Now that we have explored the food culture of sweet Kolkata, let's move towards the east to explore the spice of the state of Manipur. Manipur's cuisine is almost the same as that of the Meipei people who for a majority of the population.
The meal is based on the staple food rice which is accompanied by a few sides that include vegetables and fish. Other than these, three other main components are as follows:
- Ensaang or athongba- vegetable stew flavored with fish
- Kanghou - a vegetable stir-fried item and
- A spicy item that is usually morok metpa (a chilli paste) or iromba(a mixture of vegetable and fermented fish) or singu( a piquant salad)
The base of Meipei diet is fermented fish which is also called Ngaari. Fish is another staple food that generally appears in all meals either as a side or as Ngaari. Due to an increase in the price of fish, fish curries are made only occasionally. Most of the Manipuri households, however, tend to grow their vegetables and fish in their kitchen garden and ponds near their houses respectively.
The taste is distinct from the rest of the country due to the use of natural and aromatic herbs and roots that are peculiar to their region.
Merely reading about Manipuri food is not enough. Their food deserves to be tasted. Besides, it is not unhealthy and you do not have to worry about it. So next time you head to the northeast, make sure to try their delicacies.
- Uditi Naagar
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