and sesame seed and fried to give them an extra crunch.

• Pakkavada - Spicy snack prepared by making the batter ribbony using seva press and deep fried.

£4.19

NON-VEGETARIAN STARTERS • Chemmeen Ellavan Fry

£6.49

Prawns marinated in spices, then briefly stirred on the stove together with onion, curry leaves and tender coconut.

• Kanava Peera

£5.69

Kanava, otherwise known as squid, marinated in typical Koinonian spices, briefly stired on the stove with onions, curry leaves and coconut.

• Meen Porichathu - Fish Fry

£5.89

Fish marinated in masala and then shallow fried for a crunchy and spicy flavour. Served with sallas salad.

• Varkala Mixed Sea Food Platter

£10.99

A traditional assortment of prawns, fish, squid and crab cake, served with fresh seasonal salad.

• Chicken Thattu Roast

£5.79

A spicy preparation of chicken with roasted masala.

• Lamb Pepper Fry

£5.89

A tasty and must-try recipe for lamb lovers, with pepper and garlic infused with masala.

• Nadan Erachi Dry Fry (Beef)

£6.29

Bite-sized pieces of beef cooked with ginger, garlic and shallots with authentic Keralan spices.

• Mala Kozhi Fry

£5.89

Chef Mani’s special chicken cooked with traditional Kerala spices.

• Kumarakom Egg Fry

£5.29

Boiled egg cubes, deep fried with roasted masala spices.

SOUP • Thakkali Rasam

£3.99

The essence of Kerala - a peppery tomato broth laced with garlic, spices and tamarind.

• Chemmeen Coconut Soup

£4.59

A shrimp-flavoured broth with tender coconut, herbs and spices.

• Seafood Rasam

£4.59

Squid, prawns and fish in a tomato broth with garlic and spices.

VEGETARIAN STARTERS • Asparagus Parippu Usili

£5.29

Usili is a very popular Brahmin dish. Lentils with asapragus to form a scrumptious dish.

• Sambar Vada

£4.29

Lentil doughnut immersed in delicious regional vegetables and lentil curry. Garnished with cilantro.

• Paneer Potato Pollichathu

£6.59

Paneer and potato encased with aromatic masala.

• Vazhuthanga Porichathu

£4.29

• Chilli Paneer

£5.69

Eggplant slices deep fried in gram flour batter and sprinkled with chat masala and curry leaves.

Deep fried cubes of Indian cottage cheese with chilli, pepper, onion and garlic.

• Veg Samosa

£4.99

Deep fried pastry filled with potatoes, peas & spices.

• Dahi Batata Poori

£4.59

Sweetened, spiced mashed potatoes and chutneys filled inside small fried breads and topped with yogurt and crunchy chickpea noodles.

Our dishes may contain traces of nuts

DOSA CORNER

Dosa is a pancake made from a mixture of soaked lentils and rice grounded together and fermented overnight.

All dosa are served with sambar and chutney.

• Koinonia Masala Dosa

£5.99

• Gopuram Dosa (plain dosa)

£5.49

• Brahmin Masala Dosa

£5.29

• Cheese Dosa

£5.29

• Mixed Oothappam

£5.99

Crispy Crepe made of fermented rice and lentil with potato masala, cooked on a hot flat griddle plate, served with sambar and chutney.

Crispy Cone shaped crepe made of fermented rice and lentil served with sambar and chutney.

The ‘Spicy Onion Chutney’ is what makes the Brahmin Masala different from ordinary masala dosas. The spicy chutney adds a beautiful flavour and spice which makes this dosa so delicious.

Crispy crepe topped with grated cheese. An ideal snack for kids or adults alike.

Thick pancake with different toppings cooked right into the batter served with sambar and chutney.

Oothappam is is often called South Indian pizza.

MALABAR KOZHI BIRIYANI

£10.29

Ethnic biriyani from the Malabar region of Kerala prepared by cooking long grain rice and chicken in cow ghee with green chillies, whole spices, home-ground garam masala powder, cashew nuts and raisins garnished with hard boiled egg.

MAIN COURSE - From Fisherman’s Cove • Chemmeen Moilee (Prawn Stew)

£13.29

• Kozhikoden Njandu Masala (Crab)

£13.99

• Manga Meen Curry (Fish with Mango) £11.59

• Lobster Malabari

£28.99

• Kudampully Fish Curry

£11.59

• Koonthal Nirachathu

£14.99

• Meen Pollichathu

£12.59

• Kochin Seafood Curry

£14.99

The word moilee means stew. Prawns are stewed in coconut milk with a low spiced flavour of masala; the flavour of the prawns can then dominate the taste.

Fresh fish and green mango in a mild coconut gravy. A very unique flavour.

Fresh fish is cooked with raw unseasoned spices along with kudampuli. Tangy and spicy fish curry.

A typical preparation of fish with homemade spice wrapped in banana leaves, it’s mostly served in toddy shops (local pubs) and back waters.

Crab curry with chef’s special masala. A typical Kerala style delicacy with great aroma and taste. Served with shells.

Lobster with coconut gravy, curry leaves, shallots & ginger.

Minced chicken and prawns stuffed in squid, with rich coconut gravy. Chef Mani’s speciality.

Fish, squid, prawns and mussells cooked in fresh coconut milk, prepared with carefully chosen spices and herbs.

MAIN COURSE- Pachakari (The Garden) • Pachacurry Kootu Curry

£5.29

• Vazhuthanaga Puli Curry (Aubergine)

£6.99

• Channa Masala

£6.29

• Vendakka Pal Curry (Okra)

£6.39

• Kariveppila Kizhang

£5.89

• Mathanga Erishery (Pumpkin)

£5.79

• Cheera Paneer

£7.39

• Paripu Manga Curry

£6.29

Traditional curry served in Kerala sadhya. Mixed vegetable curry with mild spices.

Chick peas gently simmered in creamy gravy with traditional spices.

Dry preparation of curry leaves, potato, onions and garlic roasted and simmered in turmeric and spices.

A tasty vegetarian dish of spinach & paneer, seasoned with garlic and garam masala.

Aubergine cooked in a tangy tomato and tamarind gravy garnished with fried onions and curry leaves.

Okra cooked with whole spices, coconut milk and topped with fried shallots and curry leaves.

Pumpkin made with ground coconut paste, pumpkin and finally seasoned with roasted coconut.

Delicious lentils stew using raw mango, coconut milk and cumin seeds.

Our dishes may contain traces of nuts

KOINONIA SADYA VATTAM (Thali)

A Special Keralan traditional feast normally called Thali. With many varieties of authentic Kerala curries, and a choice of bread and rice, it is a three course set meal. Start with soup followed by a main course and then payasam (dessert). Both veg and non-veg available.

Veg-Thali

£15.19

Non-Veg Thali

£17.19

MAIN COURSE- From Errachi Kada (The Butchers) • Tharavu Mappas (Duck Mappas)

£13.29

This is a rich, spice-laden duck curry with coriander and coconut gravy - a speciality from Syrian Christian cuisine.

• Varutharacha Kozhi Curry (Chicken Malabar)

£9.19

• Kozhi Khorma

£8.89

• Kozhi Kurumulagu Peralan (Chicken)

£8.89

• Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)

£9.29

Bite size pieces of chicken simmered in whole spices and cooked in roasted coconut and red masala.

Chicken simmered in whole spices and cooked with cashew nuts and onion with a little extra spice.

An exotic chicken curry from God’s own country, cooked in a spicy peppercorn sauce.

• Nadan Erachi Kootu Curry

£11.99

• Railway Mutton Curry

£11.29

• Erachi Kunji Pathiri (Lamb)

£11.89

Our Grandmother’s signature Keralan recipe, lamb cooked to perfection with homemade ground curry paste, whole spices and herbs with finely toasted with fresh spinach and coconut milk.

Railway mutton curry takes you back to the colonial era when travelling by first class train were for the privileged. This not too spicy mutton dish used to be served in the railway refreshment room and long distance train to cater the British palate.

Small rice balls steamed and cooked along with tasty meat curry.

Chicken tikka cooked in rich cashew nuts and tomato based mild gravy finishing with fresh cream & butter.

RICE • Thenga Choru (Coconut Rice)

SALAD £2.99

Long grain rice mixed with onions, grated coconut, urud dal and curry leaves.

• Neeyu Choru (Pulav Rice)

£3.29

Mappila specialty preparation of long grain rice with coconut milk, ghee, whole spices, dry fruits and nuts.

• Naranga Choru (Lemon Rice)

£2.99

• Koonu Choru (Mushroom Rice)

• Koinonia Special Salad £4.69 Our Chef’s special Koinonian Salad. A refreshing salad with mango, carrots, lettuce, tomato and a dash of fresh lemon juice.

FROM THE ADUPPU • Chappati (2 pieces) Flat Indian bread made of wheat flour

£2.59

£3.29

• Malabar Paratha

£1.99

• Garlic and Peanut Rice

£3.29

• Thattil Kutti Dosa (3 pieces)

£2.99

• Appam (2 pieces)

£2.89

• Thayir Sadam (Curd Rice)

£4.49

• Kallappam (2 pieces)

£2.89

• Plain Rice

£2.99

• Poori (2 pieces)

£2.99

A delicious rice recipe with tanginess of lemon, nuts, curry leaves and mustard seeds.

Mouthwatering recipe with sliced button mushrooms, garlic, chilli flakes, mustard and curry leaves.

Long grain rice cooked with garlic peanuts and aromatic spice. Chef Mani’s speciality rice.

A cooling mixture of rice and yogurt tempered with asafetida and mustard seeds.

Steamed plain white basmati rice.

A many layered white flour fine bread, crisp and flaky cooked to perfection on a griddle.

A kutti dosa made on “thattu”, (a wide hot plate)

Made from fermented rice batter & coconut milk.

Fluffy in the centre. Also known as hoppers.

The Keralite Kallappam is a thin, spongy fermented pancake with a light tang from the yeast. A distinct flavour of shallots, cumin and grated ground coconut.

Fluffy fried flat bread made from wheat flour.

Our dishes may contain traces of nuts

DESSERTS • Coconut Pancakes

£3.89

Folded pancakes with stewed fresh coconut, dry fruits and sugar.

• Payasam of the day

£2.99

Traditional pudding of Kerala cooked in reduced milk, jaggery/sugar and ghee.

• Unnakkaya

£3.89

Ripe plantain steamed and pasted, tossed in ghee with sugar, made into dumplings stuffed with coconut, cardamom, cashew nuts, raisins and golden fried.

• Pal Kozhukkatai

£2.99

Indian sweet dumpling made from rice flour, grated coconut, jaggery/sugar in a sweet coconut sauce.

Chef Mani speciality.

• Gulab Jamun with Ice Cream

£3.89

Milk dough dumpling, deep fried and soaked in a sweet syrup. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Choice of Ice Creams

£2.99

Vanilla, chocolate or strawberry

• Kulfi

£3.99

Mango, Pista or Almond flavour. Delicious and smooth Indian rich ice cream

FOOD ALLERGY? Before placing your order, please inform a member of our team if a person in your party has a food allergy and we’ll do our best to help.

Food prepared here may contain or have come in to contact with nuts, sesame, crustaceans, mustard, fish, molluscs, milk, eggs and soybeans among others.

a taste of its own!

- CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2015 WINNER

koinoniarestaurant.com