The Ten Fold

Some dishes impress with luxury. Others stay in your heart because they remind you of home. Pothichoru is one of those dishes.

At TSRS – The Spice Route Social, our signature The Ten Fold (Pothi Chor) is more than a meal—it is a celebration of Kerala's traditions, family memories, and timeless flavours. Wrapped in a fresh banana leaf and carefully layered with authentic Kerala dishes, every parcel tells a story of heritage, simplicity, and love.

For many people from Kerala, opening a Pothichoru instantly brings back memories of school lunches, family picnics, train journeys, road trips, and meals lovingly prepared by parents and grandparents. For those discovering Kerala cuisine for the first time, it offers one of the most authentic ways to experience the region's rich culinary culture.

What is Pothichoru?

The word "Pothichoru" comes from two Malayalam words: Pothi – to wrap or fold, and Choru – cooked rice. Together, they describe a complete meal wrapped in a banana leaf.

Long before lunch boxes became common, families across Kerala packed freshly cooked meals in banana leaves. The natural oils released from the leaf as the warm rice rested inside infused the food with a unique aroma that cannot be replicated by plastic or metal containers. Even today, Pothichoru remains one of Kerala's most beloved traditional meals.

Why Banana Leaf Makes It Special

A banana leaf is far more than eco-friendly packaging. As the warm rice and curries rest inside the folded leaf, subtle natural oils are released, gently enhancing the flavour and aroma of the meal. This creates the unmistakable fragrance that makes Pothichoru so memorable. The banana leaf also helps keep the food moist while allowing each ingredient to blend naturally without becoming soggy.

The Story Behind Kerala's Favourite Packed Meal

Before modern lunch boxes, people across Kerala carried Pothichoru to work, school, farms, construction sites, fishing boats, and long journeys. Parents would wake early in the morning to prepare fresh rice, curries, vegetables, and pickles before carefully wrapping everything inside a banana leaf. By lunchtime, the flavours would have mingled beautifully, creating a meal that was richer and more aromatic than when it was first packed.

Pothichoru became more than practical food—it became a symbol of care, family, and tradition. Even today, many Malayalis say the aroma of opening a banana leaf parcel instantly reminds them of childhood.

What Makes The Ten Fold at TSRS Unique?

At TSRS, we wanted to honour this tradition while creating a signature dining experience worthy of our menu. Our The Ten Fold (Pothi Chor) is thoughtfully layered inside a fresh banana leaf to capture the authentic character of Kerala's classic wrapped meal. Every parcel is freshly prepared using carefully selected ingredients and traditional cooking methods, allowing the flavours to develop naturally inside the leaf before it reaches your table.

A Symphony of Kerala Flavours

Depending on how you unwrap the parcel, you may enjoy:

The Secret is in the Layers

Our signature name, The Ten Fold, represents more than simply folding a banana leaf. It symbolises the many layers that make this dish exceptional:

Comfort Food with a Story

Many guests describe Pothichoru as Kerala's ultimate comfort food. It isn't designed to be extravagant. Instead, it celebrates honest cooking using fresh ingredients prepared with patience and care — the philosophy that great food doesn't have to be complicated, it simply has to be authentic.

Perfect for Every Occasion

The Ten Fold is ideal for:

Why Pothichoru Remains a Kerala Favourite

Even as modern dining has evolved, Pothichoru continues to hold a special place in Kerala's food culture. It connects generations — children who once carried banana leaf lunches to school now introduce the tradition to their own families. At TSRS, we are proud to bring that same experience to Stoke-on-Trent.