Top 5 Assamese dishes you need to try
What's the story
Assam is well-known for its delicious food that is infused with unique flavors and made with fresh produce.
Assamese cuisine is subtle and non-spicy in taste with bamboo shoots and mustard oil being the common ingredients in most of the dishes.
The dishes here are made using local aromatic herbs, natural spices, and fresh vegetables that have numerous health benefits.
#1
Aloo pitika
Aloo pitika is a simple yet flavorful dish that is made with boiled mashed potatoes but with an Assamese touch.
The dish is easy to make and is the comfort food of Assamese people.
The potatoes are mashed and cooked in mustard oil with onions, green chili, coriander, and salt for added flavor.
You can have it with rice or as a side dish.
#2
Doi chira
Assamese food is incomplete without the traditional recipe of doi chira which is basically flattened rice mixed with curd, jaggery, and cream.
This dish is usually had by locals for breakfast as it soothes the stomach and keeps it cool during the summer season.
Doi chira is a must during the Bihu festival and is served in traditional bell metal utensils called Baan Bati.
#3
Masor tenga
In Assamese, tenga refers to something sour in taste. The masor tenga is a rich and tangy fish curry that is prepared with fish, tomato, lemon, dried mangosteen, elephant apple, and raw mango in a slow-cooking process.
The dish is slightly spicy in taste and goes best with rice.
It is best enjoyed during the summers and boosts digestion following a heavy meal.
#4
Khar
When talking about Assamese food, how can we miss khar--the name of an ingredient and dish.
Khar is extracted from water and dried banana peel and is used in combination with several other ingredients to prepare other dishes, which automatically carry the name khar in them.
Banana stem, raw papaya, chicken, several green leafy vegetables, pulses, etc. are used with khar.
#5
Pitha
Pitha is a delicious dessert prepared in Assamese style. You can have it for evening snack or even for breakfast.
Pithas are available in sweet, savory, steamed, or fried forms that are cooked in different styles. You can try Narikol pitha which is fried and stuffed with grated coconut.
Prepared mostly during Bihu, these delicious treats are a crucial part of the Assamese culture.