Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a city and port in the Indian state of Kerala. The culture of the city can be termed as predominantly South Indian. Residents of Kochi are known as Kochiites; they are an important part of the South Indian weltanschauung. Being the largest city in Kerala, the culture of Kochi is significantly more cosmopolitan than the rest of the state. The city is cosmopolitan in many ways, due to its exposure to foreign tourists. Nightlife is scarce and the city shuts down post 10pm, however there are a few women-friendly bars and late night cafes present in the city, such as Mezzo in Avenue Regent (last call 10:45PM) and Tonico cafe (shuts down at 2:00AM). Historical influences Kochi's culture was enriched by successive waves of migration over the course of several millennia. The city once had a large Jewish community that figured prominently in Kochi's business and economic strata. Known as the Malabar Yehuden—and now increasingly as Cochin Jews—the community has now almost entirely migrated to Israel and the United States. Also Kochi is the economic and financial capital of the state and is slowly turning into one of the commercial cities of India. Syrian Orthodoxy was the sole Christian tradition in Kochi for a long time. However, the Portuguese arrival in the 16th century, led to Roman Catholicism being a dominant force. Contemporary culture Kochi has a diverse, multicultural, and secular community consisting of Hindus, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Konkanis and Buddhists among other denominations. Today, the population of the city is a mix of people from all parts of Kerala and most of India. The city's pan-Indian nature is highlighted by the substantial presence of various ethnic communities from different parts of the country. The presence of the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command adds to the cosmopolitan nature of the city. The people are also increasingly fashion-conscious, often deviating from the traditional Kerala wear to western casual clothing. Kochi has also played host to a number of high-profile fashion shows, including ones sponsored by Fashion Television. Kochi is also the venue of the annual Cochin Flower Show Cuisine Kochiites generally partake of Keralite cuisine, which is generally characterised by an abundance of coconut and spices. Other South Indian cuisines and Chinese cuisine are popular. Fast food culture is very prominent; a large number of fast food outlets include those operated by