Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations in India that you must at least once in your life. Not only does it offer jaw-dropping views of Mount Kanchenjunga but also the opportunity to go back in the old world charm. Imagine an evening with your friends, family or partner sipping the famous teas of the hill station and absorbing the unparalleled views of the mountains. Sounds interesting, isn’t it? Well, such is the beauty of Darjeeling and it will definitely give you a refreshing holiday experience. And what adds to this beautiful experience is the street foods in Darjeeling that you just cannot miss out on!
So, while you are planning a visit to Darjeeling next time, do give a read to this list of street foods in Darjeeling that will help you have a heartwarming vacation there.
12 Best Street Foods In Darjeeling
Here is a list of the street foods of Darjeeling that you can try on your next Darjeeling trip to have a toothsome experience. Though there are many delicious foods that are served in Darjeeling but few of them are easily available for travelers and those are what we are going to include in this list of ours! Take a look!
- Momos
- Thukpa
- Aloo Dum
- Shaphalay
- Churpee
- Traditional Nepali Thali
- Give her
- Kakra Ko Achar And Kinema
- Naga Cuisine
- Sael Roti
- Gundruk
- Traditional Bengali Thali
1. Momos
Momo is very common and popular street food wherever you go and Darjeeling is no less. You can easily get to try momos in Darjeeling. It is served with hot soup and is one of the best street foods in Darjeeling. You can have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian momos according to your choice. While you will find them in shacks throughout the town, one famous place for trying momos in Darjeeling is Kunga Restaurant which is run by a family. Usually 6-7 pieces are served on a plate. Feeling hungry, already?
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2. Thukpa
You must have heard about Thukpa and we are glad to tell you that even Darjeeling serves Thukpa on a large scale. It is one of the famous street foods in Darjeeling. Considered as a starter, it is available in shacks as well as restaurants. It is a hot noodle soup containing vegetables, bread crumbs and if it’s non-vegetarian then it contains meat pieces. Devekas restaurant and Kunga restaurant are places to have best Thukpa.
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3. Aloo Dum
Aloo dum might seem like a home-made dish to you, as in moms preparing it at home. Well, the dish is definitely something that used to be cooked in Nepali and Bengali homes. But it gained so much popularity in Darjeeling that now it is one of the best veg street foods in Darjeeling. It is a dish made with boiled potatoes, onion, garlic, red chilli (which is a must), all in a thick gravy. And adding icing to the cake are the potato wafers or ‘bhujia’ that enhance the taste to some other level. You will definitely love having aloo dum by the roadside while enjoying the views!
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4.Shaphalay
This is a unique street food of Darjeeling. Though it is a Tibetan cuisine, it is very famous in Darjeeling. It is a bread stuffed with either chicken, meat or pork. And it is served with either chutney or roasted barley and cheese which enhances its taste. This dish is not easily available however, it will definitely treat your tastebuds like never before.
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5. Churpee
Churpee is another unique dish you won’t find everywhere in India. It is basically a cheese dish which comes from Nepali origin. It is served in both soft and hard forms. You will find it at some of the restaurants in Darjeeling. While you must have tasted everything in Darjeeling during your vacation, you must give this dish a try to have a unique experience.
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6. Traditional Nepali Thali
Traditional Nepali Thali is mostly enjoyed by the local people in Darjeeling which means a platter or a thali. The Nepali thali comprises of diverse dishes such as lentils as daal, assorted vegetables as tarkari, some boiled rice along with achaar or pickle and not to forget a sweet dish to complete the meal. The herbs and spices that are added in making of a thali is completely unique found in Nepal. If you want to enjoy the Nepali thali in Darjeeling then you must visit Revolver restaurant situated on Gandhi road which serves the best thali.
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7. Give her
Pickles are relished by most of the people and the tint of that red-hot chilli add that extra spice on the taste buds. Dalle is a kind of pickle which is prepared by the people in Darjeeling which is made by mixing mustard oil spices, salt and red chilli. Dalle is considered to be a spicy pickle and is enjoyed with different meals. The pickle is usually available in small bottles and you can avail the bottles in shops near Nehru Road like Keventer’s or near Chowk Bazaar.
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8. Kakra Ko Achar And Kinema
The Nepali cuisine is considered incomplete without being served with pickles. Kakra Ko Achar is one of the delicacies which is prepared by julienne of cucumbers mixed with spices, salt and mustard oil. The pickle is generally served with meals and that too on the daily basis. The fermented soya beans pickle is known as kinema which is also popular in Darjeeling. There are number of shops where you can get these pickles such as on the Mall road.
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9. Naga Cuisine
When in Darjeeling you must enjoy Naga cuisine which is served in some of the restaurants. Nagas are people residing in Darjeeling and they have made their cuisine quite popular here. Naga cuisine comes with a royal thali comprising of fermented or dried bamboo shoots generally prepared with chicken, boiled rice, pickles, ghee, fish or pork and a sweet dish to complete the meal. The restaurants which serve the Naga cuisine in Darjeeling are Revolver restaurant which is considered as the most famous of its kind.
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10. Get Roti
This roti is served in Nepali cuisine but is not available everywhere in Darjeeling. This sael roti is eaten mostly by the local people in Darjeeling so if you happen to get along well with any local then they might serve you with this amazing sael roti. The sael chapati is generally prepared in the Nepali homes and that too during the festivals time or any special occasion. It is made of rice paste and is deep fried and served along with extra butter or cheese and not to forget pickles or chutneys.
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11. Gundruk
Gundruk is one of the delicacies which is not available in restaurants in Darjeeling. It is a dish which is enjoyed by the local people so if you get friendly with them then you can get a chance to enjoy it’s unique taste. It is prepared by radish leaves, cauliflower, fermented in nature and then dried in sunlight which is then served as Gundruk. The leaves are mostly tossed in oil with vegetables and onions having strong aroma and flavour.
12. Traditional Bengali Thali
If you are in Darjeeling, then you must try the speciality of West Bengal that is the Traditional Bengali Thali. The authentic Traditional Bengali Thali is one of the delicacies which is served with cooked lentils known as daal, prawn or fish curry, aloo bhaja, some assorted vegetables and sweet dish consisting of “mishit doi” or “rasgulla”.
The aroma and the unique taste will surely fascinate you and if you are a foodie then this will be a cherry on the cake for you. Some of the famous places in Darjeeling that serve the thali are Mahakal restaurant near Gandhi road traffic point or Broadway restaurant near Gandhi road.
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Now, you know how to treat your tastebuds while holidaying in Darjeeling. These street foods in Darjeeling are the best of what you can enjoy while exploring a variety of local roadside at your trip. So, make sure you keep them in mind while visiting the hill station and taste them. Now, plan a trip to Darjeeling and savour these dishes.
Planning a trip to Darjeeling and wondering how will the taste and flavours of the food will turn out to be? This is natural as food is the primary thing which connects us. In fact, every city, every country has its speciality in terms of food and when talking about street food then everyone mouths water at just the thought of it. So, when in Darjeeling one of the beautiful hill stations why not give a try to some of the amazing street foods in Darjeeling.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Street Foods In Darjeeling
What is the famous food of Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is a very small but popular place to visit. There is a small population that has Naga ancestry here which is why you will find a few restaurants that serve Naga food. So, you will love to have the Naga Platter which has rice, dried bamboo or fermented bamboo shoots and then your choice of chicken, pork or fish. You even have a good serving of ghee that is prepared from the milk like the butter and the pickles.
What is special in Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is known for its tea industry and the amazing views of Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.
Is alcohol allowed in Darjeeling?
A ban was imposed on alcohol and since then Darjeeling has been running dry with Apex Court’s Liqueur shop. Also, more than 90% of the liquor vending establishments and this has affected the liquor business.
What can I buy in Darjeeling?
There are a lot of things to buy while . There are hand-knitted items at New Mahakal Market, cheap electronics at Chowk Bazaar, carpets at Tibetan Self Help Center, handicrafts and souvenirs at Chorasta, Tea at the small cafes, Woollen clothes at Dragon market, and you get great deals at rink mall.
Which is the best month to visit Darjeeling?
If you ask what is the best time to visit Darjeeling, then it is during the summer months which is from April to June and then there is some specific ideal time to travel to this place. You may love this place during the winter months which is from October to December. Also, some couples prefer to travel in the winter season.
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