7 iconic dishes you must try while traveling to these Indian states

Good food is a must whether you stay home or travel. Time and again, food has proved to bring people together and create a bonding between families or strangers.

And a country like India with its diverse cultures and traditions, there are also varieties of unique and special cuisines from different parts of India.

The complex mix of local, regional and traditional food is thus deeply evident with the diversity. Indians no doubt take pride in occasioning a wide array of flavours and textures that are consumed organically, seasonally and locally. Food in India is an identity of one’s own lifestyle.

To have a never regretting food tourism, we’ve scoured 7 iconic dishes from different parts of India.

  • Singju, Manipur: Originated from the meitei culture, singju is a spicy salad made of different green vegetables. It is a speciality of Manipuri cuisine which is often eaten as snacks or a side dishes. A must-try delicacy for those who love hot and spicy food. Ingredients: Cabbage/unripe papaya, thoiding (ground perilla seeds), dried yellow pea(grounded), king chilli, ngari (roasted fermented fish-optional), toningkok  (chameleon roots/leaves), salt to taste.
  • Axone smoked pork, Nagaland: Known for its strong aroma and taste, dried smoked pork with axone(fermented soya bean) represents the Naga cuisine that has appealed to the taste buds across the nation. This traditional pork curry will definitely leave you wanting more. It is often served with hot rice. Ingredients: Smoked pork, Akhuni/Axone, garlic, naga ginger, local red chilli powder, salt, black sesame seeds(optional).
  • Chole Bhature, Punjab: Chole meaning spiced tangy chickpea curry and Bhature, a soft and fluffy fried leavened bread is one of the most savored Punjabi dish all over India. The flavors and taste vary according to different eateries. Traveling to India and not gourmandizing this taste would be a vain. Ingredients: For Bhature – Maida(All purpose flour), Sooji(sava or fine semolina), oil/ghee, granulated fine sugar, baking soda, curd/yogurt, salt, water. For Chole: Chickpeas, cardamon, black peppercorn, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic paste, chole masala, cumin powder, paprika powder, red chilli powder, dried fenugreek leaves, garam masala, coriander leaves, salt, water.
  • Jadoh, Meghalaya: Jadoh is a Khasi street food item that is one of the most popular among locals. This fried rice and pork meat concoction are not to be missed when visiting Shillong. Like Biryani is for North Indian, Jadoh is for Khasi. The dish is sometimes prepared with fish or chicken. Ingredients: Hill/Joha rice or any short grained rice, pork, onion, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, veg oil, bay leaves, salt, fresh cilantro.
  • Mizo Vawksa, Mizoram: It is one of the popular dishes in Mizoram made of smoked pork stir fried with oyster mushrooms and baby spinach. The cuisine is prepared with local fresh greens and is an ultimate mouth-watering score. Ingredients: Vawksa(smoked pork), baby spinach leaves, oyster mushroom, green chilly, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, water(if needed).
  • Tandoori Chicken, Punjab: A lip smacking dish prepared by roasting chicken marinated in yogurt and aromatic spices in a cylindrical clay oven or known as tandoor. This delicious grilled chicken has won the hearts of many across the globe with its seductive flavors of spices and smoky tang. Ingredients : Chicken, Curd/yogurt, honey, tandoori masala, vegetable oil, grounded coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, sweet paprika, lemon juice, fenugreek leaves, ginger, onion, cayenne pepper/chilli powder, plain yogurt/buttermilk, garlic, salt, food coloring (optional).
  • Dosa, South India: Dosa is gradually making a landmark in the palate of people all over the world. A dosa is a thin pancake or crepe mainly prepared from rice and black gram. There are many different flavors of Dosa and is famous for its simple ingredients. It is accompanied with sambar and chutney and can be eaten as breakfast, snacks or anytime you feel like it. Ingredients : Rice, whole urad dal(without skin)/split urad dal(black lentils), methi dana (fenugreek seeds), Chana dal/gram lentils(optional), oil, salt, water.

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food. ” – George Bernard Shaw

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