Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its natural beauty as well as its traditional vegetarian cuisine. The dishes here are based on local ingredients and centuries-old culinary traditions ...read more

Himachal Pradesh is renowned not only for its natural beauty but also for its traditional cuisine. Its vegetarian dishes showcase local ingredients, centuries-old culinary traditions, and a glimpse of the mountain lifestyle.

So, if you're planning a trip to Himachal, you should definitely try these 9 local vegetarian dishes. The taste of these Himachali dishes will make your trip memorable.

Madra

Madra is one of the most famous dishes in Himachal, especially in the Chamba and Kangra regions. It is a curry made with yogurt, in which chickpeas or kidney beans are cooked with copra and spices. It is an integral part of Dham cuisine and is known for its creamy taste.

Babru

This Kullu and Manali dish is a variation of Himachal's stuffed kachori. A dough filled with black gram paste is then fried. Served as a snack or with tea, babru has a unique flavor.

Dham

Dham is a traditional festive meal prepared on special occasions. It is a vegetarian dish consisting of madra, rajma, sweet and sour curry, rice, yogurt, and sweet rice (mittha). Dham holds special significance in Himachal's festivals.

Patande

This dish from the Chamba district is known as "Himachali Pancakes." Thin wheat flour pancakes are fried in ghee and served with jaggery or honey. This is a popular winter snack.

Mittha

This sweet rice is an integral part of the Dham. The rice is cooked with ghee, jaggery, dried fruits, and cardamom. Its aroma, flavor, and texture make it exceptional.

Khatta Chana

This simple yet tasty Himachali dish is made by cooking black chickpeas with tomatoes, ginger, green chilies, and spices. The tanginess typically comes from dry mango powder or tomatoes. It's a favorite side dish among locals.

Aktori

This unique dish from Lahaul-Spiti is made with buckwheat flour. Buckwheat flour is mixed with milk and walnuts and baked like pancakes. Its flavor reflects the uniqueness of the buckwheat grown in this high-altitude region.

Tudkiya Bhath

This Himachali pulao is made by cooking kidney beans, lentils, and rice with spices. Garnished with ghee and dried fruits, it's a nutritious and delicious dish.

Siddu

This famous bread-like dish of Himachal is made from wheat flour and stuffed with boiled potatoes, walnuts, and spices. It is steamed and served hot with ghee or butter. Siddu is especially popular in Kullu and Manali.

(Picture Courtesy: Instagram)