Manali is one of the most visited hill stations in India thanks to its pristine landscapes and breathtaking beauty. People who love mountains, natural beauty, and picturesque destinations would love it. It is also popular for adventurous activities too. However one area that takes a backseat is food!
The food of Manali is as delicious as it is beautiful. From the popular Indian cuisines to some of the local delicacies, the foodie in you will be impressed to try it all.
This article is dedicated to some of the foodies who don’t just want to explore the pretty places but also are eager to try new dishes everywhere they go. So here are some of the best foods to try in Manali!
1. Babru
Babru is one of the most popular street foods of Manali that you will luckily find in local sweet shops.
Babru can be compared with kachoris as it looks and is prepared the same way. Instead of spicy stuffing, Babru has the filling of two different dal and jaggery. It is served with tamarind chutney.
2. Sidhu
This Tibetan inspired dish gives an essence of a typical mountain taste. This is an age old recipe and has been made by locals for ages now. This traditional dish is half moon shaped. It is prepared with wheat flour and has mutton stuffing inside it. It is then steamed for a long time until it’s cooked perfectly. Served with multiple chutneys, this is one of the most popular meals in Manali!
3. Khatta
Khatta, too, is a must have Manali dish that will leave you wanting for more. This dish is made up of pumpkin, dry mango powder, and boodi (crisp little balls). It is traditionally eaten as a side dish but you can taste it on its own too. It’s simple yet delicious, and you are going to love it.
4. Chha Gosht
Chha Gosht is another popular mutton dish from Himachal Pradesh that you must try. It is cooked traditionally with an age-old recipe.
The lamb is perfectly marinated and it is cooked with some curd and gram flour to make a thick gravy covering the lamb pieces. You can have it with rice or Naan. It is a great dish that keeps the locals warm during the winter season.
5. Bhey
Bhey is another popular snack that you can have at most of the local cafes and restaurants with your tea or coffee.
Bhey is lotus stems cooked with a variety of flavors and making it a delicious snack. It is served with multiple different chutneys to enhance its taste.
6. Tudkiya Bhat
Tudkiya Bhat is another Himachali recipe that you must try. It’s a rice dish cooked with lentils and local spices so you can eat it as a main course. It’s very fulfilling and the spicy taste makes it distinct from other flavors. You can easily get a good bowl of Tudkiya Bhat in any local restaurant or traditional dabbas.
7. Channa Madra
Channa Madra is prepared with chickpeas as its core and cooked with several local ingredients and spices. It has tamarind so there will be tangy flavor, the garlic and onion makes it a wholesome Indian flavored dish too. It’s a simple food that you can have at any local restaurant and it will keep you energized for hours.
8. Mitta
Mitta is another popular Manali delicacy that you must try during your stay there. The dish is made with rice, raisins, and other dry fruits coupled with many spices too. It’s a whole meal in itself, you can compare the look of it with Biryani (or Pulao as it’s vegetarian!).
9. Aktori
Made during the festivals, Aktori is another traditional dish of the state that you must try out. It is made with buckwheat and honey, it surely is an example of a delicious dish made from simple ingredients. It’s abundantly available so you can find it easily in any local cafe or sweet shops.
10. Patande
People with a sweet tooth will love Patande. It is kind of a state’s own version of crepes. Made from milk, sugar, and wheat flour, it looks like crepes and tastes like an Indian sweet, overall it will certainly be your favorite thing to try there.
11. Trout
Trout is a local fish dish in Manali that is marinated with local species yet not going too overboard with the flavors. This is a simple dish with minimum ingredients cooked slowly to preserve the taste of the fish. People who count calories or want to eat something simple would love it!
12. Bread Omelette/ Maggie
Not any unique dishes, but these two are Manali specialities for its visitors. The simple food items are loved by the locals and tourists alike as they can always count on its familiar taste and simplicity. Enjoyed mainly as breakfast or evening snacks, you can easily find various food stalls selling these two items.
Conclusion
Here we have mentioned some of the authentic dishes from Manali that you must try out on your trip. We have also mentioned some of the famous dishes and specialities of Manali so you don’t have to compromise with mundane food on your trip! That’ll be for now and we hope our article gave you insights on what to eat during your Manali vacation!