The thing is, Manali is famous for its landscapes and adventurous activities. However, what made the journey the best for me was actually the food. I did not know if it was the great mountain breeze or anything, but every bite tasted even better. Last time, when I visited, I thought I would give it my all to the local culture, just dive headfirst into the taste, really getting the true flavors of Himachal Pradesh. Ten of the best local dishes I tried in Manali and strictly recommend it to the visitors coming to this beautiful town.
Dham – A Feast for the Senses
The first word that came to my mind when I heard the word Dham is something like a mixed mess. Dham is a traditional Himachali meal prepared during festive seasons and other special occasions. It is a fully vegetarian.
That afternoon, I had the fortune to attend a local function, and there it was, an elaborative spread of rice, rajma (kidney beans), lentils and curd, all drenched in ghee and mild spices. The simplicity of the ingredients made every dish stand out.
It wasn’t just food; it was an experience, connecting me to the heart of Himachal’s traditions.
Sidu – The Perfect Snack
I fell in love with Sidu as one of the very first things that I would gorge in Manali. It is steamed bread made of wheat flour and the filling is a mouth-watering mixture of peas, green chilies and spices.
To accompany ghee or mutton curry, it is soft, warm and absolutely fulfilling. It is very convenient to eat as a snack at Manali, especially on a cold day.
Trout Fish – Caught straight from the river
Being a mountain town, Manali has some of the freshest trout fish you’ll ever taste. I headed to a small riverside café in Old Manali and they grilled the trout with a light seasoning of salt, pepper, and lemon.
The fish was tender, flaky, and super fresh. The chorus of water rushing past while we sat by the river while eating a perfectly cooked trout made that whole meal unforgettable.
Chana Madra – Delicate Curry
One night, I was introduced to Chana Madra at a small family run restaurant where I was dining. Chickpeas cooked in a gravy with spices in yogurt provide an earthy, tangy flavor that is just perfect for a long day of wandering.
With rice or roti, Chana Madra was my ‘grubby eating’ dish.
Babru – Crunchy Snack Item
If you are in the mood for something crispy and heavenly, try the Babru. Here it is a bread that gets stuffed with the black gram paste and deep fry it.
So, it is crispy outside and soft in the inside; however, it is to die for as I discovered my first taste of Babru while walking along Mall Road.
Thukpa – A Bowl of Warmth
Manali reminds me of something―the chilly mountain air. But what do you do when you are freezing? Look no further than a steaming bowl of Thukpa.
It’s Tibetan noodle soup with fresh vegetables and sometimes meat, which was savior that very night. And one day, I finally discovered a small Tibetan café in Old Manali serving a concoction of warm broth mixed with comforting noodles so that I will feel like I’m at home.
This dish is one which really lives up to the word “cozy” – mountain-style.
Bhey (Lotus Stem Curry) – A Find Indeed
I must confess, when I first saw Bhey on the menu, I was a bit apprehensive. It was lotus stems, which I had never tasted before.
So, I decided to take the plunge and am glad that I did so. The lotus stems were crunchy and sucked in all the spices beautifully. It was something I had never tasted before, and I craved it some other time during my trip.
Bhey is one other secret gem of Himachali cuisine you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
Mittha -The Sweet Taste
A sweet-tooth-satisfier after a heavy meal, Mittha is a traditional Himachali dessert made of rice flavored with dry fruits and raisins, all cooked in ghee.
I first tasted this at the house of a local family, as part of a homestay, so it was quite good. Not too sweetly done, it had a ghee richness that made it a perfect ending to the scrumptious meal.
Actors-A Festival Pancake
One of these times, I got to taste Aktori pancakes with buckwheat flour, which I had found at one of the local festivals I was attending.
This is a local dish usually cooked during celebrations, but some restaurants sell them throughout the year. It’s soft and slightly sweet, but it comes with honey as the drizzle. As I shared it with the locals for that instant, it felt like I was part of the crowd.
Chha Gosht – A Meat Lover’s Haven
Beef lovers will surely enjoy the outing of Chha Gosht as it is a typical Himachali mutton curry and cooked in yogurt-based gravy with a potpourri of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaves. I had this at a dhaba on the outskirts of Manali, and it has been one of the best mutton curries I ever tasted.
It was just tender, and a yogurt-based gravy with it makes it very rich and creamy so that it would have been great with both rice or naan.
Where to Find These Dishes
If you’re visiting Manali, you can find these dishes at various restaurants and dhabas. Some of my favorite places were:
Johnson’s Café
Sher-e-Punjab Dhaba
Renaissance Manali
Mall Road Street Stalls
Final Words
Manali offers much more than its breathtaking view and adventurous activities; it also is a food paradise. Every dish I tried was an extension of the region, so simple, comforting, yet full of heart.
On your next trip to Manali, don’t just ogle the views-but take in time to savor local dishes, it’s a tasty way to connect with culture and with memories long after you return home.
Bon appétit!