Visiting Sikkim? 5 popular local foods you should try
Sikkim is known for its delicious local food that is packed with authentic and unique flavors. The food items in this amazing northeastern state have influences of the local Sikkimese cuisine, as well as Tibetan and Nepalese cuisines. Interestingly maize and rice are the main ingredients in most of the Sikkimese foods. If you plan on visiting Sikkim, try these five flavorful dishes.
Dal bhaat
Dal bhaat, also known as dal chawal, is the ultimate comfort food of Sikkim that is consumed almost every day by local households. It is simple, light, and easy to make. It is basically a light and flavorful lentil soup infused with lots of vegetables and served with some hot steamed rice. The dish is accompanied by a sabzi (curry) or fried vegetables.
Thukpa
Thukpa is a spicy and flavorful noodle soup that is one of the most loved dishes in Sikkim. The Tibetan-origin dish is delicious, highly nutritious, and wholesome as well. The soup is infused with fresh, locally grown vegetables like celery, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, and bell peppers. You can get thukpas in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions served with some hot and spicy chutney.
Sel roti
Sel roti is a ring-shaped fried bread that is prepared with rice flour and infused with the subtle flavors of cardamom. The steps involve mixing the rice with water, sugar, milk, and cardamom to form a thick paste. The mixture is shaped in the form of rings and deep-fried in hot oil. You can enjoy these sweet sel rotis with some yummy potato curry.
Sinki
Sinki is a traditional dish of Sikkim that is made with radish taproots. These radish roots are sliced and placed into a container full of bamboo and then pressed over with straw. It is then covered with mud and plants to ferment for about a month. This keeps the sinki fresh for almost a year and can be used in soups and stews.
Momo
A trip to Sikkim is incomplete without some traditional hot and juicy momo or dumplings. It's a Tibetan delicacy with influences of Nepalese cuisine. Momo is a popular snack that you can find on every street corner of Sikkim. It is a steamed flour bun with different fillings inside, like cheese, vegetables, and paneer. It is best enjoyed with some hot sauce or chutney.
