Not only known for its rich diversity in culture and tradition, India is also known for its delicious diverse cuisines. One of the Northeastern states of India, Mizoram has a variety of unimaginably delicious delicates to offer. Mizo cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the people of Mizoram. The delicious food of Mizoram is mild to slightly spicy, tinted with influences of Chinese and North Indian cuisines. This blend gives a unique taste, and you will remember them long after you’ve eaten it. Mizo cuisine also shares characteristics with cuisine from other states of Northeast India. Like other Northeast states, rice is the staple food in Mizoram. Some popular meats in Mizoram cuisine are fish, chicken, pork, and beef. Mostly the food preparations are nonvegetarian in Mizoram. However, a fair share of vegetarian delicacies is also consumed.

Traditionally, the food in Mizoram is served on banana leaves, which makes Mizo food special. This is done to maintain their ancient culture. It adds flavor, fragrance, and a good presentation to the dish that makes it enticingly irresistible. Most of the dishes in Mizoram are cooked with mustard oil, which gives a distinct flavor to the dishes. People in Mizoram prefer bland meals with very little or no oil at all, boiled and steamed vegetables, and rice with fish. They use spices occasionally, and when they do, they mostly prefer using locally grown organic fresh spices. Lots of bamboo shoot is used in the preparation of their dishes. Bamboo shoots are considered a dish of its own. Dried bamboo shoots are added to many dishes, especially meat, as a spice.

Here are some of the popular foods of Mizoram that will make your mouth water and you will remember these foods for a long time after you have them.

1. Bai

Bai

One of the popular dishes in Mizoram is bai. It is made from a mixture of boiled vegetables, herbs, and spices where meat such as pork is added with bamboo shoots. It is basically a kind of soup with varieties of green vegetables, eggplants, and beans to different kinds of sprouts such as fenugreek sprouts and leaves as dressing or boiled along with other ingredients. The local herbs and spices with bamboo shoots add a distinct flavor to this dish. Traditionally, pork is said to be mandatory, but if you don’t eat meat, you can always exclude them. This light food can be treated as a starter for some main course meals. This food is available anywhere in Mizoram easily.

2. Bamboo Shoot Fry

Bamboo Shoot Fry

Bamboo shoot fry is a famous food in Mizoram. This dish is totally vegetarian. So if you are one, grab a plate of bamboo shoot fry and enjoy this amazing food of Mizoram. The bamboo shoots are boiled first and fried; not all kinds of bamboo shoots need to be boiled first. These shoots are fried and then tossed with herbs and spices. In some cases, mushrooms are also added to the fry for a different kind of mixture, flavor, and texture.

3. Koat Pitha

Koat Pitha

Koat Pitha is a fried dish from Mizoram made using rice flour and bananas. Sometimes fish is also added to the dish. This food looks crispy from the outside but is soft and warm from the inside. It is often considered a companion to evening tea. Due to the presence of banana in the dish, it will taste a bit sweet. When you visit Mizoram, do try this amazing local snack.

4. Vawksa Rep

Vawska rep is another popular dish in Mizoram. It is basically pork meat flavored with some delicious local herbs and spices. The meat is smoked and cut into cubes. These cubes are made soft and sometimes into chewable bites if you ask for them.

 5. Panch Phoran Tarka

 Panch Phoran Tarka

Yet another popular food of Mizoram is Panch Phoran Tarka. This food can be either made as a nonvegetarian dish or totally in a vegetarian fashion. For vegetarians, this dish is made with a lot of vegetables such as brinjal, pumpkins, and potatoes. For people who prefer this food to be made as nonvegetarian, then the most common meat to add is chicken. This dish is supposed to be spicy and delicious.

6. Misa Mach Poora

Misa Mach Poora

Misa mach poora is considered a side dish in Mizoram. Shrimps are cooked and sometimes grilled in mustard oil, lemon juice, orange zest, and assorted spices to get that juicy mouth-watering flavor. This side dish is definitely a must-try in Mizoram.

7. Chhum Han

Chhum Han

This food is a simple steamed vegetable of many kinds. People in Mizoram love simple, boiled, bland, and steamed vegetables as their staple food to have with rice and fish. You should try this dish to understand their choice of cooking method. Vegetables should not be overcooked. Mizos use vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, capsicums, and beans to prepare this food.

Whether you consider yourself a foodie or not, you are going to be feasting like royals in Mizoram. Who would want to miss a fusion of the taste of China and North India together? You will be stunned not only by their food but also by the local drinks they have. With such delicious delights, a side of yummy tasty local drink won’t hurt. After you visit beautiful Mizoram, I assure you that you will take home beautiful memories and remember the amazing taste of the food for a long time.

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