One of the most amazing parts of traveling to Ladakh is that foodies can try out the local food and enjoy the taste of some of the best recipes. Ladakhi cuisine is known all over the country for being unique from Indian cuisine. Since Ladakh is rich in culture and history, make sure to include the must try dishes of Ladakh to be a part of Ladakhi culture.
To ensure that you enjoy the delicious food in the region, we have mentioned the top must try dishes of Ladakh which you must not be left without tasting.
8 Ladakh Food Items That You Must Try
1. Thukpa
Thukpa is one of the most preferred and much-loved classics of Ladakhi cuisine. It is a soup made using a lot of vegetables and noodles (made of wheat/ barley flour). The non-vegetarian version of this dish contains meat like pieces of chicken, mutton, or yak. People of Ladakh enjoy Thukpa with spicy “chutney” to further enjoy the taste. One can enjoy different versions of this noodle soup and all kinds of savory ingredients as per their taste.
Apart from being the most popular consumed food in Ladakh, Thupka is also very popular in other regions of the Himalayas as well. One can easily enjoy a hot soup of Thumpa at local restaurants in Leh.
2. Momos
We all know about momos; dumplings which were originated in Tibet. Momos are mostly stuffed with minced meat, vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, etc., and cheese. One can enjoy momos either in steamed or fried form and they are served with chili sauce and soup as an accompaniment. Many restaurants in Leh Ladakh have introduced chocolate momos as desserts, which are worth a try!
Momos are cooked in a traditional steamer – Mokto and are mostly shaped like a lotus flower or like a crescent. Momos are not just the must try local dishes of Ladakh but they are popular all over the country.
3. Skyu
Skyu is another traditional soup-based Ladakhi dish. Skyu is a stew made using barley or wheat dough which is kneaded into small flattened balls. The soup is slowly cooked in a pot with water, meat, and root vegetables like potatoes, turnips, and carrots. The dish is mostly prepared in villages and its way of making remained unchanged for centuries. This soup is rich in calories and contains energy in the form of carbohydrates, it is among the must try dishes of Ladakh and is liked by people, especially during the cold winter months.
Sometimes milk is also added as a main ingredient in skyu and the dish is called oma (milk) skyu. One must try this dish while in Ladakh.
4. Chhutagi
Chhutagi is one of the unique Ladakhi delicacies rich in nutrition. The flattened dough is mostly cut into circular shapes and then the shape of a bow tie is given to them. Then the dough is cooked in a thick soup made of vegetables or meat. Since Chhutagi is a heavy meal so people prefer it during harvest season as it gives them energy.
Chutagi is a delicacy that consists of bow-tie-shaped pieces of dough cooked with soup made of ingredients like potatoes, peas, carrots, and locally grown vegetables. A non-veg version of this dish with meat is also very common. A delicious Ladakhi culinary specialty that is very nutritious too!
Many local restaurants in the region have also come up with different versions of chhutagi, which are liked by tourists as well. Chhutagi is one of the culinary specialties of Ladakh which must be tasted.
5. Tingmo
Tingmo or Timok in Ladakhi is a steamed Tibetan bread that is often enjoyed with dal. The dish is cooked with vegetables while the non-veg version is served with meat. It is a staple food for the people of Ladakh and is best when served hot and goes very well with stews. Tingmo is quite similar to the Chinese “Hua Juan” commonly known as Flower Bun or Mandarin Rolls. This dish is served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
6. Chhurpi
Chhurpi in Ladakhi is made from the milk of the domesticated yak named dzomo. Chhurpi is white in color and its taste is quite similar to Italian ricotta. There are two kinds of Chhurpi including soft and hard.
Due to a scarcity of vegetables and fruits in Ladakh, this traditional cheese is mostly consumed by the people of Ladakh. It is the main ingredient of the local people’s diet as it is a main source of vitamins and proteins. Chhurpi is served with all types of food in Ladakh like thukpa and it is used as a filling for momos, thereby making it Must Try Dishes of Ladakh.
7. Butter tea
Butter tea is a traditional beverage served in the Himalayan regions. In Ladakh, butter tea is also named “gur-gur chai”. The USP of this tea is that yak butter and salt are added to the boiling water along with tea leaves. This drink can be enjoyed the most during the cold weather and while being in high-altitude areas. The inclusion of butter in the making of this tea also keeps the lips moisturized.
People of Ladakh drink salted butter tea every day and this traditional beverage is also served during weddings and other special occasions. As part of the Ladakhi hospitality culture, the host keeps refilling the guest’s cup to the top after a few sips are drunk to fil it.
8. Apricot Jam
Apricot which is also known as chulli in the Ladakhi language is a locally-grown fruit in the region of Ladakh. There are many beautiful apricot orchards located in different parts of Ladakh, especially in lower altitude areas like Sham, Nubra Valley, and Dha-Hanu Valley. Several products are made from this fruit out of which Apricot jam is the most famous product. Apricots are also used in the manufacturing of syrup and the seeds are further used to make kernel oil. Dried apricots are liked by Ladakhi people.
Conclusion
The best part of traveling in Ladakh is that you get a chance to savor different kinds of dishes and cuisines prepared by the locals. Tibetan influence on Ladakhi cuisine is clearly seen in dishes like thukpa and momos. Despite being less spicy as compared to Indian cuisine, Ladakhi cuisine is simple but healthy. so make sure to include these must try dishes of Ladakh on your Leh Ladakh trip.
FAQs About Dishes of Ladakh
What is Tapu dish in Ladakh?
Tapu is quite common in those areas where apricots are grown in huge qualities. To make this dish, dried flour is boiled in water and blended with finely ground apricot seeds, which gives it a great smooth texture. Apart from being highly delicious and nutritious, this dish is also part of a well-rounded diet.
Name the famous sweet dish in Ladakh.
Phirni is the most famous dish in Ladakh. The dish is served in kulhaad, a pot made of mud to make it enhance its taste. Phirni is a rice pudding of Iranian origin and consists of boiled rice, vermicelli, milk, and sugar.
Name the most famous food of Ladakh.
The most famous food of Ladakh includes Sku, Thukpa, Pava, and khambir (a local bread). Make sure to try Ladakhi food which is rich in flavor.
Which is the famous fruit in Ladakh?
Apricot is the famous fruit in Ladakh. In fact, the union territory of Ladakh is notably the largest producer of apricot fruit in the entire country with an annual production of 15,000 tonnes.
Which is the best time to visit Ladakh?
The most preferred time to visit Ladakh is during the summer season beginning April to July. The temperature in Ladakh during this time varies from 15 – 30 degrees Celsius.
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