Cuisine & Must Try Dishes

Traditional Naga Cuisine

Nagaland’s cuisine is bold, flavorful, and deeply rooted in tribal traditions. Known for its use of smoked meats, bamboo shoots, fermented ingredients, and fiery chilies, Naga food is a unique culinary experience. Here are some must-try dishes when visiting Nagaland:

1. Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoot

• One of the most famous Naga dishes, loved for its smoky, rich, and spicy flavors.
• Made with slow-smoked pork, bamboo shoots, dry red chilies, and local herbs.
• Often cooked with Axone (fermented soybeans) for extra depth of flavor.

 Where to Try? Local kitchens, Naga homestays, and restaurants in Kohima & Dimapur.

2. Axone (Fermented Soybean Dish)

• A staple ingredient in Naga cuisine, used in both vegetarian and meat dishes.
• Has a strong umami flavor, often mixed with pork, chicken, or vegetables.
• Comes in different forms – paste, dry powder, or fermented beans.

 Where to Try? Found in traditional Naga households and served in festivals.

3. Anishi (Fermented Yam Leaf Curry)

• A signature dish of the Ao Naga tribe, made with fermented yam leaves.
• Cooked with smoked meat or dried fish for a rich and earthy flavor.
• A traditional comfort food in Nagaland.

 Where to Try? Mokokchung & Ao tribal villages.

4. Galho (Naga-Style Khichdi)

• A wholesome one-pot meal made with rice, vegetables, and meat (or without for a veg option).
• Cooked with Axone (fermented soybean) for extra flavor.
• Similar to khichdi but with a unique Naga twist.

 Where to Try? Street stalls and Naga homes.

5. Bamboo Shoot Curry

• A flavorful dish made with fresh or fermented bamboo shoots and cooked with either pork, chicken, or fish.
• The bamboo shoot gives a distinct tangy and earthy taste.
• A common side dish in Naga meals.

 Where to Try? Traditional kitchens and local restaurants.

6. Naga-Style Fish Cooked in Bamboo

• Fish is marinated with herbs, wrapped in bamboo, and slow-cooked over a fire.
• Gives a unique smoky and woody flavor.
• A must-try for seafood lovers.

 Where to Try? Tribal villages and local eateries in Wokha & Mon.

7. Akini Chokibo (Snail with Perilla Seeds)

• A special delicacy, made with local snails and roasted perilla seeds.
• Perilla seeds add a nutty and rich flavor.
• A traditional dish from the Sumi Naga tribe.

 Where to Try? Sumi villages and special Naga feasts.

8. Bushmeat & Exotic Meats

• Naga cuisine includes varieties of wild meats like venison, frog, snail, and even insects.
• Typically smoked, roasted, or stewed for hours to enhance flavor.
• Not commonly available in restaurants but can be experienced in local tribal villages.

Where to Try? Rural Naga homes & special tribal festivals.

9. Bohu (Sticky Rice Cake)

• A sweet Naga delicacy, made from sticky rice and sugarcane juice.
• Soft, chewy, and often wrapped in banana leaves.
• A popular festival dessert.

 Where to Try? Hornbill Festival or Naga kitchens.

10. Naga Rice Beer (Zutho)

• A traditional fermented rice beer, mildly alcoholic and slightly tangy.
• A key part of Naga social gatherings and festivals.
• Usually served in bamboo cups.

 Where to Try? Naga homes and during festivals like Hornbill Festival & Moatsu Festival.