Located in the northeastern corner of India, Nagaland is a place known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and unique dishes that many travellers visit just to relish. From wholesome one-pot meals to delicious desserts, Naga cuisine has plenty to offer. So, if you are planning to travel to Nagaland soon, make sure you try these five authentic dishes for an amazing gastronomic experience.
5 Authentic Dishes To Try In Nagaland
1. Galho
Galho is definitely a dish that you cannot miss on your Nagaland trip. It is a wholesome one-pot dish made with rice, vegetables like leafy greens and sometimes meat. It is often described as the Northeast Indian version of khichdi. Though Galho is mildly seasoned, it is sometimes served with spicy chutneys.
2. Naga Fish Curry
It is one of the best authentic dishes you need to try in Nagaland, as it is not just delicious but is also made with zero oil! The dish features river or freshwater fish, which is cooked with bamboo shoots and ghost peppers. Moreover, it is flavoured with ginger, garlic and other spices and is often served with steamed rice.
3. Chicken With Axone
Chicken with axone is another authentic Naga stew made by cooking chicken pieces with axone (akhuni), which is a traditional fermented soybean paste from Nagaland. This dish has a deep umami flavour that comes from the axone. Chicken with axone is hearty, wholesome and filling, and you can enjoy it when you are tired of all that exploring and shopping!
Also Read: 10 Local South Indian Dishes To Try In Mangaluru That Are Absolutely Lip-Smacking
4. Akibiye
This is for all the vegetarians visiting Nagaland. Akibiye is an amazing thick gravy dish made with colocasia (taro), mustard greens and bamboo shoots. However, a foodie should also know that Akibiye is not a heavily spiced dish. It contains minimal spices and has that comforting and earthy flavour to it. People usually enjoy Akibiye with steamed rice.
5. Nap Naang
Forget mango sticky rice, Nagaland has its own sticky rice dessert! Nap Naang is a traditional sweet black sticky rice pudding made using simple ingredients like glutinous black rice, water, milk and sugar. Moreover, this yummy Naga dessert has a kheer-like consistency and is very mildly sweet, with a very satisfying mouthfeel. This is one authentic dish you should enjoy during one of your trips to Nagaland, as you may not get it anywhere else.
What’s more? People in Nagaland use very little oil, lots of vegetables, and smoked meat in their cuisine, making it a healthy choice. Plus, they flavour the dishes with ginger, garlic, herbs and spicy chillies.
Also Read: Nagaland 7-Day Itinerary: Where To Go, What To See, Budget And More
So, tell us, which of these dishes are you excited to try?
Cover Image Courtesy: @galhoaunty/Instagram
FAQs
What to eat in Nagaland?
You can try Galho, Naga Fish Curry, Chicken with Axone, Akibiye and Nap Naang in Nagaland.