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Vegetable Names in Malayalam — 70+ Words with Script, Manglish & Pronunciation

By DecodeMalayalam Team  |  Updated April 2026  |  10 min read

Picture this: you walk into a Kerala market — a bustling chantha — and the vendor fires a question at you in rapid Malayalam. What do you do?

If you know your vegetables in Malayalam, you smile, answer confidently, and walk away with exactly what you came for. If you don’t, you point and hope for the best.

This guide is here to make sure you’re in the first group.

Whether you’re learning Malayalam from scratch, cooking a Kerala recipe, or just trying to connect with a Malayali family member, knowing vegetable names in Malayalam is one of the most practical things you can learn. These are words you’ll use every single day.

We’ve put together 70+ vegetable names in Malayalam — complete with the Malayalam script, Manglish (Malayalam written in English letters), and useful cultural context. No jargon, no fluff. Just what you need.

The 10 Most Common Vegetable Names in Malayalam — Start Here

Don’t try to memorise everything at once. Start with these 10. They come up every day in cooking, shopping, and conversation across Kerala.

Common vegetable names in Malayalam — with script and English

Full List: 70+ Vegetable Names in Malayalam

Here is the complete reference table — Malayalam script, Manglish pronunciation, and English name — for every major vegetable you’re likely to encounter in Kerala homes, markets, and kitchens.

English and Malayalam vegetable names — side-by-side visual reference

Leafy Greens in Malayalam

Kerala’s cuisine is full of leafy vegetables — and local markets carry varieties you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Here are the most important ones to know.

ചീര — Cheera (Spinach)

This is one of the most commonly used greens in Kerala cooking. You’ll find Cheera stir-fried with coconut in nearly every home. There are two main types: Cheera (green spinach) and Chuvanna Cheera (red spinach / amaranth). If you ask for “Cheera” at a market, they’ll usually show you the green variety.

കറിവേപ്പ് — Karivepp (Curry Leaves)

Curry leaves are practically the soul of Kerala cooking. You’ll smell them the moment they hit hot oil. The Malayalam name Karivepp comes from kari (curry) and vepp (leaves). Almost no Kerala dish is complete without a handful of these.

മല്ലിയില — Malliyila (Coriander Leaves)

Known as Malliyila, fresh coriander leaves are used as a garnish across Kerala. If you’re asking for them at a market, just say “Malliyila tharenam” — meaning “I need coriander leaves.” It works every time.

മുരിങ്ങക്ക — Muringakka (Drumstick)

Drumstick is far more than just a vegetable in Kerala — it’s a tradition. The long green pods go into sambar, avial, and countless curries. Even the leaves (muringayila) are cooked and eaten. This is a word worth memorising early.

വാഴക്കൂമ്പ് — Vaazhakoomb (Banana Flower)

You won’t find this in most Western grocery stores, but in Kerala, banana flower curry is a beloved dish. The maroon blossom at the tip of a banana bunch — that’s Vaazhakoomb. If someone says they’re cooking koomb thoran, they mean a dry stir-fry of banana flower with coconut. Delicious.

Gourds and Squashes in Malayalam

Kerala has more gourd varieties than almost anywhere else. Knowing their names will save you a lot of confusion at the market.

Bitter Gourd in Malayalam — പാവയ്ക്ക (Pavaykka)

Bitter gourd, called Pavaykka in Malayalam, is one of those vegetables people either love or strongly avoid. In Kerala, it’s usually made into a dry fry or a tangy curry called Pavaykka Theeyal. The bitter taste is balanced with tamarind and coconut — and once you try it that way, you might become a convert.

Ash Gourd in Malayalam — കുമ്പളങ്ങ (Kumbalanga)

This pale green, waxy vegetable is a staple of Kerala wellness culture. Kumbalanga juice is widely consumed for digestion and cooling effects during summer. In cooking, it goes into Avial (a mixed vegetable dish) and Pulissery (yogurt-based curry). Learning this word will impress any Malayali you meet.

Roots and Tubers in Malayalam

Kerala’s soil produces a remarkable range of root vegetables — many of which are rarely seen outside South India. These come up constantly in everyday Malayalam conversation.

Tapioca in Malayalam — കപ്പ (Kappa)

Kappa (tapioca) deserves a special mention. It’s a staple food in Kerala — not just a vegetable but a cultural symbol. Kappa Biriyani and Kappa Puzhukku (mashed tapioca with coconut and spices) are beloved dishes across the state. If you sit down to eat with a Malayali family and they serve Kappa, you’re being treated to something special.

Elephant Foot Yam in Malayalam — ചേന (Chena)

Chena is a thick, rough-skinned yam that looks a bit like a giant grey rock at the market. Don’t let the appearance fool you — it’s rich, filling, and delicious when cooked properly. Chena Mezhukkupuratti (dry stir-fry with oil and spices) is a classic Kerala home-cooking dish.

Ginger in Malayalam — ഇഞ്ചി (Inchi)

In Malayalam, ginger is Inchi — short, simple, and used in almost every Kerala dish. Fresh ginger paste is a base for curries, ginger tea is a morning ritual, and pickled ginger appears in rice meals. If you learn no other root word today, learn Inchi.

Everyday Kitchen Vegetables in Malayalam

These are the vegetables that appear on the shopping list of every Kerala household. Learn these and you’ll be able to handle any trip to a local market.

English to Malayalam vegetable names — a visual learner’s reference

Tomato in Malayalam — തക്കാളി (Thakkali)

Tomatoes — Thakkali in Malayalam — are in virtually every Kerala curry. The word has a wonderful ring to it. A quick pronunciation tip: say “thak-KA-lee” with the stress on the second syllable. Practice saying it once out loud right now and you’ll remember it for life.

Onion in Malayalam — ഉള്ളി (Ulli)

Ulli is one of the easiest Malayalam words to learn — it’s short, crisp, and sounds almost like a playful exclamation. Kerala cooking uses onions in almost everything, from fish curries to egg roasts. There are also smaller varieties: Cheriya Ulli (shallots) are used in many traditional dishes and are considered more flavourful than regular onions.

Lady’s Finger in Malayalam — വെണ്ടക്ക (Vendakka)

Vendakka (lady’s finger / okra) is crispy when stir-fried and silky when cooked in curry. Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti — lady’s finger cooked in coconut oil with turmeric and chilli — is a simple, iconic Kerala dish. This is a word you’ll use at the market all the time.

Garlic in Malayalam — വെളുത്തുള്ളി (Veluthulli)

Say it slowly: Ve-lu-thu-lli. It means “white onion” — veluthu (white) + ulli (onion). This is one of those Malayalam words where knowing the meaning actually helps you remember it. Garlic is an essential base in Kerala curries, especially fish and meat dishes.

Brinjal in Malayalam — വഴുതനങ്ങ (Vazhuthananga)

Vazhuthananga is the standard word for brinjal (eggplant) in Kerala. It shows up in curries, pickles, and chutneys. The small, purple variety is especially common. In northern Kerala, you might also hear it called kathirikkai — a Tamil influence.

How to Use Vegetable Names in Real Malayalam Conversation

Knowing the words is step one. Using them is step two. Here are a few simple sentence patterns that will help you put these vegetable names to work straight away.

At the market

“Vendakka ethra varum?”
(വെണ്ടക്ക എത്ര വരും?)
→ How much for the lady’s finger?

“Oru kilo Thakkali tharenam.”
(ഒരു കിലോ തക്കാളി തരണം.)
→ I need one kilo of tomatoes.

“Inchi freshanu?”
(ഇഞ്ചി ഫ്രഷ് ആണോ?)
→ Is the ginger fresh?

In the kitchen

“Ulli adukkuka.”
(ഉള്ളി അടുക്കുക.)
→ Chop the onion.

“Veluthulli ittittundo?”
(വെളുത്തുള്ളി ഇട്ടിട്ടുണ്ടോ?)
→ Have you added garlic?

Quick Malayalam Pronunciation Guide

Malayalam can look intimidating, but the script is phonetic — every letter has one fixed sound. Here are a few quick rules to help you say vegetable names correctly:

Short vowel “a” sounds like the “u” in “cup” — not like “cake.” So Mathanga is “Mu-THUN-ga” to a Malayalam ear.

Double letters matter. Thakkali has a strong “kk” — hold it a fraction of a second longer than a single “k.” It sounds different, and Malayalis will appreciate the effort.

“zh” (ഴ) is unique to Malayalam. It’s a retroflex sound — made by curling the tongue back. Words like Vaazhakoomb contain this. For beginners, saying a soft “l” sound instead is perfectly acceptable and understandable.

Endings matter. Many vegetable names end in -kka or -nga: Vendakka, Pavaykka, Padavalanga, Kumbalanga. Once you get the rhythm of these endings, pronouncing new words becomes easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve Got the Words — Now Let’s Make Them Stick

Learning vegetable names in Malayalam is genuinely one of the best places to start — these are real, everyday words that come up constantly in conversation, at the market, and in the kitchen.

Here’s a simple challenge: the next time you cook, name each vegetable out loud in Malayalam as you prep it. Ulli. Thakkali. Inchi. Veluthulli. Do it three times this week and you’ll have these words for life.

If you want to go further — and learn to actually speak Malayalam in full sentences, understand native speakers, and hold a real conversation — there’s a faster way than studying alone.

And while you’re here — explore more Malayalam vocabulary:

• 60+ Fruit Names in Malayalam
• 100+ Fish Names in Malayalam
• Colours in Malayalam
• Animal Names in Malayalam
• Learn the Malayalam Alphabet (Aksharamala)

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