25 Sikkim Dishes You Must Try On Your Next Trip

Sikkim is a beautiful state in the Himalayan mountains of India. The food from this area is very special and delicious. On your next trip to Sikkim, you must try these 25 tasty foods to get the full experience. This blog post will tell you all about them!

1. Momos (₹80-₹200 per plate)
Momos are little steamed dumplings that are extremely popular in Sikkim. They have a savory filling of meat or vegetables inside a soft dough wrapping. Veggie momos are stuffed with cabbage, spinach, or paneer (fresh cheese). Non-veg momos have fillings like chicken, buff (water buffalo meat), or pork. They taste amazing when dipped in a spicy tomato or cheese sauce.

2. Gundruk (₹100-₹200 per plate)
This dish uses gundruk, which are fermented and dried radish or mustard greens. Gundruk is cooked with tomatoes, chilies, and spices to make a yummy vegetarian meal. It’s nutritious and part of Sikkim’s food traditions.

3. Sha Phaley (₹150-₹300 per plate)
Sha Phaley is fried bread stuffed with a tasty meat or veggie filling. The soft, fluffy bread surrounds a mix of minced meat, onions, and spices. For vegetarians, there are paneer or veggie fillings instead. It’s yummy with soup or salad.

4. Sikkimese Thukpa (₹150-₹300 per bowl)
Thukpa is a warm, comforting noodle soup from Sikkim. The broth contains meat or veggies, along with hand-pulled noodles and lots of spices. You can get chicken, beef, pork or vegetable versions.

5. Kinema (₹120-₹250 per plate)
Kinema is a unique Sikkimese food made from fermented soybeans. The fermentation gives it a tangy, earthy taste. It’s cooked with chilies, tomatoes and spices into a protein-packed meal.

6. Sikkimese Chicken Curry (₹200-₹400 per plate)
This chicken curry is packed with flavors from Sikkim. Tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich gravy made with spices, ginger, garlic and fresh herbs. Eat it with rice or Sikkimese bread.

7. Pang Phing (₹100-₹200 per plate)
Pang Phing are crispy fried bread rolls with a savory veggie or meat filling inside. The fillings have finely chopped veggies, meat and spices all mixed together.

8. Sikkimese Pork Curry (₹250-₹400 per plate)
Pork lovers must try this Sikkimese curry. Juicy pork is slow-cooked in a tasty gravy made with lots of spices, ginger, garlic and chilies. Eat it with rice or Sikkimese bread.

9. Chugo (₹100-₹200 per plate)
Chugo are savory veggie fritters made from rice flour batter with grated radish and spices. They’re great snacks, especially with a tangy dipping sauce.

10. Bhaley (₹80-₹150 per plate)
Bhaley are sweet, deep-fried doughnuts made from rice flour and jaggery (cane sugar). Some have fillings of khoa (milk solids) or coconut. Enjoy them warm with tea or coffee.

11. Phagshapa (₹150-₹300 per plate)
Phagshapa combines noodles with meat or veggies in a tasty broth. Tender chicken, beef or pork is cooked with hand-pulled noodles and veggies. The veggie version is delicious too.

12. Sel Roti (₹50-₹100 per piece)
These ring-shaped breads are a classic Sikkimese food. The bread is made from rice flour, milk and butter. Sel Roti tastes great with curries or as a snack with tea.

13. Achar (Pickle) (₹100-₹200 per jar)
No Sikkimese meal is complete without a tangy, spicy achar (pickle) on the side. Common ones use radish, tomato or bamboo shoot pickled with chilies and spices.

14. Sikkimese Meat Curry (₹250-₹400 per plate)
Meat lovers will enjoy this hearty curry with chicken, beef or pork cooked in a rich, spice-packed gravy of ginger, garlic and chilies. Serve it over rice or with bread.

15. Kachri (₹120-₹250 per plate)
This traditional vegetarian dish uses fermented radish or radish leaves called kachri. It’s tangy and full of flavor from being cooked with spices, chilies and sometimes potato.

16. Bamboo Shoot Curry (₹180-₹350 per plate)
Tender bamboo shoots are the star of this tasty Sikkimese curry. They simmer in a flavorful gravy made with spices, chilies and herbs. Scoop it over rice or bread.

17. Chhurpi (₹100-₹200 per serving)
Chhurpi is a special Sikkimese cheese made from churned, fermented yak or cow’s milk. It has a unique, tangy flavor. Enjoy it plain as a snack or used in dishes.

18. Sikkimese Mutton Curry (₹300-₹500 per plate)
Juicy mutton pieces are the star of this rich, robust curry flavored with spices, ginger, garlic and chilies. Eat it with rice or Sikkimese bread for a hearty meal.

19. Ningro (₹120-₹250 per plate)
Like kinema, ningro showcases Sikkim’s love of fermented foods. It uses fermented fiddlehead ferns cooked with spices and sometimes potato for extra flavor and nutrition.

20. Sikkimese Beef Curry (₹250-₹400 per plate)
Beef lovers shouldn’t miss this tasty Sikkimese curry. Tender beef slow-cooks in a gravy packed with aromatic spices, ginger, garlic and chilies. Delicious over rice or bread!

21. Sikkimese Dumplings (₹100-₹200 per plate)
Similar to momos, these tasty dumplings have meat or veggie fillings inside a dough wrapping. They can be steamed or fried, and come with a yummy dipping sauce.

22. Sikkimese Chili Pickle (₹120-₹250 per jar)
These extra spicy, tangy pickles made with various chilies and veggies like to add a kick of flavor to any Sikkimese dish. A little goes a long way!

23. Spinach Curry (₹150-₹300 per plate)
This is a delicious vegetarian curry using fresh, local spinach. The spinach is cooked in a tasty gravy loaded with spices, chilies and herbs. Pair it with rice or bread.

24. Sikkimese Yak Cheese (₹200-₹400 per serving)
Cheese made from hardy yaks is a local delicacy in Sikkim. Yak cheese has a very unique and distinct flavor compared to regular cheese. Try it plain or in dishes.

25. Sikkimese Fish Curry (₹250-₹400 per plate)
If you love seafood, don’t miss this tasty fish curry. Local fresh fish simmers in an aromatic gravy made with spices, ginger, garlic and chilies. Scooped over rice or bread, it’s so good!

On your next trip to the beautiful state of Sikkim, let your taste buds explore all these delicious local foods! From steaming hot curries to unique fermented dishes, the flavors of Sikkimese cuisine will dance on your tongue. Make sure to try plenty of vegetarian and meat-based dishes to get the full experience. Eating is one of the best ways to connect with this region’s rich culture and traditions. Don’t miss out on all these tasty must-try foods in Sikkim!

If you want to experience Sikkim at its fullest, My recommendation is to book a homestay in Sikkim and feel the authenticity.