Darjeeling Delicious Local Food and Drinks

Darjeeling being one of the hottest tourism spots and mostly dominated by Gorkhas, and Tibetans local dishes from Nepal and Tibet
are more popular among the masses. Since, mostly catering to the tourist a lot of multi cuisine and specialized restaurants can also be found. But in the meantime during your stay in Darjeeling one shall not miss on the local food and drinks, which would prove to be a taste bud changer. Something very unique from the day to day schedule of eating process. One should not miss to taste the local food mentioned below:

Momos
One of the most popular local snack food, Momo of Tibetan origin, are dumplings prepared by stuffing minced meat, vegetables, or cheese flour dough. Choice is yours you can either have steamed momos or the fried ones. But mostly people savor the steamed ones. Eight momos which constitute one double served with homemade chili sauce and a bowl of soup are quite filling. It is available in almost all the restaurants small/big ones and even road side stalls.

Thukpa
Another popular local cuisine, Thukpa is a noodle served in soup with diced vegetables, meat, egg, etc. A

bowl of thukpa can easily kill your hunger and fill your stomach for a long time.  Easily found on almost all the restaurants and even the road stalls.

Alu Dum
Every local’s favorite food is alu dum; there are even some locals who cannot do without having alu dum for a day. Alu Dum is basically a typical Nepali dish as well as Bengali but it differs a lot as Bengalis have a sweet texture whereas in Darjeeling people prefer it spicing hot with their tongue burning out. It is basically boiled potatoes cut into pieces made with thick gravy, with mixture of hot spices, even the local spice “dalley-khorsani” Nepali name.  Found in almost all the small road side shops and served with bhujiya, Mimi, and other wafers.

Sael Roti
Mostly made in the festive season of Diwali and Dusshera, it is local bread like made out of a thick paste of grinded rice, few masala and water. The paste is then poured in boiling oil in circular shape and deep fried. It can be eaten with anything, with a cup of famous Darjeeling tea too. It is normally not available but if you happen to pay a visit during festive time you would be lucky enough to savor it.

Gundruk
It is actually not a dish, but prepared at local homes out of the green leaves of mustard, radish, etc which are fermented over two or three days and then left to dry up in the sun. Out of Gundruk one can easily make a simple soup by just adding onions and tomatoes because it has its own strong flavor and typical smell. Usually not found in any restaurants, but found in almost all local houses. Make a local friend and enjoy the strong flavor of Gundruk.

Churpee with Niguru
Prepared from Cow’s or Yak’s milk, it is basically milk based item available in both hard and soft forms. The hard ones can be eaten just like a toffee. While the soft ones can be cooked along with Niguru (local fiddlehead fern) which makes a fantastic dish. Not to be found in restaurants but cooked in houses as one of the tasty dishes.

Darjeeling Tea
Worldwide known for its tea, unless and until one doesn’t have a cup of authentic Darjeeling tea here itself in Darjeeling you would certainly miss out something for sure. You can pick any restaurant or cafe to enjoy your cup of the famous Darjeeling tea. Best place to buy and drink Darjeeling tea would be for sure, The Nathmulls. You will also find many tea stalls around the town, but for quality and authenticity The Nathmulls and the Golden Tips are the best stall to pick some packed of genuine and world class Darjeeling tea.

Tongba (Chang)
Tongba is said to be called a local beer, having no alcohol content but if taken in large quantity can be intoxicating. It is prepared from millets by fermenting it with yeast, and served in a bamboo made glass with a bamboo made pipe only. The fermented millet is topped with warm water and refilled for a couple of times. You will find this in proper local alcohol shops where you are served only Tongba in the name of alcohol with dried meats.  It’s good and healthy, but only if taken in a small quantity or else if taken in large quantity it can be intoxicating.

There are some of the most popular local cuisine and drinks you should not miss out. Though you will find many other trendy restaurants around the town that serves continental, Chinese, Italian, Indian and European Recipes, but the magical taste of the Darjeeling local cuisine would sure make you lick your fingers.