Page 40 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 6 | August - September 2024

THE QUINTESSENTIAL TASTES OF LADAKH

Like anywhere in India, Ladakh has its own
culinary specialities. Most of this food will
also be served fresh at your hotel or resort,
but for the foodies among us, here is a list
of must-try dishes and spots:

• You can’t leave Ladakh without trying their famous momos,
and I would recommend heading to Chopsticks Noodle Bar
for this famous dish.
• Make sure to try the Ladakh pakoras, served with soothing gur-
gur chai (butter tea).
• Khambir (Ladakhi bread), hot off the tawah, is a must-try
• Try the classic Ladakh speciality, phirni, a Kashmiri dessert
usually made with ground rice or rice flour cooked in milk,
and often served in clay bowls.
• Ask for some sweet chuli (apricot jam) to accompany your meals.
• For maggi lovers, have it street-side between destinations during
your road trip!
• If you’re visiting the Leh Market, make sure to visit The Tibetan
Kitchen, a cute roadside restaurant which served some of the
tastiest food I’ve ever tried.

WHERE TO STAY:
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A COMFORTABLE TRIP:
• Ladakh Sarai Resort is an oasis; a
peaceful, retreat-style resort that has staff • It is always recommended to • It is also important that you stay
catering to your every need, ensuring plan a trip longer than a few warm in general. Winds are strong,
that you will be well taken care of. days, so you can account for time and the weather can be cool even
Their restaurant’s menu is filled with to allow the body to adjust to in the summer months.
delicious local delights, they boast a great altitude sickness. You may feel
selection of beautiful rooms, and the tired quicker, and feel the need to If you are covered up you’ll be much
acres of property are gorgeous. It is also take deeper breaths. In extreme more comfortable and can avoid
convenient to reach from the airport and cases, some may also feel nausea catching a cold.
the Leh Market. For more information, and dizziness. The symptoms will • Make sure to stop and take in all
visit www.ladakhsarai.com be different for everyone, but it the beauty. If you just focus on
• If you’re looking for a sojourn by the can take up to two days or even remaining present, all other worries
lakefront, head to Pangong Retreat more to acclimatise to the drastic will melt away.
Camp. The camp is quiet and secluded, change in environment. A week-
presenting 360-degree views of the long adventure is ideal! Get excited for all of the stunning views
lake. There is a wide range of rooms • Always ensure you have extra to come by re-watching these classics
to pick from, and of course, the piping- oxygen available. Most (if not all) that were filmed in Ladakh and Spiti
hot local cuisine is simply delectable, hotels will have plenty of oxygen Valley!
served every day as a buffet in their tanks on the premises to use for
restaurant. For more information, visit free, or you can also choose to • 3 Idiots (2009)
www.pangongretreat.com buy smaller, hand-held tanks • Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
• If you’re hoping to reduce your carbon from any pharmacy in case you • Dil Se (1998)
footprint as much as possible while need some when out exploring.
you travel, The Blue Mountain Hotel • It can also get very dry and • Highway (2014)
& Cafe in Spiti Valley is an entirely- dusty up there, so prepare lots
sustainable hotel. Priding themselves of antihistamines for anyone with
on emphasising the feeling of being dust allergies. It will make your
at home, you’ll also be able to enjoy time much more enjoyable and
many nature-based activities around the manageable without constant
property. For more information, visit sneeze attacks!
bluemountainhotel.co.in/kaza

40 | MASALA MAGAZINE AUG-SEP 2024