Cuisine & Must Try Dishes

Traditional Khasi & Garo Cuisine

Meghalaya’s Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes have a rich culinary tradition that is deeply rooted in organic farming, forest produce, and unique cooking techniques. Khasi food is mildly spiced, with an emphasis on fermented ingredients, while Garo cuisine is hearty, with smoked meats and bamboo-based dishes.

Here are some must-try traditional dishes from Meghalaya:

 Khasi Cuisine – Mild, Smoky & Rich in Rice-Based Dishes

1. Jadoh – Khasi-Style Biryani

 What is it?
✅ Meghalaya’s most famous dish, similar to biryani but cooked Khasi-style.
✅ Made with red rice, pork, onions, turmeric & local spices.
✅ Can also be made with chicken (Jadoh Snam) or fish.

 Best Place to Try: Shillong street stalls & traditional Khasi kitchens.

2. Doh Khlieh – Khasi Meat Salad

 What is it?
✅ A spicy pork salad made with onions, green chilies & ginger.
✅ Sometimes mixed with boiled beans, rice & fermented soybeans.

 Best Place to Try: Traditional Khasi eateries in Shillong.

3. Tungrymbai – Fermented Soybean Delicacy

 What is it?
✅ A thick stew made from fermented soybeans, pork fat, ginger, garlic & black sesame seeds.
✅ Has a strong, tangy flavor due to the fermentation process.

 Best Place to Try: Local Khasi homes & rural kitchens.

4. Pumaloi – Steamed Rice Cake

 What is it?
✅ A soft, steamed rice cake, usually eaten for breakfast or snacks.
✅ Cooked using special earthen pots (khiew rhai).

 Best Place to Try: Meghalaya’s rural villages.

5. Doh Neiiong – Black Sesame Pork Curry

 What is it?
✅ A rich & aromatic pork dish, cooked with black sesame seeds, ginger, garlic & mustard oil.
✅ Has a nutty, smoky flavor.

 Best Place to Try: Khasi kitchens in Shillong & Cherrapunji.

 Garo Cuisine – Hearty, Spicy & Packed with Smoked Meats

6. Nakham Bitchi – Garo Smoked Fish Soup

 What is it?
✅ A spicy broth made with dried fish (Nakham), chilies & vegetables.
✅ Served as a starter or to aid digestion after heavy meals.

 Best Place to Try: Garo Hills home kitchens.

7. Sakin Gata – Garo Sticky Rice Cake

 What is it?
✅ A sweet rice cake made from sticky white rice, coconut, and sugar.
✅ Traditionally steamed in banana leaves.

 Best Place to Try: Tura & West Garo Hills.

8. Wak Pura – Garo Pork with Rice Flour

 What is it?
✅ A slow-cooked pork dish flavored with crushed rice powder & indigenous spices.
✅ Known for its rich, earthy taste.

 Best Place to Try: Garo Hills kitchens & local food festivals.

9. Wak Ting’Pang – Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoots

 What is it?
✅ A Garo delicacy, made with smoked pork, bamboo shoots & chilies.
✅ Cooked slowly to enhance its smoky & spicy flavors.

 Best Place to Try: Garo homes & village feasts.

 Meghalaya’s Traditional Beverages & Side Dishes

10. Kyat – Local Rice Beer

 What is it?
✅ A traditional fermented rice beer, widely consumed during Khasi & Garo festivals.

 Best Place to Try: Khasi tribal villages & cultural events.

11. Doh Shain – Khasi Smoked Meat

 What is it?
✅ Smoked beef or pork, aged over a woodfire for weeks to enhance its rich flavors.

 Best Place to Try: Traditional Khasi meat shops.

12. Bamboo Shoot Pickles & Fermented Delicacies

✅ Meghalaya is famous for its pickled bamboo shoots, fermented mushrooms & wild herbs.
✅ Often eaten as side dishes with rice & meat.

Best Place to Try: Local markets in Shillong & Jaintia Hills.