The cold, hilly area of Leh Ladakh has its own traditional dishes that tourists need to try out if they want an authentic local experience. Ladakh is a remote mountainous region in the northern part of India. Many travel bugs and adventure enthusiasts often travel to Ladakh for trips as well as treks. But Ladakh is not only known for its scenic beauty, it also has a rich local culture which is evident in the local food and drinks that are popular in the area.
Book Ladakh Tour Packages with Travellersofindia.com
Tourists who are keen to fully experience the region should try out the traditional food of Ladakh whether it be from a local street food stall or from more fancy restaurants.
The Top 15 Food/ Dishes from the Cuisine of Ladakh:
#1. Momos in Ladakh
#2. Thukpa in Ladakh
#3. Chutagi in Ladakh
#4. Tingmo in Ladakh
#5. Chhurpi in Ladakh
#6. Butter Tea in Ladakh
#7. Apricot Jam in Ladakh
#8. Khambir in Ladakh
#9. Channg in Ladakh
#10. Ladakhi Pulao in Ladakh
#11. Saag in Ladakh
#12. Phirni in Ladakh
#13. Skew in Ladakh
#14. Cholak in Ladakh
#15. Kulcha Bun in Ladakh
#1. Momos in Ladakh-
View this post on Instagram
Momos is arguably the most famous food of Ladakh. Momos are now a very common street food item all over north India and especially Delhi, but there is something special about having a plate of fresh warm momos in the freezing cold winters of Ladakh. Momos are small pieces of dough that are wrapped around a bit of filling and then steamed in a special pot which is called the Mokto in Ladakh. Both meat fillings as well as vegetable fillings are used for the momos. These are usually served with some kind of dipping sauce.
Must Read: A Week of Fun in Ladakh – Travellers of India
#2. Thukpa in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
Most local people classify Thukpa as the staple food of Ladakh. The thukpa is a dish prepared with noodles served in a warm soup full of vegetables and/or meat. The thukpa has different variants like thepakthuk or the thentuk which are served in different parts of the area. The thukpa usually has a nice blend of spices in the warm broth that makes it a good food to warm up in the cold climate of the region.
#3. Chutagi in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
This food in Ladakh is known for being very nutritious and perfect for more health conscious travelers. Chutagi is made when a ball of dough is flattened and made into bow shapes and then cooked in a thick soup. The soup is usually made from lots of vegetables and meat. The Chutagi is a very filling meal and is a wonderful treat after a long day’s work.
#4. Tingmo in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
Tingmo is a bread dish that is a staple food of Ladakh. This bread is prepared from wheat flour and has a soft, fluffy texture. In Leh food Tingmo is served with meat, veggies or pulses during lunch as well as dinner.
#5. Chhurpi in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
If you are an adventurous traveler looking for some more interesting indigenous food items then Churrpi is the perfect thing for you. It is a local cheese prepared from the milk of animals called the dzomo which is considered to be a hybrid between cows and yaks. Churrpi is an important nutritional supplement in the cuisine of Ladakh adding vitamins and proteins to dishes.
Must Read: Five Things to Keep in Mind Before You Head to Ladakh
#6. Butter Tea in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
Butter tea is a warm pink beverage that looks as well as tastes great. It is prepared by boiling churrpi and salt with tea leaves. This butter tea is very useful to keep up the body temperature in the biting cold of the Leh Ladakh region.
#7. Apricot Jam in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
Apricot is a fruit that was introduced to the area only in the 20th century from China and Central Asia, but since then it has become a famous food of Ladakh. Freshly prepared sweet and tart apricot jam prepared from the locally grown apricots of Ladakh is the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth while on a trip there.
Related Post – 5 Scrumptious Sweets to Relish in Kolkata
#8. Khambir in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
This is another bread dish that is used by the people of Ladakh as a filling meal. The Khambir is a round piece of bread that is prepared from the fermented dough. The dough is first baked over some very hot stones and then cooked directly in a specially prepared fire. The Khambir is usually served hot with some eggs or vegetables.
#9. Channg in Ladakh –
The cuisine of Ladakh also has its own local beverages. The Channg is one such example. It is a local beer that is prepared by fermenting barley. The Channg has an alcohol content of 5% to 7% and is usually served during local festivities and weddings. The drink is also generally served to guests with a small piece of butter balanced on the rim of the cup as a sign of respect.
#10. Ladakhi Pulao in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
India is a country of rice, so even the most remote parts of the country have some of their own rice dishes. The Ladakhi pulao is the region’s own variant of the famous pulao rice dish. The Ladakhi pulao includes white rice cooked with lots of spices as well as mutton stock. The dish also includes layers of caramelized onions and carrots.
Must Read: Ladakh Chale Rickshawala – Story of an Incredible Rickshaw Puller – Satyen Das
#11. Saag in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
Green leafy veggies are an important part of every diet and Ladakh is no exception. The saag is prepared from Spinach leaves that are cooked with chillies, garlic, cloves cooked in mustard oil. The saag is served with rice or bread/roti once all the water has evaporated and a dry spicy dish is prepared.
Related Post – 5 Types Of Tikkas You Must Have While Travelling in India
#12. Phirni in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
The Phirni is originally an Iranian dish that has now become a famous food of Ladakh. It is a sweet dessert prepared from vermicelli, rice along with milk and sugar. The phirni is usually served in small earthen pots at the end of a meal.
Related Article – 7 Famous Desserts in Amritsar by Travellers of India
#13. Skew in Ladakh –
The skew is a kind of dumpling stew that is prepared with tiny chapatti like pieces of dough. The broth is made with vegetables and for non-vegetarian’s mutton and potato broth is used.
#14. Cholak in Ladakh –
The Cholak is a traditional food df Ladakh prepared with barley and roasted grains. This tasty noodle dish is very filling and wholesome. It is usually served with some Channg.
#15. Kulcha Bun in Ladakh –
View this post on Instagram
This is a bread recipe from Ladakh but is prepared very differently from the traditional kulcha of north India. It is a hard bread served usually with butter tea.
The cuisine of Ladakh is built to cater to the cold temperatures of the region with lots of warm soups and broths. There are also a few Central Asian influences to the dishes that have been adapted with local ingredients and traditions to create a unique flavour palate that is characteristic of the food in Leh Ladakh. So, the next time you decide to plan a trek in some remote hilly region of Ladakh use these traditional local dishes to give you the nutrition and energy you need for your arduous adventure.
Must Read: Leh Ladakh Road Trip – The Ultimate Road Adventure
It?¦s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I?¦m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Very informative article.Really looking forward to read more.
Hey, I really love your content, the amount of detail and information you have provided is incredible. Also if you are a avid traveller and looking for best price for your hotels and flight tickets. Then check us out on and start your journey today.