You’ve probably heard about Meghalaya, a place so beautiful that you’ll run out of ways to praise it! Known as the “Abode of Clouds,” Meghalaya is so stunning that you won’t want to leave. With Meghalaya tour packages, you can explore its amazing landscapes, green hills, and thick forests. You’ll also find peaceful lakes, gorgeous waterfalls, and unique living root bridges, where nature and tradition come together.
But food lovers, take note! Meghalaya isn’t just about its natural beauty; it’s also known for some of the best dishes you can find. With influences from South Asian traditions, tribal cultures, and Indian flavours, the food in Meghalaya is truly exciting.
Get ready to taste delicious dishes of Meghalaya that will make your mouth water just from reading this blog!
14 Meghalaya Dishes That Deserve a Spot on Your Plate
Famous Non-Veg Food of Meghalaya
- Nakham Bitchi: A must-try dish in Meghalayan food, this spicy fish soup is perfect for warming up on a cold day.
- Jadoh: One of the most popular dishes in Meghalaya’s famous food, Jadoh is a rice dish cooked with meat, often pork. (Its vegetarian version is also a famous veg food of Meghalaya.)
- Dohkhlieh: A refreshing pork salad, this dish is a staple in traditional Meghalaya food.
- Pudoh: This dish, a steamed rice cake with pork, is well-loved in Meghalaya’s famous food.
- Tungtap: A spicy fermented fish chutney that is a popular side dish in Meghalayan food.
- Dohneiiong: A pork curry made with black sesame seeds, a signature in Meghalayan food.
- Dohjem: A dish made from pork belly and intestines, Dohjem is a unique addition to popular food in Meghalaya.
Famous Veg Food of Meghalaya
- Pumaloi: A favourite in Meghalaya food items, Pumaloi is a unique steamed rice dish.
- Sakin Gata: A sweet treat from Meghalaya food, Sakin Gata is a rice cake layered with sesame seeds.
- Kyat: A famous traditional drink in Meghalaya famous food, Kyat is a fermented rice beer.
- Pukhlein: A crispy, sweet snack made from rice flour, popular in Meghalaya food items.
- Minil Songa: A sticky rice dish, Minil Songa is another favourite in Meghalaya’s famous food.
- Tungrymbai: A fermented soybean dish that is a must-try in Meghalaya’s famous food.
- Kwai: Betel nut served with lime and betel leaves, a cultural symbol in Meghalayan food.
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1. Nakham Bitchi – Spicy Dry Fish Soup
The cuisine of Meghalaya never fails to surprise with its unique flavours. Getting the top spot in this list of famous food of Meghalaya is a delicious soup to satisfy your foodie soul. Nakham Bitchi is made of dry fish with vegetables and is a famous non-veg food of Meghalaya. This traditional soup features sun-dried or fire-dried fish, simmered with vegetables to create a rich, thick broth.
This dish is flavoured with lots of spicy chilies and pepper to enhance its taste and add tanginess to it. Its distinct taste and aromatic spices make it among the must-try dishes of Meghalaya. You’ll never have tasted fish quite like this before!
2. Jadoh – Meghalaya Biryani
Regarded as the most famous food of Meghalaya, Jadoh is appetizing, nutritionally rich, and unique in its colour. The pork or chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices, and then cooked until perfectly tender. Once the meat is done, it’s combined with the rice and spices, creating a flavorful blend.
The dish is often steamed or baked, allowing the flavours to meld together beautifully and enhance the overall taste. The recipe involves cooking rice with chicken, fish, or pork and, for some extra taste, green chilies, onions, ginger, turmeric, bay leaves, and black pepper.
All of this is fried and cooked. Sounds tasty, right? Well, then you must try this one of the best dishes of Meghalaya. The cuisine of Meghalaya just keeps getting interesting, doesn’t it?
3. Dohkhlieh – A Spicy Meghalayan Salad
Dive into the vibrant world of Meghalaya cuisine with Dohkhlieh, a spicy salad that’s as bold as it is delicious. If you’re a pork fan, then this is a famous food of Meghalaya you must try. Sharply sliced pieces of pork, onion, mint, ginger, soy sauce, and some spices to taste, Dohkhlieh is one dish that’s super rich in protein and is filled with all the nutrition one can get.
Taste and health together? A combo not found everywhere, right? Taste and health together? A combo not found everywhere, right? The best offering from Meghalaya cuisine, Dohkhlieh, is typically served cold as a side dish or appetizer.
It’s a flavorful accompaniment that perfectly complements other traditional food of Meghalaya, making each bite a delightful and healthful experience. Need any more reasons why it’s a famous non-veg food of Meghalaya?
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5. Tungtap – A Spicy Fermented Fish Chutney
Tungtap is a unique and flavorful dish from Meghalaya, particularly cherished in Khasi cuisine. It’s a fermented fish chutney that delivers a distinctive taste, combining fermented fish with spices and herbs. Tungtap is known for its strong, savoury flavour and is often served as a condiment or side dish and can be best enjoyed with the street food of Meghalaya.
To make Tungtap, fish is fermented with ingredients like salt and sometimes rice or bamboo shoots. This process gives it a tangy and umami-rich flavour. The chutney is usually mixed with ingredients such as chopped onions, green chilies, and coriander, adding layers of texture and spice.
5. Doh-Neiiong – A Spicy Pork Stew
Another one on the list is this lilting, yummy mix of pork and curry. The dish is such heaven on earth, that it’ll definitely leave you licking your fingers. With pork and a rich thick gravy adding generous flavours along with the green chillies, pepper, red onions, black sesame, and local spices, Doh-neigong is something you can’t find anywhere else.
And then, if you love pork, what else can you ask for? A thick juicy gravy with pork pieces cut fine, literally mouth-watering. Totally something that you can’t miss out on when exploring the cuisine of Meghalaya.
6. Dohjem – A Savory Pork Dish
You must have noticed there are many pork dishes in Meghalaya! The pork here tastes more delicious than anywhere else in the world. One of the traditional foods of Meghalaya you must try is Dohjem, a flavorful Khasi dish made from a mixture of pork intestines and pork belly. It’s cooked with a blend of traditional spices and herbs, resulting in a rich and savoury pork curry.
Often enjoyed with Jadoh or plain rice, Dohjem is a staple in the cuisine of Meghalaya. This dish is made similarly to a chicken curry, incorporating veggies and spices to enhance the flavours. Though known for its spiciness, it can be adjusted to a milder version for those who prefer less heat without losing its delicious taste.
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7. Pumaloi – A Steamed Rice Food in Meghalaya
Rice is the most popular traditional food of Meghalaya. No wonder, the people of Meghalaya consume rice in a number of ways and Pumaloi is one of the most favourite ones. Moving further, Pumaloi means rice in the form of powder. This powder is put to steam and cooked inside a unique pot called Khiew Ranei.
While cooking this dish, the heat is on a medium level with the right amount of water. Pumaloi is typically served warm or cold. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a side of curry or chutney.
All of this goes into bringing up the bright powdery taste of Pumaloi. And makes it worth each buck when you’re tasting the traditional street food of Meghalaya!
8. Pudoh – A Savory Meghalayan Rice Dish
If you thought Pumaloi was delicious, wait until you try Pudoh! This dish is similar to Pumaloi but with a twist. Imagine tender pork pieces mingling with powdered rice (yes, rice is a big deal here!).
The magic happens when this mix of rice dust and juicy pork is steamed together, letting the pork’s rich flavour infuse into every grain of rice. It is usually served with a curry sauce made from sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, simmered with coconut milk if desired.
But that’s not all—Pudoh is served with a rich curry sauce that adds a whole new level of flavour. It’s the kind of dish you’d want to pull out for special occasions like weddings or festivals, making it a standout in Meghalaya cuisine.
9. Sakin Gata – A Hearty Meghalayan Snack
Sakin Gata is a traditional Meghalayan sweet dish that’s known for its delicate flavour and unique texture. It’s a popular dessert in the cuisine of Meghalaya that’s often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations.
The rice is cooked and cooled. Roasted sesame seeds are ground into a paste. The rice, sesame paste, sugar, coconut milk, and cardamom powder are mixed to form a dough. The dough is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Once steamed, the sheets are cut into small squares and served.
The best way to serve is hot out of the pot as a wholesome homemade delish which is a must-try famous food of Meghalaya.
10. Kyat – A Traditional Meghalayan Rice Beer
A unique offering of the cuisine of Meghalaya and a true symbol of Meghalayan hospitality, Kyat is one heaven of a party drink. Made naturally using rice, Kyat is a fermented rice beer with an ultra-unique flavour. For preparation, the ingredients are put to boil in water. After that, the drink gets ready and can be garnished with local ingredients and served.
Shillong is one of the best places for enjoying Kyat. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get it anywhere else on your next Meghalaya road trip. Each and every bar that you see in Meghalaya can serve you this beauty of a drink.
The drink’s fame and goodness is unmatched. No wonder, no household in Meghalaya will let you leave without having a glass of Kyat. Sweet, right?
11. Pukhlein – A Sweet Meghalayan Snack
The list of famous traditional food of Meghalaya is incomplete without Pukhlein. More powdered rice for the seekers of famous food of Meghalaya. Pukhlein as mentioned above is made with rice powder. But different from the others here, this dish is sweet for a change. And guess the sweetener? Natural jaggery! Brilliant, right?
The dish is prepared by frying the jaggery and rice mixture in a pan forming a deep and thick paste. The ingredients in the pan turn golden brown and crispy. That’s the rice speaking of its sweet taste.
To make the most out of this dish, you can serve it with a wide variety of meat items. It’s so simple and so delicious, missing out on this famous veg food of Meghalaya will be a really bad idea.
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12. Minil Songa – A Traditional Meghalayan Rice Cake
Minil Songa is a traditional dish from Meghalaya that highlights the region’s distinctive flavours and cooking methods. This unique Meghalayan traditional food features sticky rice mixed with aromatic spices like turmeric, ginger, and chilies, along with fresh herbs such as lemongrass and coriander.
What sets Minil Songa apart is its preparation: the rice mixture is carefully stuffed into bamboo tubes, which are then steamed. The bamboo imparts a subtle smoky flavour and delightful aroma to the rice, creating a truly memorable and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Meghalayan cuisine.
13. Tungrymbai – A Hearty Bean and Pork Soup
Tungrymbai is a traditional Meghalayan soup celebrated for its hearty flavour and nutritious ingredients. This popular Meghalaya traditional food is often enjoyed as a main course, offering a comforting and satisfying meal.
The soup features a distinctive tangy and slightly sour flavour from fermented soybeans, which is a key component of the recipe. Pork is commonly used to add richness, although vegetarian versions can be made with tofu or vegetables.
A variety of vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, spinach, and tomatoes, are included to enhance both flavour and nutrition. The soup is prepared with a flavorful broth, typically chicken or vegetable, and seasoned with spices like turmeric, ginger, and chilies to elevate its taste.
14. Kwai – A Tasty Betel Nut Snack
Kwai is a traditional and must-try food in Meghalaya. It is a combination of sliced and roasted betel nuts, often served with betel leaves, tobacco, and lime.
Just like “Paan”, every Meghalayan meal ends with this. Kwai holds great cultural significance and is one of the deeply traditional foods of Meghalaya. Beyond its culinary appeal, Kwai serves as a symbol of hospitality and friendship, as it is customarily offered to guests as a gesture of welcome.
This local delicacy not only provides a unique taste and texture but also allows travellers to engage with the rich cultural practices and warm hospitality of the Meghalayan people, making it an essential experience when exploring the vibrant cuisine of Meghalaya.
Where to Find the Famous Food of Meghalaya
Exploring the food in Meghalaya is a delightful adventure, offering a taste of the region’s unique and flavorful cuisine. Here are some must-visit spots to sample dishes from Meghalaya:
- Shillong: The capital city is the culinary hub of Meghalaya. Head to the bustling Police Bazaar area for a variety of local eateries and street food. Don’t miss Dylan’s Cafe for a mix of traditional and contemporary Meghalayan cuisine, and Lamee Restaurant for authentic Khasi and Jaintia delicacies. Here, you can enjoy dishes like Jadoh (rice cooked with meat) and Tungrymbai (fermented soybean Meghalaya traditional food).
- Mawlynnong Village: Known for its cleanliness and charm, Mawlynnong also offers an opportunity to taste traditional Khasi cuisine. The local eateries here serve delicious pork with bamboo shoots and other classic Meghalayan dishes.
- Mawsynram: While famous for being one of the wettest places on earth, Mawsynram also has some local food joints where you can try out regional specialties like Doh-neigong (pork cooked with black sesame seeds) and Khadine (spicy fish curry). Street food of Meghalaya can also be found here, offering a taste of local flavours.
- Tura: In the Garo Hills, Tura offers a glimpse into Garo cuisine. Try local favourites at The Garo Kitchen and Mina’s Restaurant, where you can taste dishes like wadon (fermented soybean paste) and pork with bamboo shoots. The street food of Meghalaya in Tura is also worth exploring for authentic food in Meghalaya.
- Jowai: Known for its vibrant food scene, Jowai is a great place to try dishes like Koh Piya (a special rice cake) and Pork with Bamboo Shoots at places like Hotel Landmark and The Old Monk Restaurant. The dishes of Meghalaya are prominently featured in the local eateries, offering an authentic taste of Meghalaya’s famous food.
For an authentic experience, look for local markets and food stalls where traditional cooking methods and recipes are preserved. Enjoy your culinary journey through Meghalaya cuisine!
In conclusion, Meghalayan cuisine has a whole different vibe! Get ready for a food adventure in Meghalaya! Whether you’re munching on street food of Meghalaya in Shillong or diving into the cuisine of Meghalaya at a cozy local spot, one thing’s for sure; you won’t leave hungry! The famous food of Meghalaya, like the spicy Tungrymbai and the tasty Pudoh, will make you wonder what you’ve been eating until now.
And let’s not forget the traditional food of Meghalaya, which are like little bites of history on your plate. So, if you’re up for a trip filled with yummy eats, pack your stretchy pants and head to Meghalaya, where every dish is a tasty surprise waiting to be discovered! And if you're planning the adventure, WanderOn might just be the perfect travel buddy to help you eat your way through the hills.
