MEGHALAYA

Shillong’s natural attractions are the reason why tourists come here once, but the food is why they keep coming back. If you enjoy your meats, this is the place to be. Mixing it up with something from a variety of cuisines (local, North Indian, Chinese, Bengali, Assamese), one can find plenty of food stalls and restaurants dishing out yummy food.


Quick Facts about Food in Shillong

  • Where to eat: For an authentic food experience, you don’t need to go to any high-end restaurant. Visit one of the many food stalls in and around the market area that dish out local delicacies.
  • Popular areas: Popular areas for street food in Shillong are the Police Bazaar and the local city centre.
  • Prices: Food is reasonably priced. No special pricing for tourists.

Momos

You may have eaten momos any number of times, but you’ve got to try them here. Popular in the northeast region of India, momos are best eaten with spicy-tangy chutney (a blend of dried red chilli and vinegar).

From street stalls to local eateries, many restaurants in Shillong serve fresh and hot momos with different fillings. Pork and chicken momos are very popular with the locals. If you want to avoid street food, a popular restaurant is Hotel Broadway on GS Road.

Jalebis

A popular sweet in most Indians cities is the jalebi. This divine treat is loved by people across the country and Shillong is no different.

Although the cuisine of Meghalaya is generally a far cry from that of Delhi or UP, one thing that binds all three together is the humble jalebi. The sweet is ideally eaten hot. Many sweet marts in Shillong serve hot and crispy Jalebis.

Jadoh

This dish is Shillong’s speciality. Rice drenched in a flavourful mix of sour and spicy, topped with an assortment of herbs like mint leaves and ginger flower, along with pork meat that packs a real punch.

Jadoh is a Meghalaya treasure found everywhere on Shillong’s streets. A popular place to get Jadoh from is Jadoh’s in Don Bosco Square or Trattoria in Police Bazaar.

Chowmein

Not a local dish, Chowmein is very popular with the people of Shillong. Spicy and hot, it is prepared with egg noodles on industrial-sized works on the streets. It is usually served with chicken or pork and contains onions, garlic, ginger, and spices over a bed of noodles.

The dish is served at most local Chinese stalls and restaurants in and around Shillong, but if you want the best, sample it at Kimfa on GS Road.

Pukhlein

Another popular dish in Meghalaya, Pukhlein is prepared from fermented rice. As it is one of the few desserts in Shillong, nearly every restaurant in the city will serve it.

Chilly Pork

Indo-Chinese cuisine is an important part of the Meghalaya food scene. In Shillong, you’ll find plenty of Indo-Chinese dishes. Among them, chilli pork is perhaps most famous. In the main market area, local Chinese food stalls serve freshly cooked spicy and hot chilli pork portions at very reasonable prices.

Just like we’ve mentioned above, Shillong is a food lover’s paradise. The city offers a lot of dining options, making it difficult for one to choose. There are plenty of street foods available in Shillong, but these are some of the best dishes to try if you are visiting the city.