Cuisines of Shillong

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is known as one of the most exotic places in northeast India. Travellers are attracted by the capital’s natural beauty, musical culture, and the delectable Khasi food in Shillong.

The food of Shillong has a unique touch. Pork and beef, which is often rare in other parts of the subcontinent, takes the centre stage here. The most common and popular dishes prepared here include succulent, slow-cooked chicken with a handful of garden-fresh chillies, herbs and bamboo shoots served with steaming hot rice! It is the best food in Shillong that keeps you warm in the misty, cloudy weather on the hillside. Grilled and smoked meat, as well as sausages are popular delicacies. Do not forget to taste a plate of steaming hot momos in this city where it is much of a staple.

The hill station's cuisine is predominantly influenced by Khashi, Jaintia and Garo tribes. On the street stalls of Meghalaya, the women cook the best vegetarian food in Shillong with freshly cut vegetables from the mountains, spiced up with fiery ‘ghost chillies’ or exotic green herbs. If you take a walk through Bura Bazaar or Police Bazaar, you will find Khasi women in their traditional garb, selling pineapples, pears, and apples in small roadside stalls. They will cut big chunks of pineapples and dip it in their secret sauce of chillies and salt for you to taste, which is one of the must-try delicacies in Shillong.

As the former capital of Assam, Shillong’s cuisine is subtly influenced by Assamese and Bengali cooking styles. Chow-chow, cutlets, rolls and burgers are immensely popular here as is the Khasi Vegetarian Thali. You can visit Ginger and Sky Grill at Polo Towers, Shillong, to enjoy pan-Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, as well as the unique regional delicacies. You can also visit restaurants like City Hut Family Dhaba, Lamee Restaurant, or The Madras Cafe if you are looking for traditional preparations.

Travellers can also take a trip to some of the more urbanised restaurants like Qzine, Trattoria, Dylan’s Cage, Deja Vu, Ginger, and The Shillong Cafe. But if you are looking for Khasi food in Shillong or authentic Meghalayan food, you can stop by at many places along the streets. These shops, set up by the locals, serve the best food, and give you a taste of the city’s unique culture and identity.