Famous food of Himachal Pradesh

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure through the famous food of Himachal Pradesh.

From hearty meals to scrumptious snacks, the famous food of Himachal Pradesh is a gastronomic delight that reflects the region’s cultural diversity. Himachal Pradesh food offers a blend of unique and flavorful dishes.

In this blog, we will take you on a culinary journey of to explore the ultimate guide to Himachal Pradesh’s famous food. From traditional dishes to modern fusion, we will delve into the unique flavours and history behind each dish, making this the perfect guide for food enthusiasts and travellers alike.

List of 13 Himachal Pradesh Popular Food

Himachal Pradesh, located in the northern part of India, is a land of diverse landscapes, scenic beauty, and rich cultural heritage. Some popular Himachal Pradesh food is listed below. Dishes from this cuisine will definitely touch your soul.

1. Chana Madra

Chana Madra is a famous food of Himachal Pradesh. This dish is made from Kabuli Chana. Kabuli Chana is a white chickpea. Madra means thick gravy made with yoghurt.

This Thick Gravy based dish is s cooked with spices. This is one of the most famous dishes of Shimla, Himachal. Easily available at any restaurant. Himachal cuisine has a special place for tangy flavour dishes. It is the main course dish.

2. Tudkiya Bhath

Another main course dish from Himachal Cuisine. Bhath is Hindi word for Steamed rice. Actually, Tudkiya Bhath is a spicy flavour of rice. And It’s really very close to Pulao.

To make this traditional rice dish of Himachal, people cook rice, dal, lentils, potatoes, onions, and other spices with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and bay leaf.

To complete the dish, drops of Mash Daal and Lemon are added before serving Tudkiya Bhath.

3. Bhey (Spicy Lotus Stems)

A list of Himachal famous food includes another Traditional dish of the state i.e “Bhey”. A dish made of a lotus stem. Bhey means “in the lap of Himalaya”. It is one of the famous dishes of Himachal. It’s a delicious dish, famous in every household.

This dish is prepared with lotus stems. Lotus Stems are cut into thin slices and stir-fried with ginger garlic paste, gram flour, Peper, and other spices.

Lotus is extremely good of health. It has a unique flavour and taste. Bhey is very popular street food and is easily available in every restaurant and Dhaba of Shimla.

4. Chha Gosht-Traditional dish from the Himachal Pradesh

This dish is for lamb lovers. Himachali food is incomplete without Chha Gosht. it is a delicious lamb dish from the Himachal Cuisine. Chha Gosht is a traditional dish from the Himachal Pradesh region of India.

People make this meat dish by cooking marinated lamb or mutton in a blend of local spices and yoghurt. They marinate the meat with a mixture of yoghurt, ginger, garlic, and a blend of spices for several hours to absorb the flavours.

Firstly, people slow-cook the meat over a low flame until it becomes tender, and the gravy thickens to a rich and creamy texture. Afterwards, they usually serve Chha Gosht with steamed rice or roti.

Additionally, it is a popular non-vegetarian dish in Himachal Pradesh, especially during festive occasions and weddings.

The gravy of this dish is made of gram flour, yoghurt, and other spices. The dish is cooked and marinated with lamb meat. This Himachal dish gives a distinct taste to your taste buds.

5. Babru

Babru (also known as Babroo) is a popular snack dish from the Himachal Pradesh region of India.

To make Babru, people stuff a spiced mixture of black gram lentils (urad dal) into a flour dough and deep-fry it until crispy and golden brown. They prepare the stuffing by grinding soaked lentils with a blend of local spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds.

People usually serve Babru with a side of tamarind chutney or mint chutney. It is a popular street food in Himachal Pradesh, especially in the town of Mandi.

6. Aktori- Traditional food of Himachal Pradesh

Aktori is a traditional dish from the Himachal Pradesh region of India.

People make Aktori, a savoury pancake, by combining buckwheat flour and grated potatoes and seasoning it with a blend of local spices. Then, they cook the pancake on a griddle with ghee (clarified butter) until it becomes crispy on both sides.

Aktori is typically served with a side of chutney or raita, and it is a popular breakfast or snack item in the region.

7. Kullu Trout fish- A famous fish dish of Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Trout Fish is a Famous Traditional food of Himachal. If you want to enjoy the taste of the river fish of Himachal, You should try this dish. It is a very famous food in the Kullu region.

To prepare this Pahadi dish, people marinate fish with spices and mustard oil and then cook it. They use minimum spices to keep the dish simple. If you are a seafood lover, you should try this dish.

Locals eat this dish usually with rice.

8. Kaale Channe ka Khatta

People commonly eat this famous food of Himachal in various parts of North India. They cook black chickpeas in a tangy and slightly sour gravy made with tamarind, onions, and spices to make this dish.

However, Himachal Pradesh has unique and famous food items like Dhaam, Siddu, Chha Gosht, Madra, and more that are worth exploring.

9. Kadoo Ka Khatta

People from the Himachal Pradesh region of India prepare Kadoo ka Khatta, a traditional dish made with grated pumpkin, tamarind pulp, and a blend of local spices that creates a tangy and spicy pumpkin curry.

The pumpkin is first sautéed with onions, garlic, and ginger, and then simmered with tamarind pulp and spices until it becomes tender and flavorful.

The dish is usually garnished with fresh coriander leaves and served with steamed rice or roti. Kadoo ka Khatta is a popular vegetarian dish in Himachal Pradesh, especially during the winter season when pumpkins are in abundance

10. Mash Daal-

Yes, Mash Daal (also known as Urad Daal) is a popular dish in the Himachal Pradesh region of India.

To make Mash Daal, people first cook black lentils with onion, ginger, garlic, and a blend of local spices. Once the lentils become tender and creamy in texture, they garnish the dish with a tempering of ghee, cumin seeds, and red chilli powder. Typically, Mash Daal is served with steamed rice or roti, and it is a staple food in many households in Himachal Pradesh.

Mash Daal is typically served with steamed rice or roti and is a staple food in many households in Himachal Pradesh.

Famous Sweet Dishes from Himachal Pradesh Food

11. Mittha-Popular sweet dish of Himachal Pradesh

Mittha is a famous dessert dish from the Himachal Pradesh region of India.

Locals make this sweet dish by combining rice, milk, and sugar and adding a blend of local spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for flavour. They usually slow-cook the dish over a low flame until the rice becomes tender, and the milk thickens to form a creamy texture. Sometimes, they add dried fruits and nuts to enhance the flavour and texture of the dish.

Moreover, Mittha is a popular dessert during festivals and special occasions in Himachal Pradesh. People usually serve it chilled or at room temperature.

12. Patande- A popular sweet dish of Himachal Pradesh

Patande is a traditional dish from the Himachal Pradesh region of India. People make this type of pancake with wheat flour, yoghurt, and sugar, and they typically serve it for breakfast. Initially, they mix the batter with water to make a smooth consistency. Afterwards, they pour it onto a hot griddle to cook.

To make a pancake, flip it once the surface starts to dry out, and cook it until it turns golden brown on both sides. In the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, people usually serve Patande with a side of ghee (clarified butter) or honey, and it is a popular dish.

13. Dham- Famous Feast of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its “Dham”. It is a traditional feast. Locals enjoy this feast during all special events and celebrations. A particular caste of Brahmins (Botis) prepares Dham.

Dham is the special food of Himachal Pradesh. The menu of this traditional Himachali feast generally includes a variety of dishes such as rice, moong dal, Madra, chole, and Mash Dal with Khatta. For dessert, people usually serve Mitha Bhatt (Rice) or Mithdee.

This feast Menu varies from region to region.