History
Solkadhi is the Koli and Konkan after-meal drink, served at every coastal fish lunch from the western coast of Maharashtra down through Goa. The pink colour comes from kokum (Garcinia indica), the coconut milk gives body, and a tempering of cumin, ginger and green chilli adds the lift. Mahesh Lunch Home, Trishna and Gajalee all pour it daily as a digestive after the seafood thali.
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Common allergens: Coconut
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 10 dried kokum (Garcinia indica) pieces
- 500ml hot water
- 200ml thick coconut milk
- 200ml thin coconut milk (or water-diluted)
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 green chillies, slit
- Half teaspoon cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- Handful of coriander, chopped
Method
- Soak dried kokum in 500ml hot water 30 minutes. Squeeze and discard the kokum, reserve the pink water.
- In a bowl, whisk together kokum water, thick coconut milk and thin coconut milk.
- Add crushed garlic, slit green chillies, cumin powder and salt. Stir well.
- Rest 10 minutes, then strain.
- Chill at least 30 minutes. Serve in small glasses garnished with coriander.
Tip from the editors. Solkadhi should be a pale pink, not deep red; if too dark, dilute with more coconut milk. Serve chilled after a fish meal.
Where to eat solkadhi
Solkadhi in Mumbai
Mahesh Lunch Home ★ 4.5
S C Karkera opened Mumbai's first dedicated Mangalorean room in Fort in 1977. The pomfret hits the tandoor whole; the fish gassi runs with thick coconut.
OrderTandoori pomfret and neer dosa.
TipOrder sol kadhi to follow the meal; the kokum drink settles the spice.
Trishna ★ 4.8
Trishna runs the koliwada coastal fish program out of a small Kala Ghoda dining room since 1965. Butter pepper garlic crab, Hyderabadi fish tikka.
Book1 week ahead
Gajalee ★ 4.4
Gajalee in Vile Parle East serves Malvani coastal cooking with the koli catch that morning. The thali runs prawns, surmai and crab with sol kadhi.
OrderBombil rava fry and Malvani prawn curry with rice.
TipSol kadhi after the meal cuts the coconut gravies. Cash and card both accepted.
More cities are in research. Want solkadhi covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.