14 Famous Food Of Manipur You Must Try In 2024

The northeastern state of Manipur is located in the eastern Himalayas and is characterised by its spectacular natural beauty, which includes hills, lush green valleys, and forests. Like the rest of India, this state has a long and storied history and is home to various people with diversified customs and traditions. Hinduism, Buddhism, and the traditional beliefs and practices of the Meitei community—who represent a majority of the state's population—come together in intriguing ways in Manipuri culture. In addition to Manipuri art and dance, the famous food of Manipur has also gained recognition on a global scale due to its particular flavour and sound.

Manipur is home to several indigenous tribes, each with its own distinct cuisine. Local ingredients and herbs, as well as the distinct cooking styles of the state's several tribes, give Manipuri cuisine its distinctive flavour. So, let’s read the list of famous foods of Manipur!

List Of Top 14 Famous Food Of Manipur 

Are you ready to try some amazing foods from Manipur? This place is known for spicy dishes with lots of chilli, rice, veggies, and fish. Whether you like spicy or sweet foods, this state has something special for you. Let’s check out Manipur's famous food that you really should taste!

So, without further ado, let's look at 14 famous food items of Manipur you absolutely must taste! 

• Alu Kangmet | A Mashed Potato Stir Fry Dish
• Eromba | The Ethnic Fish Cuisine of Manipur
• Nga-Thongba | Spicy Fish Stew With Vegetables
• Chagem Pomba | Fermented Soya With Mustard Leaves
• Singju |A Seasonal Manipuri Vegetable Salad Dish
• Chak-hao Kheer | An Enjoyable Serving of Black Rice Pudding
• Paknam | Steamed Fermented Fish Pancakes
• Peruk Kangsu | An Indigenous Manipuri Salad With Peruk
• Morok Metpa | A Fine And Flavourful Paste of Roasted Green Chillies
• Maroi Thongba | A Savoury Curry of Maroi Nakuppi Leaves
• Uti Thongba | A Spicy Colocasia Leaf Stew Dish
• Champhut | A Traditional Spicy Chutney
• Sana Thongba | A Creamy Paneer Gravy Dish
• Chamthong | A Hearty Bowl of Vegetable Stew

1. Alu Kangmet | A Mashed Potato Stir Fry Dish

Alu Kangmet is one of the famous dishes of Manipur. It is also one of the traditional foods of Manipur. Don't let the fancy name fool you. To prepare this dish, mashed potatoes are sautéed with red chile. Manipur-style Puri is its common companion. One can also enjoy it with rice. This healthy dish is delicious and easy to prepare!

2. Eromba | A Mash of Boiled Vegetables, Chillies, and Ngari

If you are passionate about seafood, the Eromba is ideal for you. The term "Eromba '' originates from the Manipuri phrase "eeru taana lonba," which means "mixing and stirring watery. Eromba is one of the traditional foods of Manipur and is typically prepared with a fermented fish dish known as "Ngari'' along with various vegetables. The dish is served hot and beautifully garnished with fresh coriander leaves, making it even more delicious.

3. Nga-Thongba | Spicy Fish Stew With Vegetables

Nga-Thongba is one of the famous foods from Manipur. It is a creamy curry of locally available freshwater fish, then cooked in a delectable blend of spices, herbs and vegetables. Usually, the delicacy is cooked in a clay pot and served with steamed rice. The fermented fish and other regional ingredients give Nga-Thongba its distinctive flavour. Both the native Manipuris and the country visitors love this meal.

4. Chagem Pomba | Fermented Soya With Mustard Leaves

In the long list of many ingredients that go into Chagem Pomba, a potpourri of Manipuri are mustard greens, fermented soybeans, smokey and sun-dried fish, rice, green peas, full leaves and dried shrimp. Though the sight and smell of this meal may not be a crowd-puller outside of those used to Manipuri cuisine and is an acquired taste by itself, it will be unforgettable to the next of kin.

5. Singju | A Seasonal Manipuri Vegetable Salad Dish

Singju is a healthy and traditional dish of Manipur. Tossed in a spicy dressing of roasted chillies, ngari (fermented fish), and other local spices, this salad features onions, tomatoes, finely chopped cabbage, lotus stems, and other vegetables. Singju is a very nice and popular street cuisine in Manipur, usually eaten as a side or snack. The salad is so easy to make but deliciously flavourful and crunchy.

Read More : Temples In Manipur

6. Chak-hao Kheer | An Enjoyable Serving of Black Rice Pudding

When one bites into a genuinely decadent dessert, joyous dancing ensues. The feeling one gets after eating a bowl of Chak-Hao Kheer is comparable. The black rice creates a striking and unusual purple tone for the meal. To make this thick and creamy rice pudding, the rice is boiled until tender, then combined with milk and sugar and simmered. Nuts are used as a garnish, and the dish can be served either warm or cold. The Manipuri dessert Chak-Hao Kheer has a long and storied history.

7. Paknam | Steamed Fermented Fish Pancakes

Manipur is renowned for its scrumptious Paknam, a traditional pancake made with chickpea flour, green vegetables, a mixture of herbs and spices, and fermented fish that is considered a staple in the region's cuisine. To eliminate the negative impacts of deep-frying, the batter is enclosed in banana leaves and steamed. Pairing a cup of a hot tea or coffee with some paknam makes for a delightful evening snack.

8. Peruk Kangsu | An Indigenous Manipuri Salad With Peruk

Peruk Kangsu is a popular traditional manipuri food that is widely enjoyed due to its unique taste and preparation. It is a form of salad prepared with Peruk, a herb used for medicinal purposes, boiled potatoes, white peas, and fermented fish chutney. This dish is often served as a side dish or an appetiser, and it goes well with other traditional Manipuri dishes like rice-based meals or stews.

9. Morok Metpa | A Fine And Flavourful Paste of Roasted Green Chillies

Morok Metpa is among the unique and flavorful Manipur dishes. Green chillies are roasted over an open flame, then smashed into a paste with salt and chopped onions using a mortar and pestle. Tomatoes, garlic, and coriander leave all contribute to the dish's depth of flavour. This paste is commonly eaten with rice, bread, or other main foods. Different chillies or spice combinations can be used to adjust the heat and flavour of Morok Metpa to suit individual preferences.

10. Maroi Thongba | A Healthy Curry of Maroi Nakuppi Leaves

Maroi Thongba is a vegetarian dish unique to the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The leaves and stems of the Maroi Nakuppi plant (which have a flavour resembling mustard greens) are used to make a delicious curry when simmered in a broth with onions, garlic, ginger, and other spices. This dish is served with steaming rice and garnished with fresh coriander leaves. Maroi thongba is seen as a healthy meal because it has many vitamins and minerals.

Read More : Famous Festival Of Manipur

11. Uti Thongba | A Spicy Colocasia Leaf Stew Dish

Uti thongba is a Manipur traditional food. Colocasia (taro) stems and leaves are cooked in a spicy broth with onions, garlic, ginger, and green chillies to create a flavorful curry. Uti thongba is normally served with hot rice or Manipuri bread. As a garnish, fresh coriander leaves are a great option. Many people in Manipur and elsewhere enjoy eating it since it is nutritious and delicious.

12. Champhut | A Traditional Spicy Chutney

Champhut is the fieriest and most flavourful chutney. It is Manipur's special food, famously known as "A-nganba". Green chillies, ginger, and garlic are minced with roasted or boiled vegetables like eggplant, tomato, or potato in a mortar and pestle. The flavour can be improved by adding salt and spices like coriander and cumin. Typically, a-nganba is offered as an accompaniment to rice or another main dish. Many people like this renowned Manipuri condiment's fiery and sour flavour.

13. Sana Thongba | A Creamy Paneer Gravy Dish

Sana Thongba is the famous food of Manipur. This vegetarian meal is made with paneer cubes and Indian cottage cheese. The paneer is cooked in a creamy sauce made of sauteed onions, ginger, garlic, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilli peppers are often used as a finishing touch before serving. It is often served with Manipuri bread or steamed rice. Many people in Manipur and beyond appreciate its wholesomeness and deliciousness.

14. Chamthong | A Hearty Bowl of Vegetable Stew

The Indian state of Manipur is known for its traditional vegetable stew, chamthong. Green and other seasonal vegetables are simmered in a broth with onion, garlic, ginger, and other aromatic spices to create this healthy and nourishing dish. The stew also contains lentils or pork. Garnished with fresh coriander leaves, Chamthong is served with steamed rice or Manipuri bread. This popular dish of Manipur is appreciated for its robust flavour and rich texture.

Are you looking forward to trying any popular Manipuri dishes mentioned above? If so, make your bookings with Adotrip now and embark on a flavorful and delicious journey through Manipuri cuisine during your stay in Manipur.

Read More: Places To Visit In Manipur

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Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Cuisine Of Manipur

Q1. What are some popular dishes of Manipur?
A1. Manipur is a northeastern state in India known for its rich cultural heritage and unique cuisine. Some popular dishes of Manipur are Chamthong, Eromba, Chak-hao kheer, and Chagem Pomba.

Q2. What are some traditional snacks or street foods in Manipur?
A2. Manipur's snacks and street cuisines showcase the region's flavours and ingredients. Some traditional snacks of Manipur are Paknam, Singju, Kabok, Ngari and Paknam.

Q3. What are some traditional drinks of Manipur?
A3. Oolong tea, Yu, Utongba, and Sekmai Yu are some of the traditional beverages found in Manipur.

Q4. What are some traditional sweets of Manipur?
A4. If you're a local or a visitor, you must try Manipur's numerous delectable traditional sweets. Among the much-loved traditional desserts of Manipur are Chak-hao kheer, Chamthong payasam, Hap chai and Pitha.

Q5. What are some must-try cuisine when in Manipur?
A5. When visiting Manipur, you must eat its various delicious dishes. Some signature dishes are Ngari Eromba, Sana Thongb, Champhut, Maroi Thongba, Morok Metpa, and Paaknam.

Q6. What are the 10 famous foods of Manipur?
A6. Here is a list of the 10 famous food of Manipur:

• Eromba - A flavorful dish made with boiled vegetables mashed with chillies and fermented fish.
• Singju - A popular Manipuri salad made from finely chopped vegetables, beans, and herbs, seasoned with fiery chillies and fermented fish.
• Chamthong or Kangshoi - A soothing vegetable stew flavored with maroi (a local herb) and served with fish or meat.
• Nga Thongba - Fish curry made with aromatic herbs and spices, a staple among the 10 famous food of Manipur.
• Paknam - A savory pancake made from chickpea flour, vegetables, and smoked fish, grilled inside banana leaves.
• Ooti - A traditional Manipuri vegetarian dish made predominantly from peas and seasoned with Manipuri herbs.
• Morok Metpa - A chutney made from roasted or boiled chillies mashed with salt and fermented fish.
• Chakhao Kheer - A sweet pudding made from black rice, milk, sugar, and cardamom, showcasing the unique agricultural produce of Manipur.
• Alu Kangmet - It contains Mashed potatoes seasoned with fried red chillies, salt, and mustard oil, a simple yet beloved dish.
• Kelli Chana - A tangy snack made from chickpeas, it's flavored with various spices and typically found on the streets of Imphal.