A never-ending platter of tastes and colours, a thali of any kind has always been somewhat of a kryptonite to all Indians across the country. It’s the best option when you just can’t seem to decide on what you want to eat—with an array of vegetables, pickles, chutneys, meats and whole lot of rice, all in a single meal. And here at Homegrown, we’ve decided to delve into the north-eastern cuisine of unheard names and mouth-watering dishes. So here are four restaurants that serving up some real north-eastern goodness, all in the expense of one plate.
I. On Wednesdays, We Eat At Chaminnasi
Organisation by the day and chaos by the plate. This delivery-only restaurant has your weekly thaali schedule all planned out, for your convenience. With custom thaali meals for each day of the week, Wednesdays are somewhat of a food rave at this outlet. The Wednesday meal consists of a fried fish curry, singju (thinly sliced vegetable salad seasoned with roasted perilla seeds and traditional herbs and spices), Yongchak Eromba (a fresh and spicy vegetable chutney flavoured with fermented fish and green chilli), boiled vegetables, red chilli chutney, served with a portion of sticky red rice or steamed white rice. And worry not dear, vegetarians. While as ravenous as most of the menu (or weekly calendar) is, Mondays and Thursdays are dedicated to gratifying your meat-avoidant palates.
Cost: It should be called “Just Take My Money, Wednesdays” at Rs. 280
II. Straight Out Of Nagaland’s Kitchen
This time slot is unparalleled to any sale you’ve been to in your life. From 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM, everyday, Nagaland’s Kitchen open’s their services to a delectably filling thaali (that you probably have no idea how you’re going to finish). The meal consists of a hearty serving of boiled rice, boiled vegetables, dal, rosep aon (a medley of stir-fried vegetables, and primarily bitter gourd), chutney and steamed fish. This outlet offers both vegetarian and meat-based thaalis, along with a guaranteed foodgasm at the end of your meal.
Cost: Filled to the brim at Rs. 435 (for the smoked pork); Rs. 399 (for the chicken); Rs. 359 (for the veg thaali)
III. Serving Some Naga Realness At The Bamboo Hut
The Bamboo Hut is definitely the place to indulge in an authentic Naga meal. This outlet serves three elaborate thaalis, with ingredients we’re quite frankly intrigued by; namely the Sema Thaali (smoked pork with Axone or fermented soybeans), the Ao Thaali (smoked pork with Anishi or colocasia stems) and the Lotha Thaali (smoked pork with dry yam stems). Each thaali come with a serving of steamed rice, boiled vegetables, chutney and cool refreshing glass of ice tea to wash down the wholesome meal.
HG Recommends: The Ao Pork Thali (side note: prepare yourself for the spice levels)
Cost: A delectable bargain at Rs. 300
IV. Get It All At The Bamboo Shoot Kitchen
While the north-eastern cuisine may have remained an enigma for most parts of the country, it has never failed to satiate our appetites and tastes. At the Bamboo Shoot Kithcen, three out of the seven sisters are promising thaalis that will leave wanting more. The Nagaland thaali consists of a large serving of steamed rice and vegetables with a side of green chilli chutney and dal, the Assam thaali includes a portion of rice and dal with a side of aloo pitika (a mashed potato dish) and aloo fry, and the Manipuri thaali comprises of rice, eromba (boiled vegetables served with chilis and fermented fish), ooti (yellow peas curry) and singju (vegetable salad); all with a choice of meat from pork, beef, chicken and fish.
Cost: Can’t make a decision, have them all each at Rs. 270; Rs. 50 for extra steamed rice
Feature Image Credit—City Shor
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