Ladakhi cuisine is healthy and tasty as its cuisine is mainly based on the availability of flora and fauna in this high altitude desert. Fresh vegetables and meat from agricultural products are used in their diet. The terrain, ecosystem, lifestyle and agriculture are very unique to this region and the Ladakhi people have adapted for centuries to their land and resources. Limited connectivity to the outside world during harsh winters has led to self-sufficient methods of using available resources to thrive.
Mainly potatoes, squash, beets and beans are cooked with mild spices and accompanied with lamb and chicken dishes. The staple foods of the Ladakhi people are Sku and Thukpa (made from wheat flour), Pava (made from sattu) and Khambir (local bread). Dried fruits (walnuts, almonds, and raisins), spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, chili, and dried ginger, etc.) are widely used in Ladakhi cuisine. The perfect blend of the vegetables or meats cooked together with these spices creates an irresistible aroma that instantly draws you in to try the food to suit your dining needs.
Thukpa, a thick soup with vegetables and noodles, is very popular with tourists. Hot and steamy Momos (meatballs) filled with meat or vegetables are served with a spicy sauce to create a contrast of flavors and is one of the most satisfying meals, especially in cold weather. Another favorite in this region is freshly baked breads, there are many lovely bakeries and they serve a variety of baked goods. A must is the apricot jam, the fresh taste of the abundant fruit available is a delight with some bread and a hot cup of tea.
There are many restaurants in Ladakh offering Tibetan, Korean and Chinese cuisine. In recent years, the surge of tourists has resulted in the emergence of new restaurants serving continental, Mediterranean and Indian delicacies. Ladakh is home to ‘Wazawan’ like other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Wazawan combines meat dishes with preparations of dum aloo and chaman, sag korma, saag (hak), lotus root and apricot jam and is a must for meat lovers.
Non-vegetarians can stuff themselves with thukpa (noodles cooked in mutton/chicken soup), Skieu (made with vegetables, mutton and flour), Yakhni and Tabaq Naat (made with fried ribs). The special Gurgur tea in this snowy desert is famous and is made with yak milk and special spices.
For any passionate traveler, one of the greatest thrills of exploring a new place is trying the food. The food is always a reflection of the place and its people. Ladakhi food reflects the simplicity of its people and the beauty of this land. The food is sumptuous and very tasty and the best thing is that all these dishes are healthy.