A Food Trail in Arunachal Pradesh: Local Dishes to Try

What better place to be than to enjoy the first rays of the sun, before any other place in India, while having some Khura pancakes along with butter tea? The state of Arunachal Pradesh or the ‘Land of the Dawn-lit-Mountains’, offers a variety of delicacies that one should make sure to try when you get there.

Here’s a list of a few popular dishes to try:

Bamboo Shoot Curry

With this curry, you can expect a burst of flavours of garam masala, cumin, mustard oil, among other ingredients. But what makes this unique is the Bamboo shoots that are added to the curry after the outer layers have been removed and then cut into thin slices tediously, so that with every bite, the textures and flavours blend well together.

Thukpa

Although it had its origins in Tibet, this noodle soup, that is made in preparation with a variety of vegetables and meat. It is a staple to states like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, as well as other north-eastern regions. In Arunachal Pradesh, you will find Thukpa to be typically prepared with buckwheat noodles along with yak meat or dry fish.

Chura Sabzi

Cheese is just one of those foods, that when it is combined with most other ingredients, you will be sure that the recipe will turn out amazing, including vegetables. This dish is considered to represent prosperity and it is made of flattened rice, fermented cheese, and vegetables like beans, peas, and so on. It is generally paired with a bowl of rice.

Pika Pila

Are you a fan of pickles? Then this pickle side dish is perfect to pair with rice or any other main meal of your preference. It is made of pork fat, King chilly and bamboo shoot. This pickle dish is said to have been originally created by the Aptani indigenous tribe. It is generally considered to be moderately spicy, and the bitter taste of the bamboo shoot is reduced as it is thoroughly washed during the preparation time.

Momos

Sometimes, when you visit a new place, you can’t help but stick to the classic. Momos are perfect and there are plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, no matter where you go in Arunachal Pradesh.

Pehak

If pickles are not your thing, but you would like to try out other spicy complementary dishes, then Pehak is another tasty option. It is made of soya beans that have been fermented, and to get the spice, King chillis are also added. It is a spicy chutney, one that is perfect with rice or roti.

Lutker

If you plan to visit Arunachal Pradesh, such as Tawang, Ziro Valley or Bomdila, during the winter months, then you can be sure to get your warmth from this side serving, along with your favourite meals. The dried chillies are ground into flakes and the slices of meat are roasted to crispy perfection.

Hakhazi

This is a traditional rice dish of the Sherdukpen community. This dish includes dried fruits such as Amsing and Kakum, along with green, leafy vegetables. It is paired up with a chutney known as Chamin. This is a special delicacy that is prepared during festivals.

Wheat-Based Noodles

This is a type of noodle special that is made from a type of wheat called gyarb by the Memba indigenous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This dish is especially prepared by a traditional wooden tool called as Puda Chirshing.

Wrapping up

Local cuisine is one of the most important aspects of any travel journey. Whether you want to try traditional dishes or the classic momos, you can check out these travel itineraries to begin your culinary expedition here.