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The capital of Meghalaya, the gorgeous hill station Shillong is a haven for vacationers who are looking to get away from their bustling cities with its grime and pollution. A huge part of what makes a place tick is its food and in Shillong it is more so as it’s the only urban area in Meghalaya where other tribes converge, and which is actually recognised as a meeting point. Food therefore plays a huge role in shaping the culture of the place and Shillong food in particular acts as a great leveller, bringing various people together. What’s interesting is that there are many new things to explore as food in the north east has not been explored that much before and hence, there are certainly some interesting things that you will get to try.
There are a variety of cuisines here – the rich local customs, north Indian and Chinese to name a few and consequently a huge number of places to eat in Shillong. At the same time, you can have a tasty meal without busting your wallet because some of the best food in Shillong can be found on the streets in the many food stalls. Here’s a look at some of the famous food in Shillong you should try and where you can eat it.
One of the most famous dishes in Shillong is Tungrymbai which is made using fermented soya beans. This is unique to the north east and it is often eaten with bread or roti. You can find some delicious Tungrymbai in most street stalls and markets in Shillong.
A signature dish of Shillong is Jadoh with pork curry. Jadoh is a sort of sticky rice made from local short grained rice. The rice and pork are both marinated in spices, sautéed and then boiled which gives it a sticky consistency and texture. One of the restaurants in Shillong where you can try Jadoh is Trattoria in Police Bazaar. Trattoria has a cult following among those who enjoy the local Khasi food. Expect to find crowds here as Trattoria doesn’t have a menu and they cook and serve whatever they have, which the people seem to love immensely.
Indo-Chinese food is really popular here and almost all the best restaurants in Shillong will serve chilli pork. While most street stalls have chilli pork on their menus, you can try it at Sao Aiom too, which looks out over the Umiam Lake. Guests can enjoy the lovely views as well as their delicious food such as smoked pork with bamboo shoots or fried rice with turmeric.
While not typically Shillong food, you will find this in most eateries here. Bastenga is from neighbouring Nagaland, a steamed chicken curry cooked with fermented bamboo shoots and it uses the famous Bhoot Jholokia chillies which are said to be the fieriest chillies in the world. Served with brown rice, this can be found in Cafe Shillong in Laitumkhrah. Do be mindful of the spice levels as this is not for someone who cannot tolerate very spicy dishes!
Most restaurants in Shillong will serve Shillong Fried Rice and Chilly Chicken which is a delicious combination that will have you begging for more. One of the best places to enjoy this is in Café Shillong Heritage near Tripura Castle. The café is a lovely touch with its great music and if you want to sit outside and eat, there’s al fresco seating too. The fried rice here is everything it should be – flavourful with a little bit of crunch from the vegetables.
With all that spice that you are ingesting, there’s no way you can resist the piping hot jalebis from Delhi Mishtann Bhandar in Police Bazaar although chances are you will come across in this in several other stalls as well. However, Delhi Mishtann Bhandar did make it to the Limca Book of Records in 2008 for frying the largest jalebi!
It’s quite impossible to come to the north east and not enjoy the famous momos. Often served with a spicy sauce made with chillies and vinegar, these are found everywhere in Shillong. Locals and visitors love the pork and chicken momos but if you want to try them in a proper restaurant, then a good option would be to go to La Galerie at the posh Centre Point hotel. This is one of the restaurants in Shillong where you can enjoy Chinese and continental food. If you’re a vegetarian, you’re in luck as La Galerie has great vegetarian options as well.
If you’re a vegetarian or if you want traditional north Indian fare, then a good idea would be to check out some of the restaurants in Police Bazaar. Here, you can find the typical Indian dal, roti, paneer, chaats and curries. Some of the restaurants that serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options here include Hotel Centre Point, Madras Cafe, City Hut Dhaba and Café QZine.
If you like desserts, then do visit some of the cafes like Bread Cafe in Police Bazaar or Swish Cafe in Laitumkhrah. Little Chef Cafe in Laitumkhrah is also great for ice cream and warm brownies.
If your mouth is watering at the thought of eating in some of the best restaurants in Shillong, then do remember to visit the SOTC website and check out their deals and offers on holiday packages.
