Travel To Manipur

Manipur Maps

Cuisine in manipur
Manipur tucked away between seven rolling hills girdled by flowing rivers in the northeast of India is known as the jewel of the land. It is the dancing ground of the gods.

A visit to Manipur cannot be said to be complete without tasting the local cuisine. The land of fish, meat and vegetables, rice and molasses has many cards on the menu, including the special local drink called shekmai prepared in a village of that name.

Traditions and Trends:
Like other parts of India traditionally food was eaten sitting on the floor off banana leaf plates. The habit still continues especially with the growing idea that this posture is good for digestion. The Vaishnavites of Manipur are pure vegetarians and their delicacies can be tasted at Sri Govindajee

Temple. Previous notification has to be given. As many as 52 items are offered to Lord Vishnu. For the Rath Yatra or chariot festival special items are available.

There are many good eateries and for the best of the cuisine of Manipur one can knock at Hotel Excellency near the airport, Hotel Nirmala on M. G. Avenue or Hotel Prince at Thangal Bazaar. The food and service are both commendable.

The Menu Card
Among the local delicacies are kangsoi prepared from vegetables and dried fish. Kobok is a dessert consisting of roasted rice mixed with molasses. Iromba is a fish preparation made with bamboo shoots and other local vegetables. Bamboo shoot fry is cooked with tender shoots cut into pieces and mixed with baking soda and salt. These are fried with fenugreek and chilli seeds on a low heat with a sprinkling of water.

The Koat pitha are sweet fried balls from a batter of mashed bananas, jaggery and rice flour. Misa Mach Poora consists shelled shrimps, onion, coriander leaves, lime juice, pepper corn and turmeric with salt to taste. The cooking needs skill as the mixture is rolled in banana leaves after preparation and then roasted on charcoal fire. Lentil and eggs is another favourite. Three types of lentils are cooked after being fried with onions. It is served with pieces of boiled eggs.

There is a duck preparation known as Poora Haah. Bread, onion, lime juice and coriander leaves and potato cubes are used. The duck is marinated, mixed with the mixture with egg as a binding and then slowly roasted over charcoal fire. Other delicacies are fish fried rice, noodle preparation and vegetables made with five spices.

One has to eat to taste the wonder of Manipur cuisine.