Posted 16 July 2024 in Food Tripping

5 dishes you must try when visiting the mountains

India is known for many things but the food is definitely in the top few. Countless delicacies are popular among people. While finding the correct places to wander, one must also look for places to find the right food. Mountains and the nearby regions are not only known for their scenic beauty but also their food. There are many dishes that you must savour up in the mountains.

India is already known for its many spices and if you try out dishes famous in the mountains, then that is the cherry on top of your whole experience. Before you start exploring the various options that there are in Indian mountainous regions, you must figure out your travel situation. Luckily, IndiGo flight routes have you covered. Now, you can visit almost all the places and give yourself a treat with those yummy dishes.

Top mountain dishes to try in India

1. Ladakhi pulao

A really beautiful city to explore, Ladakh brings all the joy that there is. You can visit Ladakh from April to June, which might be the hottest months in other parts of India, but the least cold here. Along with enjoying splendid views of snow-capped mountains, you can also eat some of the best dishes here.

We all have heard of the harsh climate of Ladakh. But that does not stop many of us from visiting the place and the one dish you must try here is the Ladakhi Pulao. It is the subtlety of the dish that makes people get attracted to it. Now, these are not your regular rice with just a few tweaks. You can feel the aroma of the various special seasonings that you can get only in Ladakh. There are carrots and onions, both caramelised, along with nuts. Some other dishes to go with it would be tigmo, phirni, cholak, and skyu. One travel tip you must follow while going to Ladakh is to pack woollen clothing.

2. Momos

Momos is one dish that you can find in almost all the restaurants and cafés. However, it is a different experience when you get to taste the dish in the mountains. Sikkim is the place of origin of Momos in India. There are two durations when you can visit the place. One is during the months between March and May, and the other is between September and mid-December.

3. Dal Bhat

India’s special delicacy is dal bhat. The dish is a combination of different types of lentils and rice. For some Indian families, it is common and is prepared regularly and for some, it is made on special occasions only. You will find dal bhat to be a popular dish in many of the Indian regions such as the Himalayas and Rajasthan. The way the dish is prepared in the Himalayas is completely different from the way it is cooked in other parts of India. If you are planning to visit the mountains during the winter, then dal bhat is a must-try. It is also popular in Nepal.

4. Dham thali

While talking about the mountains, Himachal Pradesh is one such place that is known for its extremely exquisite views and really tasty food. Some travellers visit Himachal Pradesh to enjoy the beauty of the snow-covered mountains and some like to visit the hill station for its local food. These regional dishes are not just mouth-watering but are healthy as well. If you are on the lookout for the best season to visit Himachal Pradesh, then we have the answer for you. You can go ahead and book your IndiGo flight for the spring or summer, that is, from February to June. This is the time when the climate is favourable for you and the evenings are not too cold.

While here, you must try the dham thali. It is made with moong dal, rice, and chickpeas cooked in yoghurt, along with other ingredients. Once you taste multiple Himachal Pradesh dishes, you will find that many of them have turmeric and cardamom as their main ingredients. You can also try the pahadi chicken, Chamba-style fried fish, Kullu trout, channa madra, and chha gosht.

5. Dum Aloo

As it is fondly called, “Paradise on Earth,” Kashmir is the best place to savour this dish. The cold winters are perfectly spent with some dum aloo on the menu for sure. The rich and authentic vegetable is best for cold nights.

If you want to visit Kashmir, then the best time would be between March and August. It is still cool during this time, but not as much as the colder months of December and January. This is also the best time to enjoy activities such as trekking, Shikara riding, snowboarding, skiing, and more. Just do not forget to pack some warm clothes.

Some useful tips to keep in mind while travelling to some top mountains in India

While travelling, nobody wants to miss out on the best that the place has to offer. So, here we have some tips that will help you get the most out of all the places that you visit:

When you are packing, ensure that you have the appropriate clothes as per the weather. It is always a good idea to wear a jacket. Mountain regions are mostly known to havelower temperatures throughout the year.
If you are going to a new place, then the best way to get the experience is by checking with the local people.
Do research in advance about the place that you are visiting, especially the many delicacies that it has to offer. You must also be on the lookout for the best place that’ll offer the most authentic version of the dish.