Snapshots
Though it is often referred to as a "melting pot" of Indian cultures and cuisines, Northeast Indian cuisine was never truly a thing in Mumbai, right up to this moment. Northeast India boasts a thriving culinary, cultural, linguistic, and textile scene. Right here in Mumbai, we may delve into a section of the culinary scene that offers some very mouthwatering northeastern cuisine.
The subject is broader than merely momos! An example would be a Naga restaurant in Andheri, a western suburb of Mumbai, which has been consistently busy during weeknights. A nearby diner is well-known for its modest Northeastern thalis. A cloud kitchen that serves Manipuri cuisine has been opened a few kilometres distant. Additionally, a skilled home cook has been introducing Mumbaikars to traditional Assamese cuisine.
In the middle of bustling Andheri West, northeastern cuisine has never been more popular in Mumbai. Young entrepreneurs from eight of India's sister states are capitalising on the increasing interest in hyperlocal foods after the epidemic by opening delivery kitchens and affordable 10–14-seater restaurants to serve their unique culinary traditions. Migrants from the area flock to the suburb, mostly in search of job possibilities in the restaurant, beauty and wellness, and entertainment industries, thanks to its thriving food and beverage scene, supported by rising infrastructure and its reputation as a centre for the film and television industry.
Must-try Northeastern Indian restaurants in Mumbai!
Naga Belly
At Naga Belly, you can enjoy authentic cuisine from the indigenous Nagalandi people in a casual setting. Though unpretentious, Naga Belly's furnishings reflect its values. The handcrafted wooden serveware and wall frames with hornbill feathers and beaded warrior jewellery from the Sumi and Ao tribes maintain the restaurant's focus on Naga cultural history. The restaurant's location in the middle of Andheri makes the dining experience all the more risky, but the food's honest, robust flavours make up for it. Aren Longkumer and Juliet Assumi, who were childhood friends, launched Naga Belly in 2020 as a cloud kitchen. In the midst of the pandemic, the two decided to leave their jobs in aviation and fashion to start a food business in their Andheri home. The sisters wanted to give the people of Mumbai a little taste of Dimapur, where they were born and raised. After receiving an overwhelming number of requests from its regulars, the dining space recently opened as an extension.
Naga cuisine is known for its use of animal fat and its sparse seasonings, which are generally prepared without oil. Commonplace cooking techniques such as steaming, boiling, and smoking are still widely used in the area. Ingenious preservation procedures forever increase the shelf life and digestive quality of soybeans, bamboo shoots, pork, fish, and a plethora of wild edible greens. The zero-oil stews at Naga Belly are seasoned with aromatics like sun-dried bamboo shoots, perilla seeds, michinga peppercorns (also known as citrus-y Naga peppercorns), axone, anishi (fermented taro leaf cakes cherished by the Ao tribe), and so on, staying true to the cuisine's rustic essence. They were out of smoked pork, so I didn't get to try their Kholar Beans with Smoked Pork, which are made from kidney beans from jhum fields. If you're a first-timer, you can choose from fish, chicken, or pork in the anagho or thali.
Akhoi
Actress and model Lin Laishram brings a comfortingly grounded, homey dish to the vibrant Mumbai food scene. Akhoi is the first Manipuri cloud kitchen in Mumbai, and its founder, Lin, is the proud wife of actor Randeep Hooda. At Akhoi, you won't simply find a restaurant serving up traditional fare from the northeastern state of Manipur; it's an ode to the region's culture, cuisine, and identity. In addition to its extensive cuisine, Akhoi is notable for Lin's dedication to educating via food. Through her cooking, she is bringing attention to the diversity of Indian food and dispelling misconceptions about it. One thali at a time, Lin Laishram is fostering cultural curiosity through Akhoi, which goes beyond simply satisfying hunger.
Read more about this restaurant below!
Thotrin Cafe
At the tiny Thotrin Cafe, you may get Northeastern specialities in addition to the usual fare like hakka noodles and burnt chilli fried rice. So, what's the deal? In Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Assam, and the neighbouring states, buff or beef (seisa) and pig (hoksa) are basic meats. Refreshing ingredients like smoked and shredded buff, cucumbers, hand-pounded green beans, and raja mircha, a local chilli, make up Thotrin's seisa salad. The big, unevenly chopped potatoes and chunks of dry buff are cooked in a light, soup-like gravy that is seasoned with a plethora of chillies in this comforting dish. Hoksa sautéed in ghee and dal: This simple dish is bursting with umami goodness thanks to the fatty pork chunks and spicy kidney beans (rajma) that go into its cooking. Its profile is mostly nutty and earthy, with subtle hints of raja mirchi. Manipuri Fried Rohu pieces float in a flowing gravy flavoured with turmeric; chopped potato, cauliflower, and green peas round out this Manipuri-style fish dish that is similar to a Bengali-style maccher jhol, also known as fish curry.
The Taste of Northeast India
Visit this cafe if you're craving a real flavour of Northeast India. Whether you're craving comfort food or are excited to try something new, this restaurant will satisfy your cravings for home-cooked meals. Their best-selling Assamese Thali has a mouthwatering combination of spices and other ingredients. Mild and fragrant white rice pairs wonderfully with the aromatic and flavorful Assamese chicken curry. The aloo pitika, or mashed potatoes with mustard oil and green chillies, brings a fulfilling earthy dimension to the dish, complementing the warm daal. You will feel like you've stepped into the real Assam with the warm ambience, friendly service, and delicious, authentic food at this restaurant. Anyone in search of a genuine Assamese lunch in Mumbai should make a beeline for this spot, whether they're fans of ethnic Indian food or just curious to try something new.
Singju
The name of the restaurant, Singju, comes from a salad that is popular in Manipur. The food is real, from Northeastern India. The restaurant is known for its unique combination of fresh and fermented flavours that bring regional dishes like bamboo shoot curry, perilla seed chutney, and black rice pudding to life. There are both spicy and mild dishes on the menu, such as the spicy pork ribs and the comforting pork bamboo shoot curry. You should try the momos with soup, the Northeast ramen that warms your heart, and the thali, which has many different curries and fermented foods.
Luithui Kitchen
The thukpa at this inviting restaurant is out of this world; it's rich, warm, and full of mellow, comforting tastes. It's the type of meal that makes you feel cozy all over. And the service? Impeccable! The employees are really kind and helpful, and they are also quite courteous. Advice from the pros: the server is a treasure trove of information about the Northeast-inspired cuisine and can probably propose several dishes you would not have tried otherwise. You really must taste their Hoksa Sausage, Smoked Hoksa with Yam, Chicken Liver Chutney, and Hoksa Alungsa. You should only go there if you can handle heat, as they use Bhoot Jolokia chillies. They are really spicy, but incredibly tasty!
Naga Chukka
For genuine Naga cuisine, go no farther than Naga Chukka in Mumbai! Boneless beef pickle with the right combination of spices is a must-try. With perfectly measured amounts of each ingredient and a substantial serving size, it boasts an amazing taste. Additionally, their Momos are among the best in Mumbai! This momos dish is absolutely mouthwatering, and the filling is perfectly balanced and juicy, the wrap is incredibly soft, and the chutney is out of this world. Other items that are must must-try? One of your favourite desserts will be sticky rice cup cakes. The sticky rice is silky and fluffy, and its aroma is detectable with every bite. If you're a vegetarian and are looking for a dish that's both simple and challenging to make correctly, try rosep, which is a dish of mixed vegetables with simple ingredients! The show-stopping jewel in the crown? Axone chutney! The owner personally creates the axone to ensure it is as fresh and high-quality as possible.