Famous Food In North East India: Exploring The Culinary Delights Of Seven Sister States

If you’re a food lover looking to expand your palate, then North East India is the place to visit. This region is known for its variety of flavorful, aromatic, and spicy delicacies that can leave you craving for more. Consisting of seven states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura – North East India is home to diverse cultures, each with their own unique cuisine.

🍛 What Are The Famous Foods In North East India?

In this article, we will take a look at the famous food in North East India that you absolutely must try when visiting the region. From momos to smoked pork, bamboo shoot-based dishes to fish curries, this region has something for everyone.

🍢 Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is known for its flavorful and spicy cuisine, with a focus on meat-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Momos

This Tibetan dish is popular all over India, but the momos of Arunachal Pradesh are particularly special. Made with a juicy filling of minced meat or vegetables, these steamed or fried dumplings are a must-try when visiting the state.

2. Thukpa

This hearty soup is made with noodles, vegetables, and meat or chicken broth. It’s perfect for a chilly evening and is a popular evening snack in the state.

3. Bamboo Shoot Curry

One of the signature dishes of Arunachal Pradesh is the bamboo shoot curry. This dish is made with tender bamboo shoots cooked in a spicy and flavorful curry, often with meat or fish.

🍛 Assam

Assam is known for its aromatic and flavorful cuisine, with a focus on fish and rice-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Masor Tenga

This sour fish curry is a staple in Assamese cuisine. Made with fish cooked in a tangy and spicy tomato-based curry, it’s often served with rice.

2. Khaar

This traditional Assamese dish is made with a mixture of vegetables and meat cooked in a broth made with khar, an alkaline ingredient made from the ashes of burnt banana skins or dried banana peels.

3. Pitha

This sweet or savory steamed or fried cake is made with rice flour and coconut. It’s often served as a snack or during festivals.

🍜 Manipur

Manipur is known for its diverse cuisine, with a mix of Southeast Asian and Indian influences. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Chak-hao Kheer

This dessert is made with black rice, milk, and sugar. It’s often served during festivals and celebrations.

2. Eromba

This spicy and tangy fish and vegetable stew is a popular dish in Manipur. It’s made with a variety of vegetables like yam, lotus stem, and bamboo shoots.

3. Chamthong

This hearty soup is made with meat or chicken and a mix of vegetables like beans, tomatoes, and onions. It’s flavored with aromatic herbs like coriander and ginger.

🍲 Meghalaya

Meghalaya is known for its simple yet flavorful cuisine, with a focus on rice-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Jadoh

This rice and meat or fish-based dish is a popular breakfast dish in Meghalaya. It’s often spiced with turmeric and ginger and flavored with onions and chilies.

2. Dohkhlieh

This salad-like dish is made with minced pork cooked in a mixture of lime juice and spices. It’s often served with rice.

3. Tungrymbai

This fermented soybean dish is a popular side dish in Meghalaya. It’s often paired with steamed rice and meat or fish-based curries.

🐟 Mizoram

Mizoram is known for its spicy and flavorful cuisine, with a focus on meat and fish-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Bai

This meat or fish-based stew is flavored with local herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, and turmeric. It’s often served with rice or steamed bread.

2. Vawksa Rep

This smoked pork dish is a popular delicacy in Mizoram. The pork is smoked over a wood fire and then cooked with herbs and spices.

3. Zu Tebel

This bamboo shoot-based dish is a popular side dish in Mizoram. The bamboo shoots are cooked with meat or fish and flavored with local herbs and spices.

🐔 Nagaland

Nagaland is known for its spicy and flavorful cuisine, with a focus on meat-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Axone

This fermented soybean dish is a popular side dish in Nagaland. It’s often paired with meat or fish-based curries and flavored with local herbs and spices.

2. Pork with Bamboo Shoots

This pork-based dish is flavored with tender bamboo shoots and local herbs and spices. It’s often served with rice or steamed bread.

3. Smoked Meat

This smoked meat dish is a popular delicacy in Nagaland. The meat is smoked over a wood fire and then cooked with herbs and spices.

🍛 Tripura

Tripura is known for its flavorful and aromatic cuisine, with a focus on fish and vegetable-based dishes. Some of the famous dishes include:

1. Mosdeng Serma

This spicy chutney is made with a mix of local herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. It’s often served with rice or steamed bread.

2. Bangui Rice

This rice-based dish is flavored with local herbs and spices and is often served with fish or meat-based curries.

3. Wahan Mosdeng

This salad-like dish is made with local vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and chilies. It’s often flavored with lime juice and served with rice or steamed bread.

🍴 What Are The Unique Characteristics Of North East Indian Cuisine?

North East Indian cuisine is known for its unique and distinct flavors, which are a result of the use of local herbs and spices. It’s also characterized by the use of fermented and smoked foods, which add depth and complexity to the dishes. The region’s focus on meat and fish-based dishes is also a distinguishing factor, with each state having its own unique preparations and cooking styles.

🤔 FAQs

1. What is the famous food in North East India?

North East India is known for its variety of flavorful, aromatic, and spicy delicacies, with each state having its own unique cuisine. Some of the famous dishes include momos, thukpa, bamboo shoot-based dishes, fish curries, and smoked pork, among others.

2. What are the unique characteristics of North East Indian cuisine?

North East Indian cuisine is characterized by the use of local herbs and spices, fermented and smoked foods, and a focus on meat and fish-based dishes. It’s also known for its distinct and unique flavors.

3. Which state in North East India is known for its bamboo shoot-based dishes?

Arunachal Pradesh is known for its bamboo shoot-based dishes, with the bamboo shoot curry being a signature dish.

4. Which state in North East India is known for its sour fish curry?

Assam is known for its sour fish curry, or masor tenga, which is flavored with tangy tomatoes and spicy chilies.

5. Which state in North East India is known for its smoked pork dishes?

Mizoram is known for its smoked pork dishes, which are prepared over a wood fire and then cooked with local herbs and spices.

6. Which state in North East India is known for its fermented soybean dishes?

Nagaland is known for its fermented soybean dishes, or axone, which are often served as a side dish with meat or fish-based curries.

7. Which state in North East India is known for its rice-based dishes?

Meghalaya is known for its rice-based dishes, with jadoh being a popular breakfast dish.

👍 In Conclusion

North East India is a