Breakfast in Manipur: Must-try traditional dishes
What's the story
Manipuri breakfasts are full of flavorful and nutritious options.
With its unique mix of spices and ingredients, these meals make for a great start to the day.
From rice-based dishes to fermented foods, these meals highlight the region's rich cultural heritage.
Here's a look at popular choices that embody Manipuri culinary traditions.
Sweet delight
Chak-hao amubi: Black rice pudding
Chak-hao amubi is a traditional black rice pudding, which is commonly eaten as a breakfast item in Manipur.
Prepared with black sticky rice, this pudding has a unique nutty flavor and is sweetened with jaggery or sugar.
The dish is usually cooked with coconut milk, which makes it richer.
Black rice is rich in antioxidants and has several health benefits, making this pudding tasty as well as healthy.
Savory treat
Tan ngang: Rice pancakes
Tan ngang are delicious rice pancakes that are a staple breakfast in Manipur.
They are prepared from fermented rice batter combined with herbs and spices, lending the pancakes an interesting flavor.
Usually, they are served with chutneys or spicy dips, making them even tastier.
The process of fermentation not only contributes to the flavor but also makes these pancakes lighter on the stomach.
Traditional mash
Eromba: Fermented vegetable mash
Eromba is a staple in Manipuri households, and makes an excellent breakfast option.
It is made of mashed vegetables, mixed with fermented fish sauce, or bamboo shoots for additional flavor.
The dish is seasoned with local herbs and chilies, giving it a spicy kick to awaken the senses in the morning.
Eromba's combination of flavors makes it an intriguing choice for the adventurous.
Fresh mix
Singju: Spicy vegetable salad
Singju is a popular salad-like dish prepared from finely chopped seasonal vegetables tossed with roasted sesame seeds or perilla seeds powder for the crunch and flavor.
This spicy salad consists of cabbage, lotus stem, banana flower or other locally available greens tossed together with chili paste dressing which imparts an invigorating zestiness ideal for kickstarting your day without weighing you down.