Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Bongaigaon, one of Assam’s fast-growing cities, offers a unique mix of traditional Assamese cuisine, Bodo tribal flavors, and a lively shopping scene. Whether you're looking for authentic Assamese food, traditional silk, bamboo handicrafts, or premium Assam tea, here’s a complete guide to food and shopping in Bongaigaon.

 Food in Bongaigaon

1️ Must-Try Assamese & Tribal Dishes

Bongaigaon’s food culture is influenced by Assamese, Bodo, and Koch-Rajbongshi traditions.

 Traditional Dishes to Try:
✅ Masor Tenga – A tangy Assamese fish curry made with tomatoes and lemon.
✅ Pork with Bamboo Shoot – A traditional dish from the Bodo tribe.
✅ Duck Meat Curry – A special delicacy in Assam, often cooked with ash gourd.
✅ Aloo Pitika – Mashed potatoes with mustard oil and onions.
✅ Khar (Alkaline Dish) – A traditional Assamese dish made with raw papaya and banana peel.
✅ Pithas – Assamese-style rice cakes made with coconut, jaggery, and sesame seeds.
✅ Rice Beer (Zu Mai/Apong) – A traditional Bodo and tribal fermented rice drink.

 Beverages to Try:
✅ Assam Tea – Best enjoyed fresh from nearby tea plantations.
✅ Jolpan – A traditional Assamese breakfast of puffed rice, curd, and jaggery.

2️ Best Places to Eat in Bongaigaon

 Traditional Assamese Restaurants

 Rang Ghar Restaurant (Bongaigaon Town) – Known for Assamese thalis, Masor Tenga, and duck curry.
 Heritage Dhaba (Dhaligaon) – Serves local fish, bamboo shoot pork, and Assamese thalis.
 Khorika (New Bongaigaon) – Specializes in grilled meats and tribal dishes.

 Street Food Hotspots

 Bongaigaon Market – Try momos, chaat, fish fry, and samosas from local vendors.
 GNB Road Night Market – Popular for pani puri, rolls, and fried snacks.

 Multi-Cuisine & Cafés

 Cafe Hub (Bongaigaon Town) – Great for coffee, pastries, and continental dishes.
 City Centre Restaurant (New Bongaigaon) – Offers Chinese, North Indian, and Assamese dishes.
 Hotel Shikhar Restaurant (Near Railway Station) – A fine-dining restaurant with diverse cuisine options.

 Bakeries & Desserts

 Sunshine Bakery (GNB Road) – Popular for cakes, pastries, and bakery items.
 Madhuban Sweets (Bongaigaon Market) – The best place for Assamese sweets like Narikol Laru & Til Pitha.

 Shopping in Bongaigaon

Bongaigaon is a major shopping center in Lower Assam, offering handwoven textiles, silk, fresh Assam tea, and bamboo handicrafts.

1️ Best Shopping Markets & Malls

 Traditional & Local Markets

 Bongaigaon Bazaar – The largest market, best for clothes, accessories, and electronics.
 New Bongaigaon Market – Known for handloom products and Assamese souvenirs.
 Dhaligaon Market – Ideal for spices, handicrafts, and home essentials.
 Kokrajhar Market (Nearby) – Great for Bodo tribal handicrafts and traditional textiles.

 Shopping Malls in Bongaigaon

 Bongaigaon City Centre Mall (GNB Road) – Offers branded shopping, electronics, and restaurants.
 Big Bazaar (Bongaigaon Town) – Best for daily essentials and clothing.

2️ What to Buy in Bongaigaon?

 Assam Tea

Bongaigaon is close to tea estates, making it a great place to buy premium Assam Tea.
 Best Places to Buy Assam Tea:
✅ Bongaigaon Tea Traders (Bongaigaon Bazaar) – Various local tea brands available.
✅ Dhaligaon Tea Estate Outlet – Freshly processed Assam Orthodox & CTC tea.
✅ Manas Tea Estate (Near Manas National Park) – One of Assam’s best organic tea brands.

 Assamese Handloom (Mekhela Chador & Traditional Textiles)

Bongaigaon is famous for its handwoven Mekhela Chador and Assam silk fabrics.
 Best Places to Buy Handloom Products:
✅ Assam Handloom Emporium (New Bongaigaon Market) – Authentic Mekhela Chador and cotton sarees.
✅ Weavers’ Cooperative Society (Bongaigaon Bazaar) – Best for Muga and Eri silk.
✅ Bodo Handloom Stalls (Kokrajhar Market) – Traditional Bodo shawls and textiles.

 Bamboo & Cane Handicrafts

Bongaigaon has a rich tradition of bamboo and cane crafts, perfect for souvenirs.
 Where to Buy Handicrafts?
✅ Dhaligaon Market – Best for bamboo and cane home décor.
✅ Assam Handicrafts Emporium (Bongaigaon Town) – Handmade Assamese jewelry and crafts.

3️ Shopping Tips for Bongaigaon

✅ Bargain in local markets like Bongaigaon Bazaar and New Bongaigaon Market for better prices.
✅ Buy tea from estate outlets rather than local street vendors for premium quality.
✅ For silk shopping, visit government-certified handloom stores to ensure authenticity.
✅ Try local snacks while shopping – most markets have excellent street food stalls.

 Why Visit Bongaigaon for Food & Shopping?

✔️ Authentic Assamese and tribal cuisine with local flavors.
✔️ Best place to buy high-quality Assam tea directly from tea estates.
✔️ Unique handwoven Mekhela Chador and bamboo handicrafts.
✔️ Affordable local markets with a variety of traditional products.

Bongaigaon offers a perfect mix of delicious food and vibrant shopping, making it a great place for food lovers and shopaholics alike!