Himachal Pradesh Famous Local Food & Cuisine
Himachal Pradesh can be best described by its snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, and the tranquility in the environment. But, Himachal Pradesh has more to it that can surprise all the travelers.
The authentic foods of Himachal Pradesh are simply worth tasting and so delicious. From the street vendors to the unique cafes present in every nook and corner of Himachal Pradesh, you are sure to find some of the best foods that you have ever tasted.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Best Himachali Foods & Dishes
On your next trip to Himachal Pradesh, try out some of their lip-smacking dishes which are listed as under:
Dhaam
Dhaam is a complete food that provides all nourishment required in the body. It includes dal, rajma, curd, boor kiKadi, rice, and gur is complimentary with every Dhaam. Dhaam is a full plate delicacy that is mouth-watering and delicious and served on every occasion in Himachal Pradesh. It is prepared by certain special chefs known as “Botis”. Dhaam is prepared during festivals so visit Himachal during festivities to get a taste of Dhaam. Manali and Chamba are the major places where you can find Dhaam.
Madra
Madra belongs to the Chamba district of Himachal. This dish is prepared with soaked chickpeas and vegetables. It is cooked well in oil with the infusion of various spices such as cardamom, turmeric powder, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, coriander powder, etc. These spices used to enhance the flavors of Madra. Madra is one of the special and best dishes in Himachal Pradesh. It is found in every restaurant and cooked in all festivals of Himachal. Madra mostly belongs to Chamba and Kangra.
ChhaGosht
If you are a pure non-vegetarian, then nothing can serve you better than ChhaGosht which is a marinated lamb cooked in the gravy of gram flour and spices. It is a rich gravy dish where the flavors are enhanced with the use of Indian spices such as cardamom, red chili powder, coriander powder, bay leaves, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, etc. This dish is spicy and is a delicious one. ChhaGosht is prepared in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
Kullu Trout Fish
Himachal Pradesh is known for its wide varieties of non-vegetarian dishes. Kullu Trout Fish is one of the best dishes of Himachal prepared with the trout fish found in the Kullu region of Himachal. Keeping the original taste of trout alive, the marinated fish is cooked with the use of very minimal spices. The nutrients are kept just the same way in the trout fish. The dish is served with sautéed vegetables making it one of the healthiest dishes in Himachal Pradesh.
Siddu
Siddu is one of the local dishes of Himachal which complements other mutton or chicken dishes and prepared from wheat flour. The preparation of Siddu takes a lot of time but the taste makes everything worth it. The wheat flour takes about 4-5 hours to settle after the yeast is put. In the later part, the dough is filled with fat and put on the direct flame to get it half cooked. The partly cooked dough is then steamed so that the nutrients remain intact. It is easily found in any Himachali restaurants to keep the flame of Himachali cuisine alive.
Spicy Lotus Stems
Spicy Lotus stems are one of the popular dishes which is made in every household of Himachal. Bhey is a tasty dish that is prepared with the lotus stems. The thinly sliced lotus stems are cooked with ginger garlic paste, onions, and gram flour which adds a unique taste to the dish. It is found all over Himachal.
Tibetan Dishes
The food talk of Himachal is not complete without the Tibetan dishes. Himachal Pradesh has an important Tibetan colony and the dishes are highly inspired by the Tibetan culture. Momos are an all-time favorite snack for the Himachalis. Apart from momos, they also have a fetish for Thukpa, Tingmo, Thentuk, LuchiPoti, Naizha Cake and so many others. Most of the Tibetan dishes are continental and are healthy in one way.
Babru
Himachal Pradesh has given a unique taste to the Kachoris being made. Babru is a flatbread that is prepared with the stuffing of black gram paste and added to the dough. They are deep-fried and are quite crisp in taste. Babru is served with tamarind chutney and the all famous green chutney. Babru is mostly found in Shimla.
These are some of the best dishes in Himachal Pradesh. The food culture of Himachal represents a lot and brings people together.
