As they say, never judge a book by its cover. The same applies to Himachal Pradesh. Although this North Indian state is famous for its breathtaking views, these snow-capped mountains offer some scrumptious dishes as well that you should not miss out on. Below is a list of mouthwatering delicacies that you need to explore in Himachal Pradesh, as soon as possible.
Best Dishes Of Himachal Pradesh
- Madra
- Dham
- Siddu
- Babru
- Tudkiya Bhath
- Aktori
- Mittha
1. Madra
Madra is a legume and curd-based curry that was born in a small district of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba. Prepared by using simple ingredients like spices and vegetables, you will find Madra in every restaurant here. This yummy dish is served for just about every occasion or festival celebrated in the state.
This delicacy is made by combining ingredients such as chickpeas, rajma soaked in water, or vegetables that can be cooked in a variety of spices such as cardamom, cumin, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and so on. The spices help enhance the taste by adding rich flavors to the curry. As the dish is very famous in Himachal, you won’t have a difficult time finding it in any of the local restaurants or food stalls.
2. Dham
Dham, a traditional vegetarian meal from Himachal Pradesh, is super filling and healthy with a variety of dishes. Be it a festival, wedding, or any religious occasion, Dham is a mandatory dish served. Ingredients like yogurt, spices, kidney beans, dal, rice, and pulses are used to make this delicious dish. Dham is typically served in a thali or on plates made of leaves. It’s cooked on a low flame in mustard oil with spices and a generous amount of yogurt and it bursts with flavors, giving your tastebuds that much-needed kick!
Dham is considered to be full of nutrients, thus falling into the healthy category. Rice, rajma, dal, boor ki kadi, curd, salad, and some jaggery make it a complete meal. Specially prepared by a particular caste of Brahmins known as “Botis”, Dham is one such dish that must be savored when you are in Himachal Pradesh.
3. Siddu
Siddu is another delectable Himachal dish that like other pahadi foods, stands out from the crowd. This mountainside dish is made with either mutton or vegetables as the stuffing and a shell of a wheat flour bun. Cooked on a slow fire, the whole cooking process takes about 4 to 5 hours, as most time is taken for the flour to rise with the addition of yeast and fat.
The dough is then placed on the direct flame until it’s half-cooked. Then the half-cooked dough is steamed to preserve the flavors and nutrients. Every minute is worth the process. The great part of slow cooking is that the flavors settle in and the Siddu tastes heavenly in the end. It is a must-try snack with delectable sweet and savory fillings topped with poppy seeds, almonds, and walnuts.
4. Babru
Babru is a unique version of kachori and one of the most famous dishes of Himachal Pradesh. Made with ingredients like black gram and wheat flour, the Babru is a flattened bread or a puri loaded with stuffings of black gram paste and sweet tamarind chutney. Babru is one such dish that is an absolute party in your mouth!
Shimla’s cold and crisp weather gives you a chance to make the most of it by savoring a plate of Babru with a cup of piping hot tea. These kachoris are available in all the local restaurants and streetside food stalls in Shimla. So, whenever you’re in Himachal, don’t miss out on the chance to try out this yummy, savory dish.
5. Tudkiya Bhath
Tudkiya Bhath is not your regular vegetarian pulao. This traditional dish of Himachal Pradesh is irresistible and full of flavors. It is an authentic dish that goes well with a dal curry with a dash of lime juice. Made with ingredients like rice, masoor dal, onions, lots of ghee, potatoes, lentils, tomatoes, garlic, and spices like cinnamon and cardamom, the Tudkiya Bhath has a generous amount of flavor to it.
Slowly cooked over fire, the dish soaks up the flavor of every ingredient, preserving them for a wholesome taste. It is a perfect replacement for a plain pulao. If you happen to plan your next trip to Himachal, make sure not to miss out on trying this magical dish.
6. Aktori
Another interesting dish to try is Aktori, a popular and traditional pahadi dish. Usually, the look of aktori is similar to that of a pancake and is made with ingredients like buckwheat leaves cooked in wheat flour with sugar, water, baking soda, and milk.
It is a simple yet delicious dish that should be enjoyed if you’re in Himachal. This sweet cake is different to other regional cakes, fried on the pan to get a perfect texture and color. While relishing this sweet, make sure to drizzle it with some pure ghee or honey and the entire dish will be enhanced. Most of the time, you will see this sweet is prepared for festivals and big occasions. As the cooking process is quick, you can try making aktori at home.
7. Mittha
Himachal Pradesh has tons of traditions and is a beautiful mix of cultures, and so are its dishes. One of the most loved dishes is Mittha, which is the perfect delicacy for all the sweet lovers out there. Mittha, also known as ‘meetha chawal’, is a dish made from rice and loaded with dried fruits and strands of saffron for its beautiful color, rounded flavor, crunchy texture, and of course, sweet taste.
A perfect dish to complete your meal, this sweet rice needs to be tried. This traditional dish is made especially for occasions and festivals and you might find it in every nook and cranny of the state. Indeed, a slice of paradise for sweet lovers, mitta is the dish to add to your list of mouth-watering foods to try in the mountains.
Summing Up
Himachal Pradesh is quite a popular state for its splendid natural beauty and is known as a paradise for adventure enthusiasts for paragliding and trekking. But that’s not all that Himachal is famous for. The food of the mountains is another thing that intrigues tourists and brings them flocking here. If you’re planning a trip here, then make sure to explore these mouth-watering dishes of Himachal Pradesh.
FAQs
What Is The Language Of Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh’s pahadis use Hindi as their primary language of communication.
What Is The Famous Dish Of The Pradesh?
Dham is the most popular dish in Himachal Pradesh.
What Is Himachal Known For?
Himachal Pradesh is best known for its scenic natural beauty and as an adventurer’s paradise.
What Is The Sweet Dish Of Himachal Pradesh?
The traditional sweet of Himachal Pradesh is Meetha Chawal.
What Is The Main Food Crop Of Himachal Pradesh?
Wheat, maize, and rice are the main food crops of Himachal Pradesh.
What Is The Food Culture Of Himachal Pradesh?
The food culture mainly includes wheat bread and red meat. As a result, gravies are typically thick in consistency, with aromatic spices and a rich texture and flavor.
What Is Himachal Old Name?
Himachal Pradesh was previously known as Trigarta.
Which Fruit Is Famous In Himachal Pradesh?
Apple is the most popular fruit in Himachal Pradesh.
