Sitting quite in the lap of the tall, majestic Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is not just a treat for the eyes but also a paradise for food lovers. If you’re someone who loves exploring new cuisines, then Himachal Pradesh should be on your travel bucket list. The state’s cuisine, known as Himachali or pahadi cuisine, is a delightful mix of Punjabi and Tibetan influences, offering a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that are sure to tickle your taste buds. There are 15 famous dishes of Himachal Pradesh.
1. Dhaam – A Complete Meal for Every Occasion
Dhaam is a delectable flavor and nutrient-packed meal, that includes a spicy curry of red kidney beans, fried dal, aromatic rice, boor ki kadi, curd, sweets, salad, and jaggery. It’s a meal that is usually prepared and savored by locals during festivals, marriages, and other special occasions. So, when you’re in Himachal Pradesh, if you get a chance, make sure to not miss out on this scrumptious meal.
2. Madra – A Taste of Chamba’s Rich Food Culture
Madra or chana madra is a special dish that brings you the unique food culture of the Chamba district. It is made with soaked chickpeas or vegetables and a whole bunch of spices, including cumin, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, and tastes so amazing that you won’t be able to resist it next. It’s no wonder that madra is a popular choice among locals and is often cooked during festivals and special occasions.
3. Babru – A Unique Twist to the Traditional Kachori
Babru may look like your regular kachori, but it’s prepared differently and has a flavor that is sure to surprise you. This flattened bread or puri is made of wheat flour and has a flavorful stuffing of black gram paste. Served with sweet tamarind chutney, babru is a popular choice among locals and is best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea, especially during the winter months.
4. Kullu Trout Fish – A Delight for Seafood Lovers
If you’re a seafood lover, then Kullu trout fish is a must-try dish in Himachal Pradesh. Marinated and pan-fried in mustard oil, the fish is topped with a light lemon-onion sauce, retaining its natural taste and nutrients. It is served with boiled vegetables and rice and is a wholesome and delicious option for both lunch or dinner.
5. Siddu – A Local Bun with a Special Filling
Siddu is a local bun with a special filling that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. It is prepared with a dough of wheat flour, salt, sugar ghee, and yeast, and filled with a filling of grounded walnuts, almonds, and poppy seeds before cooking. Siddu is cooked in a unique way – they’re first put on direct flame until half cooked and then steamed for around 10-15 minutes. This method of cooking helps preserve its taste and keep all the nutrients intact. You can enjoy it with other Himachali main course dishes like vegetables or mutton.
6. Aktori – A Special Cake from Spiti Valley
Aktori is a special cake or pancake made with buckwheat leaves, which are quite popular in the beautiful Spiti Valley. Cooked in wheat flour with milk, water, sugar, and baking soda, aktori is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Whenever you get to try it, make sure to top it with ghee or honey for an extra touch of flavorfulness.
7. Bhey – A Popular Dish Made with Lotus Stems
Bhey is a popular Himachali dish made with thinly sliced lotus stems, cooked in a flavorful mix of ginger, garlic, onion, gram flour, and spices. It is best enjoyed with chapatis, parathas, or rice. And it is so delightful in taste that it will leave you craving for more and more.
8. Chha Gosht – A Flavorful Lamb Dish
If you are a hardcore non-vegetarian, then you must try Chha gosht at least once and you will keep coming for more. It is a delectable dish made with marinated lamb cooked in a rich gravy prepared using yogurt, gram flour, and spices. Served with hot chapatis, naan, or rice, chha gosht is a favorite among meat lovers in Himachal Pradesh.
9. Kaale Channe Ka Khatta – A Spicy and Sour Delicacy
Made with boiled black chickpeas, kaale channe ka khatta is a spicy and sour delicacy native to the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh. It’s prepared using a whole variety of spices and other ingredients including wheat flour, fennel seeds, mint powder, tamarind powder, green chilies, coriander powder, asafoetida, and salt. Kaale Channe ka Khatta is usually served as a side dish with Madra, however, it makes for a flavorful addition to any meal.
10. Tibetan Thukpa – A Noodle Soup with a Tibetan Twist
With a strong Tibetan influence in the region, Himachal Pradesh offers a range of Tibetan dishes, including the popular Tibetan thukpa. This noodle soup can be prepared with or without meat. The vegetarian variant includes a whole lot of veggies like carrots, cabbage, capsicum, tomatoes, and onions along with boiled soupy noodles. While the non-vegetarian variant is prepared using all the vegetables along with meat, ginger-garlic paste, chilies, and sauces. If you are a noodles lover, you must give this dish a try.
11. Tudkiya Bhath – A Wholesome Rice Dish
Tudkiya bhath is a wholesome rice dish made with a variety of ingredients including ghee, lentils, yoghurt, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. It’s a popular local dish of Chamba and is best enjoyed with mashed dal and a squish of lime juice.
12. Chicken Anardana – A Flavorful Chicken Dish
Chicken Anardana is a popular non-vegetarian dish made by first marinating chicken in a mix of yogurt, spices, ginger-garlic paste, and dried pomegranate seeds powder. It is then cooked in a rich gravy of onions, garlic, cardamom, garam masala cinnamon, and pomegranate. Chicken Anardana can be best enjoyed with hot chapatis, naan, or rice.
13. Aloo Palda – A Delicious Potato Dish
Aloo Palda is a delicious dish made with soft-boiled potatoes cooked in a thick gravy of yogurt or buttermilk, flavored with ginger-garlic paste and spices. It’s best enjoyed with makki ki roti and rice, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
14. Auriya Kaddu – A Simple Pumpkin Curry
Auriya Kaddu is a simple pumpkin curry made with asafoetida, bay leaves, panch phoran (five types of spices), turmeric powder, dry mango powder, and green chilies. All the ingredients along with the spices are well cooked in mustard oil to bring out the best of flavors. It’s a flavorful dish that is best enjoyed by mashing the pumpkin pieces lightly while eating.
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15. Mittha – A Sweet Treat to End Your Meal
Mittha is a popular sweet dish made with sweetened rice, saffron, raisins, and dry fruits. It’s commonly enjoyed during special occasions and ceremonies and is a perfect way to end your meal on a sweet note.
Takeaway
Himachal Pradesh’s cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, Himachal Pradesh’s culinary delights are sure to leave you craving for more. So, the next time you visit this wonderful region, make sure to treat your taste buds to the authentic flavors of Himachali cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :
Q. What is the famous sweet dish in Himachal Pradesh
A. Meetha Chawal or Meetha is the famous sweet dish in Himachal Pradesh. It is made using sweetened rice, dry fruits, and kesar.
Q. What is the most popular dish in Himachal Pradesh?
A. Aktori is one of the most popular dishes in Himachal Pradesh. It is prepared in the shape of a cake using buckwheat leaves and wheat flour.
Q. What is the traditional food of Himachal Pradesh?
A. Dham – a complete midday meal, is the traditional food of Himachal Pradesh that is usually prepared on special occasions like marriage, birthday & retirement parties, or any religious ceremony.
Q. What are some famous beverages of Himachal Pradesh?
A. Angoori, chakti, behmi, sura, lugri and arak are some famous beverages of Himachal Pradesh.
