We all know Northeast India as one of the least-explored and unknown regions in the country. Therefore, the beauty of its natural surroundings, historical marvels and age-old culture remains unveiled. It is also one of the few places in the country which have a unique image amongst tourists. Some know it as a land of tribes, numerous as the land of natural wonders and a few as the land of beautiful culture. In other words, it is a perfect amalgamation of culture, history and nature. But do you know Northeast India is also popular for its savoury local cuisine which cannot be enjoyed elsewhere in the world? Yes, if you are a foodie and always look forward to savouring unique flavours, then this article is certainly for you. Following are the topmost dishes in Northeast India every traveller must try. There were seven sister states that comprises the northeast states of India, recently Sikkim was added to the club. Anyway the food habit of most of the states are almost similar to a certain point in a unique way. But I would say that majority of the people relishes meat but there are various vegetables that we do eat in this part of the country. Though, most the states are heavily dependent on meat as the main diet, there are many who eats vegetables as well. I have only been to few places in the northeast myself and cannot really say much but I can certainly say that we eat all kinds of meat available. Anyway to club the whole thing together, 90% of the people eat meat rather than vegetables. And we don’t like the spices that much, all that we know about spices are garlic, ginger, onion and chilly peppers. But from all these people don’t really like garlic and onion as it smells different, I guess. The best way to understand the food habit is to come to Northeast India and experience it yourself or you can go to NEfest that’s happening in most of the major cities in India.
Iromba: One of the most popular Manipuri dishes, iromba is made out of fermented fish and other boiled vegetables. It is majorly known for its strong and penetrating smell. The major ingredients used in this mouthwatering dish include mushroom, potato, green leaves and red chillies. It is mainly eaten with rice. It is cent per cent sure that if you are a foodie and have treated your taste buds with this delectable dish, you will be reluctant to leave Manipur, such is the aroma of iromba. So, next time you are on your trip to Northeast India, do not forget to relish this flavoured dish.
Smoked Pork: If you love pork and would go up to any extent to savour its unique dishes, then smoked pork of Nagaland is your thing. One of the most consummated dishes in the state, smoked pork is cooked with bamboo shoots and Sichuan pepper leaves. Even though there are several methods of preparing this local dish, the most common amongst all is the boiling of bamboo shoots with pepper leaves. It is one of the few dishes in Northeast India which deserves to be savoured on account of its popularity. It is rightly said that the real taste of Nagaland lies in its smoked pork.
Khar: Another dish which adorns the dining tables of Northeast India, khar is a popular dish in the state of Assam. A meal in Assam is certainly incomplete without this toothsome and tempting dish, which is made out of raw papaya, vegetables, fish and mustard leaves. However, there are several other ways of preparing khar which include the use of ingredients like dried neem leaves, urad beans, jute leaves, bamboo shoot, bitter gourd and sewali phool. It is mainly eaten with rice at lunchtime.
Sanpiau: If you think you can only savour non-vegetarian dishes in Northeast India and that there is no room for vegetarians, then you really need to taste sanpiau. One of the few popular vegetarian dishes in Northeast India, sanpiau is eaten as a snack in Mizoram. It is a simple yet lip-smacking dish which can provide your taste buds with an everlasting taste. It is made out of boiled rice and is garnished with coriander leaves and onion slices. You must not miss enjoying its finger-licking flavour while in Mizoram.
Gyathuk: Ever tried steamy noodle soup? If not, then you must savour the scrumptious taste of gyathuk, which is generally a Tibetan noodle soup. It is prepared in several other parts of India, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland. But the taste of this full-flavoured dish is quite appetising in Sikkim. It is made by boiling noodles and other vegetables and is characterised by a spicy flavour. Do you know gyathuk is also one of the few dishes in India which are equally popular in countries like Nepal and Tibet?
Zan: Arunachal Pradesh is a land of wonders and it is not a new thing for tourists now. One thing which has popularised its beauty is its local cuisine and age-old culture. Zan is one amongst those popular dishes in Arunachal Pradesh which make it an offbeat destination for foodies. Zan is made out of millet flour and boiled vegetables and can be served with meat or other cooked vegetables. This luscious dish is popular across the state and can be savoured anywhere. So, here you get another reason to add Arunachal Pradesh on your bucket list.
Laksa: Like many other parts of the country, rice is a staple in Assam too. Laksa is a delicious noodle soup which is made using rice noodles. The rice noodles are mixed with chicken, prawn or fish with a blend of coconut milk, tamarind and spices to come up with a delightfully soul-satisfying broth. The very taste of this exquisite food, awakens your taste buds and makes you want it more. A similar soup with more south-east asian flavours is served in parts of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia too
Thukpa: Thukpa is known to have originated in Tibet but the dish has travelled far and beyond and is now a favourite amongst the locals of Arunachal Pradesh. It is prepared with flat noodles along with meat or local available hill veggies. Thenthuk is a similar dish available here and uses hand-pulled or bite sized noodles instead of flat noodles. This comforting dish is eaten especially during freezing winters of Arunachal Pradesh to stay warm and cozy.
Kappa: Best in Shillong (Meghalaya): Tourists love to have kappa on the streets and alleys of Shillong. The dewy climate of Meghalaya makes this a perfect snack to keep them warm. It is made using chicken entrails (chicken intestines and other inner body parts), the freshness of this soup can be attributed to the fresh garden spices added at the end.
Chikhvi/Pork Bharta from Tripura: Pork is commonly eaten by locals in Tripura, and the meat is enjoyed in several different ways. One of the more popular dishes is chikvi or pork bharta and is a must-try if you are a foodie. A stir fry of sliced pork with bamboo shoots or peeled onions, ginger, roasted chilli, and flavored herbs, this can also be prepared with soaked green papaya seeds, green chillies, turmeric, rice flour and lime leaves which give it an enhanced flavor.
Thenthuk: Thenthuk is a hearty hand-pulled noodle soup made from meat stock, local hill vegetables
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