One of the best ways to learn about the culture and history of a place is through food. While most of us know Ladakh as an ideal holiday destination for a road trip with its rugged terrain and picturesque mountains, Not many people know about all the delicious dishes here. The food of Ladakh is not limited to just momos and soups, from foods like thukpa and skyu to some specially prepared dishes like tapu, everything here is worth savoring. With influences from Tibetan, Korean and Chinese cuisine, one can also find countless food options to enjoy here. With staple foods like butter tea and grains like barley and wheat the food here is perfect to beat the cold days in Ladakh.
Let’s discover and explore all the must-try dishes for your next trip to Leh Ladakh.
8 Must Try Foods of Ladakh
1.SkyU
Image Credit: Sky Walk Ladakh for Facebook
A quintessential Ladakhi soup dish, first on our list of the best food in Ladakh is Skyyu. To make this stew, thumb-sized balls of barley or wheat are kneaded and then flattened with other vegetables like potatoes, turnips and carrots. Traditionally in some villages of Ladakh, milk is added as the main ingredient in this stew. It is the perfect comfort food for the people of Ladakh to enjoy on cold days.
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2. Ladakhi Pulao
As the name suggests, it is a rice dish made with vegetables or meat. But what makes it different is the use of local spices and subtle Ladakhi flavours. Made by soaking white rice in aromatic species and mutton stock, which is then cooked to perfection with ingredients like caramelized onions, nuts and carrots. This dish is quite famous and can be easily found on the streets of Ladakh, but nothing beats the taste of authentic Ladakhi pulao cooked at home.
3.Chhutagi
One of the signature dishes of Ladakh, Chutagi is a pasta-like dish made from small bow-shaped dough cooked in a vegetable sauce base. As tempting as this dish sounds, it is also very nutritious as it is prepared with green leafy vegetables, carrots and potatoes. One can also find a non-veg version of this dish, where it is prepared with meat. This dish is definitely a must try for anyone visiting Ladakh for the first time.
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4. Khambir
Best enjoyed when freshly cooked, as a snack with butter tea, Khambir is a traditional Ladakhi bread. It is made from fermented wheat flour which is then cooked directly over a fire, locals usually enjoy it with vegetables, eggs or any soup. It is a staple breakfast dish here and the amazing thing about khambir is that it can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.
5. Tingmo
Another one in the bread category is tingmo or timok. Originating in Tibet, it is steamed bread enjoyed with lentils and cooked vegetables. This soft, fluffy loaf-shaped bread is made from white flour and pairs very well with the stew. It is a staple dish of the people of Ladakh and can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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6. Churpe
Also known as yak cheese, churpé is made from the milk of the dzomo, a domesticated yak that is a hybrid of yak and cow. Due to the scarcity of vegetables in Ladakh, it is widely consumed by the people here and you can find two variants of this cheese, soft and hard. Rich in proteins and vitamins, this paneer can be paired with dishes like thukpa or used as a filling in momos.
7. Butter Tea/Saza
Although it is not a food item, our list of the best food in Ladakh would only be complete with the mention of butter tea, locally known as tsaza or gur-gur tea. Butter tea, a traditional drink in the Himalayan regions, is made from yak butter and salt mixed with water containing tea leaves. This high-calorie tea is commonly consumed in high altitude areas, especially places like Ladakh, to escape the cold weather.
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8. Thukpa
The ever-famous noodle soup, Thukpa, is a widely consumed dish here. Although this dish does not originate from Ladakh, it is quite famous among the locals and tourists. A clear vegetable soup served with flat noodles made from wheat or barley is something that anyone can enjoy on a cold winter’s day. Its preparation with local spices and the added touch with local chutney makes it a must try among all other food of Ladakh.
Apart from the stunning landscapes and picturesque views, now that you have more reasons to visit Leh Ladakh, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Ladakh to taste these delicious local dishes.
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FAQs About Food in Ladakh
What is the food and culture in Ladakh?
The cuisine of Ladakh is mostly influenced by Tibetan, Korean, Chinese and continental cuisines. Apart from this, the staple food of Ladakh includes grains like wheat and barley and foods like noodle soup, butter tea, chuttagi and more to survive the cold weather there.
Which is the famous sweet of Ladakh?
Firni, rice pudding, which has its origins in Iran, is a commonly served sweet dish here. It is usually served in a kulhad (earthen pot) and is mixed with milk, rice, dry fruits and sugar.
Which is the main food crop of Ladakh?
Given the terrain and landscape of Ladakh, grime (naked barley), wheat and peas are commonly grown crops here and also form the main part of the diet of the Ladakhi people.
Which is the local drink of Leh?
Chang, the local beer made from barley, millet or rice grains, is a famous drink here and is perfect to quench your thirst. Another popular drink here is butter tea which is traditional to all the Himalayan regions, as this high calorie drink is helpful in beating the cold of winter.
Which fruit is commonly found in Ladakh?
Apricot is a fruit commonly found in Ladakh and there is also a dish called tapu which is made using apricot and wheat flour.
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