Sikkim's food is warm, hearty and perfect for cool mountain days. Influenced by Tibetan, Nepali and Lepcha traditions, it features noodles, dumplings, fermented vegetables and simple, comforting flavours. Here are the dishes you should try.
Must-Try Dishes
1. Momos
Steamed dumplings filled with vegetables, cheese, chicken or pork, served with a fiery tomato-chilli chutney. Try them fried or in soup too.
2. Thukpa
A noodle soup with vegetables or meat – ideal on a cold evening.
3. Thenthuk
Hand-pulled flat noodles in a rich broth, a Tibetan favourite.
4. Phagshapa
Pork strips cooked with radish and dried chillies, without oil – a traditional Sikkimese speciality.
5. Sha Phaley
Bread stuffed with spiced meat or vegetables and fried until crisp.
6. Gundruk
Fermented leafy greens, used in soups and pickles – tangy and nutritious.
7. Sinki
Fermented radish taproot, often cooked into soups.
8. Kinema
Fermented soybean, cooked as a curry – an acquired taste with a strong aroma.
9. Sel Roti
A sweet, ring-shaped fried rice bread, especially popular during festivals.
10. Chhurpi
A hard cheese made from yak or cow milk. Soft chhurpi is used in dishes; hard chhurpi is chewed slowly like a sweet.
11. Gya Thuk and Wai Wai
Noodle dishes and the beloved packaged noodles eaten as a snack or soup.
12. Shapta
Stir-fried sliced meat with chillies and onions.
Drinks
- Temi Tea: Sikkim's own high-quality tea.
- Butter tea (po cha): salty Tibetan tea with butter – warming at altitude.
- Chhang and tongba: traditional millet-based fermented drinks served in some homes and restaurants (drink responsibly).
Vegetarian Options
Veg momos, veg thukpa, thenthuk, gundruk soup, sel roti, aloo dum and Indian vegetarian meals are widely available in Gangtok and Pelling.
Where to Eat
- MG Marg, Gangtok: cafés, bakeries and restaurants serving Sikkimese, Tibetan and Indian food.
- Lal Bazaar: local snacks and market food.
- Homestays: the best place to try home-cooked Sikkimese meals.
- Pelling and Ravangla: small family restaurants with mountain views.
Food Souvenirs
- Temi tea
- Dalle chilli pickles (very hot!)
- Hard chhurpi
- Local cardamom (Sikkim is a major producer of large cardamom)
- Organic jams and juices – Sikkim is India's first fully organic state
Tips
- Dalle chillies are extremely hot – taste carefully.
- Ask for less spice if needed.
- Stay hydrated at altitude, especially if you try local alcoholic drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the famous food of Sikkim?
Momos, thukpa, thenthuk, phagshapa, gundruk and sel roti are among the best known.
Is vegetarian food available in Sikkim?
Yes – veg momos, thukpa, thenthuk and Indian meals are widely available.
What is chhurpi?
A traditional cheese made from yak or cow milk; hard chhurpi is chewed slowly.
What should I buy from Sikkim?
Temi tea, Dalle chilli pickles, chhurpi, large cardamom and organic products.
Is Sikkim an organic state?
Yes, Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state.
Plan Your Trip with On Travel
Our Sikkim tours include homestay experiences and local food recommendations in Gangtok, Pelling and North Sikkim.
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- Email: info@ontravel.in
Plan Your Trip with On Travel
Ready to go? These itineraries cover the places in this guide and can be customised to your dates and budget:
- Gangtok & Darjeeling Heritage Tour – 4 Nights / 5 Days
- Darjeeling, Gangtok & Lachung – 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Sikkim Explorer – Gangtok & Pelling, 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Darjeeling, Gangtok & Lachung Grand Tour – 7 Nights / 8 Days
Browse all Sikkim tour packages.
Related reading: Sikkim Trip Cost · How to Reach Sikkim · Monasteries of Sikkim
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