10 local foods that you must eat when in Dharamshala

Known to be a cultural and spiritual abode, Dharamshala is a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh whose beauty and serenity has attracted many tourists from all over the world. It is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture in the form of the diaspora, architecture, Buddhism, and cuisine. While the hills and abundant spiritual centers in Dharamsala are attractive enough to beckon visitors, the food plays a major part in making one’s stay better and more wholesome. With that being said, here are 10 local foods that you must eat when in Dharamshala. (Image: Instagram/dharamshalalocal)

Essentially a higher altitude variant of the more traditional pulao, Tudkiya Bhat is a traditional Himachali dish. It is prepared with ingredients like potatoes, garlic, onions, ginger, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaves lend it its signature flavour. (Image: Instagram/sandysfoodtrails)

Borrowed from the Tibetan cuisine, Thukpa is one of the most popular Tibetan foods, and is a staple in many households in Tibet as well as Dharamshala. It is a noodle soup that is served with a number of ingredients, most commonly meat.

A chicken dish prepared in gravy, Shapta has a rich flavour as a result of being prepared in chilli and ginger. It is traditionally eaten with bao (bread dumpling) or tingmo (steamed bun), though in Dharamshala people eat it with rice or roti. (Image: Instagram/teasturmericandspices)

Momos are a type of dumpling that is popular all over India. In Dharamshala, the preparation is influenced by Tibetan styles and flavours, therefore they are different than the momos you might be used to eating.

The name says it all - rice that has been sweetened makes for this traditional dessert. It is sweetened with jaggery or sugar, and is garnished with dried fruits and raisins. (Image: Instagram/pipingpotcurry)

This one may not be particularly local, but let’s admit it, a bowl of steaming Maggi and a cup of hot tea makes for the perfect hill station meal. (Image: Instagram/thechirpychubby)

An integral part of the Himachali cuisine, Dham is a dish that is prepared with rajma, moong dal, yogurt, and rice. It is served with kali dal and imli chutney. (Image/himachali_vibes)

Pizzas are traditionally made in brick ovens, but in Dharamshala they are prepared in clay ovens, which gave a more earthy, smoky, and altogether enhanced flavour to the pizza. (Image: Instagram/sticksandstonesclayoven)

Native to the Bhagsunag region of McLeodganj, Bhagsu cake is a three tier cake that is made with cookies in the bottom layer, caramel in the middle layer, and chocolate on the top layer. (Image: Instagram/ashplores)

Alu Phing Sha is a Tibetan noodles recipe that is prepared with mung bean noodles, potato, and tender mutton, and is served with tingmo. (Image: Instagram/mostprobably_human )