Famous for more than simply its colonial architecture and desirable setting in the foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla is also known for its delicious food. The hill resort of Shimla offers its guests a fascinating fusion of different foods, combining traditional Himachali meals with influences from numerous other culinary traditions. Prepare yourself to experience the tastes and fragrances of Shimla's exceptional cuisine as you head off on a culinary adventure.
This blog will take us on a gastronomic Shimla tour, highlighting the city's well-known dishes and their special tastes. Check out these mouthwatering foods that are sure to please your taste buds!
List of Famous Food of Shimla.
- Sidu
- Chha gosht
- Madra
- Tudkiya bhath
- Aktori
- Babru
- Sepu vadi
- Gucchi pulao
- Tibetan momos
- Thukpa
- Mash daal
- Kukrej
- Anardana chicken Himachali style
- Kaale chane ka khatta
- Kullu trout fish
- Himachali dhaam
1. Sidu
The native Himachali cuisine Sidu has become known as Shimla's staple food. Sidu is a wheat flour-based steamed bread filled with a blend of spices, ghee (clarified butter), and crushed black lentils. It is a popular breakfast choice among the locals and is usually served with butter or desi (local) ghee. The delightful filling and the soft bread combine to create Sidu, a popular dish that highlights Himachali cuisine's skill.
2. Chha Gosht
Chha Gosht is a meal that you should not miss if you are not vegetarian. This Himachali specialty is lamb that has been marinated and cooked with yogurt, ghee, and spices. Slow cooking produces delicate, aromatic beef in this meal, making it irresistibly delicious and leaving you wanting more.
3. Madra
On our list of must-try foods is Madra, a Shimla staple that represents the region's rich cultural legacy. Madra curry is made with yogurt, a mixture of fragrant spices, cooked and soaked chickpeas, or kabuli chana. It is a flavorful and creamy curry. One must taste it if they are visiting Shimla; it is often served with roti or rice.
4. Tudkiya Bhath
A traditional rice meal from Himachal Pradesh, Tudkiya Bhath combines the benefits of lentils and rice with a blend of aromatic spices. Local veggies including potatoes, peas, and carrots are cooked in the meal along with a hefty dose of ghee and seasonings. The end product is a filling, flavorful one-pot supper that is healthy and fulfilling with every bite.
A touch of ghee, a blend of fresh spices, along with lentils gives the meal an appealing appearance and a unique flavor. A hearty and filling one-pot meal is produced as the rice absorbs the flavors of the veggies and seasonings.
To add even more tang and complexity to this meal, you can also eat it with a side of pickles or raita (a yogurt-based dip).
5. Aktori
Aktori is an iconic dish from Shimla and a unique Himachali pancake that will tantalize your taste buds with its own flavors. Potatoes are grated and combined with ghee, wheat flour, and spices to make a batter for the dish. The batter is then fried till crispy by spreading it out on a hot griddle. This meal is a favorite snack or breakfast choice among the natives, who eat it with a side of yogurt or chutney.
6. Babru
A well-known deep-fried snack in Shimla, Babru is great for those seeking a delicious and speedy meal. Baked till golden brown, Babru is made with a dough made of wheat flour and filled with a mixture of crushed and soaked black lentils, herbs, and spices. It complements its savory flavor with a tangy and refreshing aspect when served with tamarind or mint chutney.
To give a blast of flavors to every bite, Babru is typically served with either acidic tamarind chutney or refreshing mint chutney. This is a great little street food snack or you may have it with dinner.
7. Sepu Vadi
Shimla's traditional meal, Sepu Vadi, shows the region's variety of tastes. It comprises tangy curry cooked lentil dumplings, which are created with ground lentils, spinach, and spices. You'll be craving after seconds because the fragrant curry and the silky dumplings combine to produce a wonderful balance of textures and flavors.
Aktori is a favorite among both locals and visitors, offering a delicious combination of textures and flavors when served with a side of yogurt or chutney.
8. Gucchi Pulao
A dish that describes Shimla's wealth of flavors is Gucchi Pulao. Morel mushrooms are referred to as "gucchi" because of their earthy, nutty flavor. An elegant and aromatic dish that is frequently savored on special occasions is created when the mushrooms are prepared with aromatic basmati rice, flavorful herbs and spices, and ghee.
9. Tibetan momos
Trying the delicious Tibetan momos, which have become a mainstay of the Shimla culinary scene, is a must-do when visiting the area. These meat- or vegetable-filled dumplings are always a hit, whether they are steamed, fried, or served in a steaming hot soup. To taste the real tastes of these little treats, visit one of the numerous Tibetan restaurants in Shimla.
10. Thukpa
This spicy noodle soup, which may be made by mixing different vegetables and/or poultry, goes very well with the winter weather in the northern border area of India and Tibet. The traditional noodle soup called thukpa originates in the eastern part of Tibet. The people who live in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet are well-known for their unique interpretation of Amdo thukpa, which they refer to as thenthuk.
11. Mash daal
Though it sounds like bliss, we don't want to force you to eat the boring lentils we cook at home. That's why we brought this up. Speaking of Mash Daal, it's perfect for those who are missing their home-cooked meals or are worn out of the quick Shimla cuisine.
Mash daal, or askali dal as it is more often called, is made from split black lentils. This specific dal will warm your heart after soaking the beans overnight, boiling them under pressure, and then cooking them in a vessel with a heavy bottom while adding a stir of finely diced onions, ginger, and garlic that have been shallow fried in heated mustard oil.
12. Kukrej
When exploring the well-known cuisine of Shimla Mall Road, Kukrej is undoubtedly a must-try! You may think of it as seekh kebab or fish fingers to give you a clear description, but it is actually a completely vegetarian dish. They are served with mayonnaise, green chutney, and red chutney as accompaniments. It is definitely something you must try if you are ever in Shimla.
13. Anardana Chicken Himachali Style
A flavorful chicken meal from Himachal Pradesh called Anardana Chicken Himachali Style, or Pomegranate Chicken, is served. This is a must-try non-vegetarian Shimla cuisine that you shouldn't miss! The chicken is cooked in aromatic spices and dried pomegranate seeds, giving the meal a distinct flavor character that is tangy and acidic. It also has a pinkish-reddish color!
14. Kaale Chane ka Khatta
In the state of Himachal Pradesh, especially in the cities of Shimla and Manali, the pahadi dish known as Kaale Chane ka Khatta is usually consumed with rice and Madra.
To please a broad range of taste buds, the dish is prepared with a variety of spices and has a sour flavor. You only have to schedule some time in your trip itinerary to enjoy this delectable Shimla culinary specialty.
15. Kullu Trout Fish
Kullu Trout Fish is one of the delights that everyone should try, especially those who enjoy fish. The most famous cuisine to come out of the state of Himachal Pradesh is this incredible dish. It is prepared with a limited amount of spices to bring out the flavor of the trout and is eaten in the Kullu area. This meal is best enjoyed with boiled veggies, which is why it's regarded as one of Himachal Pradesh's healthiest dishes.
16. Himachali Dhaam
A full meal, Himachali Dhaam promises to provide a good quantity of different nutrients in addition to its excellent taste. Boor ki Kadi, rice, rajma, dal, and curd make up the dinner. Gur (jaggery) may or may not be served as an accompaniment. A dish called dhaam, which is customarily offered at all parties and festivals, is a platter heaped with delectable cuisine.
Conclusion
Shimla provides a culinary adventure alongside a visual feast because of its stunning scenery and rich cultural legacy. Shimla has a varied and exciting gastronomic scene, ranging from the classic, well-known dishes like Sidu and Madra to the delectable treats like Chha Gosht and Tudkiya Bhath.
To really appreciate the character of this little hill village, you must sample the local food. Thus, when you visit Shimla, make sure to sample the local specialties and go on a gastronomic journey to experience the sensations that make this place a food lover's dream come true.
