A thali can look intimidating the first time it arrives at the table – a large plate surrounded by several small bowls, each with something different in it. It's actually one of the simplest ways to eat South Indian food, once you know what you're looking at.
So what actually is a thali?
"Thali" refers to the plate itself, but the word is used to mean the whole meal – a main plate of rice with a selection of smaller dishes served alongside it, so you get a taste of several things rather than committing to one dish. It's less a specific recipe and more a format: a complete, balanced meal served as several small components rather than one large plate of a single dish.
What's usually on a Kerala thali
- Rice – the base of the meal.
- Sambar – a tangy lentil and vegetable stew.
- A few vegetable curries – often including a coconut-based dish like avial or thoran.
- Pickle – sharp and intense, meant to be eaten in small amounts alongside the rest.
- Papadum – a thin, crisp lentil wafer.
- A sweet – to finish the meal.
At Herb, the thali is entirely vegetarian and vegan, built from the same Kerala recipes used across the rest of the menu.
How to eat it
There's no strict order. Most people mix small amounts of rice with whichever curry they're trying next, working through the bowls rather than finishing one before starting another. It's designed to be eaten that way – a bit of everything, together, rather than course by course.
Thali vs. a single curry
If you've only ever ordered a single curry with rice or naan, a thali is a different kind of meal – less about one dish done well, and more about how several dishes work together on the same plate. It's also a genuinely good way to try South Indian food for the first time, since you get several flavours in one sitting instead of guessing at a single dish from the menu.
Where to try one
Herb serves a Kerala thali at both the Leicester and Leamington Spa restaurants.
FAQ
What is included in a Kerala thali?
A Kerala thali typically includes rice, sambar, a few vegetable curries, a lentil dish, pickle, papadum, and a sweet. At Herb our thali is entirely vegetarian and vegan.
Is a thali the same as a curry?
No. A curry is a single dish, while a thali is a whole meal made up of several small dishes served together so you can taste a bit of everything in one sitting.
Is thali a good choice for someone trying South Indian food for the first time?
Yes, a thali is one of the easiest ways to try South Indian food for the first time, because it gives you a taste of several different dishes and flavours in one meal.
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