Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

While Jorethang is a small town, it offers an authentic slice of Sikkimese life through its humble food stalls, local eateries, and lively markets. From flavorful street food to woolen goods, Himalayan herbs, and regional produce — it’s a great place to eat like a local and shop like one too.

 Must-Try Foods in Jorethang

 1. Momos (Dumplings)

• The all-time Himalayan classic — available with veg, chicken, pork, or cheese fillings.
• Served with a spicy, garlicky red chutney that locals love.
   Try at:
  ✔️ Local momo stalls near the bazaar and taxi stand
  ✔️ Momo Point near Maghey Mela Ground

 2. Thukpa & Wai-Wai Soup

• Thukpa: A hearty noodle soup with vegetables or meat
• Also popular: Wai-Wai noodles cooked as street-style soup with onions, spices, and herbs
   Available at:
  ✔️ Street-side eateries & tea stalls in the market
  ✔️ Everest Fast Food (if open)

 3. Sel Roti & Alu Dum

• A traditional ring-shaped fried rice bread often served during festivals and fairs
• Pair it with spicy alu dum or black gram curry for a local snack
   Best during:
  ✔️ Morning hours in the local market
  ✔️ Maghey Sankranti Mela food stalls (January)

 4. Sikkimese Meal (Local Thali)

• Try a homestyle dal-bhaat-tarkari (lentil, rice, and veggie curry)
• Often includes:
  ✅ Gundruk (fermented greens)
  ✅ Chhurpi (hard yak cheese)
  ✅ Saag, bamboo shoot curry, and homemade pickle

 Try at:
✔️ Simple local eateries or lodges that offer lunch meals
✔️ Ask your hotel to serve a traditional veg thali

 5. Local Sweets & Bakery Treats

• Try homemade fruit cakes, pastries, and buns from small bakeries
• In winter, you’ll also find sweet rice puff laddus, chikki, and orange-based sweets

 Try at:
✔️ Rural sweet vendors near the riverbank
✔️ Temporary sweet stalls during weekly markets or festivals

 What to Buy in Jorethang

 1. Hand-knitted Woollens & Winter Wear

• Locally made shawls, mufflers, gloves, sweaters, and beanies
• Often sold by women vendors from nearby villages during market days

 Best at:
✔️ Main Bazaar Road (weekly haat on Saturdays)
✔️ Stalls near the taxi stand and river bridge

 2. Himalayan Herbs, Teas & Spices

• Pick up packets of:
  ✅ Locally grown black & green tea
  ✅ Dalle Khursani (fiery red chili)
  ✅ Timur (Sichuan pepper)
  ✅ Tibetan salt, wild honey, dry ginger

 Look for:
✔️ Tea & spice stalls in the market
✔️ Shops with handmade labels or local branding

 3. Pickles, Snacks & Local Produce

• Tangy and spicy pickles made from bamboo shoot, radish, chili, or lapsi (hog plum)
• Dried fruit snacks, churpi (yak cheese cubes), and roasted rice

 Buy from:
✔️ Farmers and home-sellers during morning hours
✔️ Seasonal stalls during the Maghey Mela

 4. Handicrafts & Everyday Utility Goods

• Though not a craft hub like Gangtok or Namchi, you’ll find:
  ✅ Small prayer flags
  ✅ Bead jewelry, hairbands, caps
  ✅ Wooden combs, cane baskets, incense sticks

 At:
✔️ Jorethang Bazaar
✔️ Mela Ground during festival fairs

 Shopping Spots in Jorethang

✅ Food & Shopping Tips

✔️ Morning is best for local produce, sweets, and snacks
✔️ Carry cash or UPI – most vendors don’t accept cards
✔️ Try small quantities of pickles or snacks before buying large packs
✔️ Talk to vendors — they often have interesting stories or suggestions
✔️ During Maghey Sankranti Mela (January), shopping and food stalls expand tenfold