Bamboo-based cuisine in India varies widely by state, especially in the northeastern and eastern regions, where bamboo grows abundantly and has been a part of traditional diets for centuries. Here’s an overview of some popular bamboo dishes across Indian states known for their bamboo-based cuisines:
1. Assam
- Khorisa: Fermented bamboo shoot used in curries with fish, pork, or chicken.
- Baanhgajor Lagot Kukura: Chicken curry cooked with fresh bamboo shoots, often spicy and tangy.
- Khorisa Tenga: A tangy fish curry with bamboo shoots, very popular in Assamese households.
2. Nagaland
- Axone with Bamboo Shoot: Fermented soybean cooked with bamboo shoots, pork, and spices.
- Pork with Bamboo Shoots: A classic Naga dish, this features pork cooked with fermented or fresh bamboo shoots and lots of local spices.
- Smoked Pork and Bamboo Shoot: Smoked pork combined with fresh bamboo for a smoky, earthy flavor.
3. Manipur
- Eromba: A traditional mashed dish using fermented bamboo shoots, fish, and potatoes, garnished with fresh herbs.
- Soibum Eromba: A variation of Eromba made with fermented bamboo shoots called Soibum.
- Ngari with Soibum: Fermented fish (Ngari) and bamboo shoots, known for its strong flavor and aroma.
4. Mizoram
- Bai: A Mizo delicacy made with vegetables, bamboo shoots, and sometimes pork or fish.
- Sawhchiar: A bamboo shoot and rice stew, often combined with pork or chicken.
- Vawksa Rep: Smoked pork cooked with bamboo shoots, a hearty and smoky dish with a lot of flavor.
5. Arunachal Pradesh
- Pika Pila: A pickle made with bamboo shoots, pork fat, and local spices.
- Bamboo Shoot Curry: Fresh bamboo shoots cooked with a mix of vegetables and meat.
- Ngatok: Fish curry with bamboo shoots, often wrapped in leaves and steamed for flavor.
6. Meghalaya
- Jadoh with Bamboo Shoots: A Khasi rice dish with pork, flavored with bamboo shoots.
- Dohneiiong: Pork with black sesame seeds and bamboo shoots, a traditional Khasi dish.
- Tungrymbai: A dish made with fermented soybeans and bamboo shoots, often served as a side.
7. Tripura
- Mui Borok: A Tripuri dish where bamboo shoots are used with a variety of meats, often with fermented fish.
- Panch Phoron Tarkari: Bamboo shoots with mixed vegetables and the five-spice mix known as Panch Phoron.
- Bangui Rice with Bamboo Shoots: A rice dish using bamboo shoots and traditionally cooked in a bamboo hollow over an open flame.
8. Sikkim
- Gundruk and Bamboo Shoot Curry: Fermented leafy greens and bamboo shoots in a savory curry.
- Shaphalay with Bamboo: Deep-fried bread stuffed with meat and bamboo shoots, often enjoyed as street food.
- Churpi and Bamboo Shoot Soup: A soup using local cheese (Churpi) and bamboo for a mild, hearty dish.
9. Jharkhand
- Bamboo Shoot Curry: Made with local spices and sometimes combined with mutton or chicken.
- Bamboo Shoot Chutney: A tangy condiment made with bamboo shoots and green chilies, popular as a side dish.
- Bamboo Pickle: Fresh bamboo shoots pickled with mustard seeds and spices.
10. Odisha
- Bamboo Shoot Curry: Common in the tribal areas of Odisha, where bamboo shoots are cooked with mustard paste and spices.
- Bamboo Shoot Khichdi: A mix of rice and bamboo shoots, sometimes flavored with turmeric and other local spices.
- Saji Bhaja: A tribal snack made by frying thin bamboo shoot slices with spices.
11. West Bengal
- Bamboo Shoot with Fish: A delicacy where fish is cooked with fresh bamboo shoots, popular in hill areas like Darjeeling.
- Paturi-style Bamboo Shoots: Bamboo shoots marinated in mustard paste and steamed in banana leaves, often with fish.
- Bamboo Shoot Mochar Ghonto: A curry made with banana flower and bamboo shoot, spiced and served with rice.
12. Kerala (South India)
- Bamboo Rice Payasam: Bamboo rice is used in Kerala for making a sweet rice pudding.
- Bamboo Shoot Thoran: A dry curry with shredded bamboo shoots, grated coconut, and spices.
- Bamboo Shoot Mezhukkupuratti: Bamboo shoots stir-fried with spices and served as a side dish.
13. Chhattisgarh
- Bastar Bamboo Shoot Curry: A traditional Bastar dish made with bamboo shoots, often combined with tamarind and chilies.
- Bamboo Shoot Pickle: Locally fermented bamboo shoot pickles, often used as an accompaniment.
- Fara with Bamboo Shoot Chutney: Steamed rice dumplings served with bamboo shoot chutney.
14. Maharashtra
- Bamboo Bhaji: A stir-fried dish with bamboo shoots, often with green chili and garlic.
- Bamboo Shoot Chutney: Made with bamboo shoots, chilies, and peanuts for a spicy flavor.
- Bamboo Shoots with Kokum: A tangy preparation using kokum, a coastal fruit, and bamboo.
15. Tamil Nadu
- Bamboo Shoot Kootu: Bamboo shoots with lentils, coconut, and spices in a thick curry.
- Bamboo Shoot Pickle: Bamboo shoots pickled with mustard seeds, turmeric, and red chili powder.
- Bamboo Rice Idli: Idlis made with bamboo rice, giving it a unique taste and texture.
Each state has its own version of bamboo cuisine that highlights its regional flavors, ingredients, and traditions. From spicy curries to pickles, bamboo shoots are a staple in various Indian culinary traditions, particularly in tribal and northeastern cultures where they are valued for both taste and nutrition.
