What to Eat in Imphal Today?

Famous Food to Eat in Imphal

Meitei cooking is simple, fresh and full of herbs. Try these local dishes during your visit.

Eromba

Boiled vegetables mashed with roasted chillies and ngari, then finished with fresh herbs. It is fiery and pungent, and it is eaten with rice at almost every Meitei meal.

Singju

A crunchy salad of finely shredded raw vegetables, banana stem and herbs, tossed with roasted gram flour, chilli and ngari. It is a popular snack, often sold at small stalls in the evening.

Kangshoi

A light stew of seasonal vegetables and greens cooked with ginger, onion and a little ngari. It is mild and comforting, and a good first dish if you are new to Meitei food.

Nga Thongba

A Manipuri fish curry cooked with local herbs and chilli. Freshwater fish from Loktak Lake and the valley's ponds is at the heart of Meitei cooking, so this is worth ordering near the lake.

Chak Hao Kheer

A deep purple pudding made from Manipur's black rice (chak hao), slowly cooked in milk with cardamom and nuts. It is the dessert most visitors remember.

Snacks and Local Markets in Imphal

Ima Keithel is the best place to see the ingredients behind Meitei food. Look for piles of dried and fermented fish, bundles of fresh herbs, black rice and seasonal fruit. In the evenings, small stalls around the city sell singju and other simple snacks.

Food Tips for Travellers in Imphal

• Ask for dishes without ngari if you do not eat fish, as it goes into many dishes that look vegetarian.
• Eromba can be very hot, so ask for a milder version if you are not used to chilli.
• Try a Manipuri thali to taste several dishes at once.
• Eat lunch near Loktak Lake on your day trip, where fish dishes are a speciality.
• Many restaurants close early, so plan dinner in good time.
• Carry some cash for small eateries and market stalls.