The famous traditional food of Sikkim
Sikkim is one glistening destination for so many travelers wanting peace and excitement. Further, the place is known not just for its unenduring beauty but also for the delicacies. The culinary delights are beyond words providing scrumptious dishes to all the travelers coming here for vacations. Try cuisine in Sikkim and understand its culinary better. Likewise, the dishes are made using locally made ingredients with various flavors coming from the dishes. The cuisine is influenced by the neighboring countries of Nepal and Tibet. Since Tibetan and Nepalese people live in abundance, most of the State’s people are rice eaters. Starting from soups, salads to vegetables, you will find everything with a beautiful mix of Sikkimese flavors.
Best traditional foods of Sikkim
Dhindo
It is one of the favorite dishes for travelers and localities living in Sikkim. Likewise, the preparation includes flour mix given to water, after which you have to stir it continuously with a ladle. The addition of butter is optional in the dish. You can use any grain to be grinded into flour. The utensil used in the preparation of the dish is an iron pan called Palame Tapke. Further, there is an iron spatula called Dabilo. The spatula helps in mixing the ingredients to create a tasty dish loved by the Sikkimese population.
Thukpa
Another delicacy delight in Sikkim is Thukpa being a flavorful noodle prepared in the eastern part of Tibet. Secondly, every restaurant all over the world is serving Thukpa changing the tastes with each State. The noodle soup is prepared with garlic, chopped onions, green chilies to add in the zing to the dish. Their vegetarian version has shredded and chopped vegetables in the noodle. While the non-vegetarian version has red meat or boiled poach. Savor the dish while you are in Sikkim.
Sha Phaley
Sha Phaley is a combination of deep-fried bread with the whole minced meat stuffed inside the bread. Moreover, the bread or pastry is stuffed with spices, ground beef, and various local spices. Then the bread is folded into semi-circles to be fried to perfection. The deep-frying makes it super crispy from the outside, having a flavorful filling inside. There are modern variations to the dish like cheese and Tofu added to the recipes. Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians love enjoying various versions of the dish.
Momos
Momos are the ultimate favorites for Sikkim’s people and have transferred the delicacy to different parts of neighboring countries. Momo is a roadside snack but found in almost every restaurant today. Further, it is a dumpling made of flour dough having a filling inside. Momos are served fried or steamed. The steamed momos are served with vegetables and spices. The fillings are usually chicken, vegetables, meat, cheese, etc. The utensils used in making momos are three-layered with tomato soup in the lower compartment. It lets the flavors absorb in the juices of the soup. When you are in Sikkim, you cannot miss out on these outstanding delicacies.
Phagshapa
A dish, especially for the non-vegetarians in Sikkim, is pork fat served with radishes and chilies. The pork strips are first cooked and kept separately. While preparing the chilies and radishes in the stew, add the pork to provide a tangy flavor to the dish. Making the dish requires no oil and made just with vegetables and protein making it a healthy choice. Since it is one of the healthy options, it is considered to be popular in Sikkim.
Dal Bhaat
Dal Bhaat is the traditional dish of Sikkim found in parts of Bangladesh and India. Likewise, it is a combination of rice and lentil soup. The Sikkimese people love having rice and dal every day. The Dal can be made in various flavors differentiating from place to place. It has certain ingredients and spices like salt and turmeric. You can literally put anything you want to make the Dal delicious. The mixture of boiled rice and lentil soup is a comfort meal prepared in every house. If you are planning to keep things simple, have light meals. You can even end the dish by having a dessert of some sort.
Sael Roti
Sael Roti is fried bread served with fantastic potato curry. Besides, to make the rotis, water, and rice is mixed together to form a paste. It is fried to get the deep brown color in hot oil. It is a famous food in Sikkim but also includes to be exceptional in Tibet and Nepal. Satiate your taste buds with these deep-fried bread when you are holidaying in Sikkim.
Gundruk and Sinki
These dishes are of Nepalese origin, made combining radishes and cauliflowers. Furthermore, the mixture is then cooked in tomato sauce and a bit of spice. To make Sinki, taproots are used in abundance. The taproots have to be kept to ferment, giving it a sour taste. Mustard oil and seeds are added to the dish to give a pleasant taste. Secondly, the dish is prepared fully in earthen pots. With modern utensils coming up, the Earthen pots are losing their value to some extent. The dishes are perfect both in taste and for your health.
Chang
Chang is prepared by fermenting Millets with yeast used in the fermentation process. Besides, it is also called Thomba and also perceived by the people of Nepal. It is an alcoholic beverage served with a snippet and pipe in the bamboo pie. Many parts of Sikkim have distilleries where this drink is prepared. Chang is very cheap in Sikkim, and you can also bring it home. Do sip this fantastic drink when you are taking a trip to Sikkim.
Sikkim Tea
Everyone loves tea and will surely want to taste Sikkim tea when they are in Sikkim itself. The tea is prepared from a tea garden called Temi tea garden. The tea is rich in flavors and so exotic in taste. You will not have tasted this kind of tea anywhere. It is served in unique Sikkim traditional cups, enhancing the flavors to a different level.
Conclusion
Though Sikkim’s flavors are found in Nepal and Tibet, the local essence adds uniqueness to the dishes. Go on a gastronomical journey when in Sikkim, and you will love every dish you will taste here.
