Meghalaya Food and Cuisine
Food Guide

Meghalaya Food & Cuisine

Discover the bold, earthy flavours of Khasi cuisine — from Jadoh and Dohneiiong to street food markets, local restaurants, and guided food tours in Shillong.

12 min read By Bah Markos 10 dishes · 6 restaurants · 3 food tours

What Makes Khasi Food Unique

Pork-forward

Pork is the cornerstone of Khasi cuisine — expect it in most traditional dishes

Low spice

Khasi food is surprisingly mild — flavour comes from fermentation and technique, not chilli

Fermented flavours

Fermented ingredients like Tungrymbai and dried fish add deep umami complexity

Rice is life

Red rice is the staple — every meal is built around it

Women cook

In the matrilineal Khasi society, women are the keepers of culinary tradition

Seasonal & local

Ingredients are hyper-local — foraged herbs, river fish, and home-grown vegetables

About Khasi Cuisine

Khasi food is unlike anything else in India. Built around pork, red rice, and fermented ingredients — it\'s bold, earthy, and deeply satisfying. The Khasi people of Meghalaya have a matrilineal society, and their food reflects a culture largely untouched by outside influences. Expect minimal spice but maximum flavour. This is food that tells a story.

Khasi Dishes to Try

Jadoh

Jadoh

Must TryMain Course

The crown jewel of Khasi cuisine. Red rice slow-cooked with pork or chicken, ginger, onion, and black sesame. Rich, earthy, and deeply satisfying — this is the dish that defines Meghalaya.

Trattoria, Café Shillong, Ri Kynmaw₹80–150Spice: Mild
Dohneiiong

Dohneiiong

Must TryMain Course

Pork cooked with black sesame seeds — one of the most iconic Khasi dishes. The sesame gives it a unique nutty, smoky depth unlike anything else in Indian cuisine.

Trattoria, Ri Kynmaw, local dhabas₹120–200Spice: Mild
Doh Khleh

Doh Khleh

Local FavouriteMain Course

A refreshing Khasi pork salad made with minced pork, onion, ginger, and chillies. Served cold — it's the perfect contrast to the heavier rice dishes.

Trattoria, traditional Khasi restaurants₹100–180Spice: Medium
Tungrymbai

Tungrymbai

AdventurousMain Course

Fermented soybean paste — the Khasi version of miso. Strong, pungent, and absolutely addictive once you get used to it. Eaten with rice and pork.

Local homes, traditional restaurants, morning markets₹30–60Spice: Mild
Nakham Bitchi

Nakham Bitchi

WarmingMain Course

Dried fish soup — a warming, umami-rich broth made with dried fish, ginger, and chillies. Perfect for cold Shillong evenings when the mist rolls in.

Traditional Khasi restaurants, local dhabas₹60–100Spice: Medium-Hot
Pumaloi

Pumaloi

TraditionalBreakfast

Steamed rice powder — a traditional Khasi staple. Light, fluffy, and eaten with curries or chutneys. Often served at festivals and ceremonies.

Traditional restaurants, local eateries, morning markets₹40–80Spice: None
Dohjem

Dohjem

Street FoodSnacks & Street Food

Pork intestines cooked with ginger and onion. A street food favourite among locals. Not for the faint-hearted, but incredibly flavourful and authentic.

Police Bazar street stalls, Iewduh market₹50–100Spice: Mild
Minil Sohphie

Minil Sohphie

SnackSnacks & Street Food

Sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves — a popular Khasi snack sold at markets and roadside stalls. Sweet, chewy, and perfect with tea.

Iewduh market, Police Bazar, roadside stalls₹20–40Spice: None
Sohphie

Sohphie

SweetDesserts & Drinks

A traditional Khasi sweet made from rice and jaggery. Served at festivals and special occasions. Mildly sweet with a pleasant chewy texture.

Festival stalls, traditional sweet shops₹30–60Spice: None
Kiad Um

Kiad Um

DrinkDesserts & Drinks

Traditional Khasi rice beer — mildly fermented, slightly sweet, and earthy. Brewed at home by Khasi families and served in bamboo cups at festivals.

Local homes, cultural festivals, some traditional restaurants₹30–80Spice: None

Best Restaurants in Shillong

Trattoria

Trattoria

Must Visit
4.8

Restaurant

Best Khasi thali in Shillong — Jadoh, Dohneiiong, Doh Khleh

Police Bazar Road₹200–400/person11am – 9pm
Khasi CuisineThaliDine-in
Café Shillong

Café Shillong

Must Visit
4.6

Café + Restaurant

Khasi food + great coffee + live music on weekends

Laitumkhrah₹150–300/person9am – 10pm
CaféCoffeeLive Music
Ri Kynmaw

Ri Kynmaw

Must Visit
4.7

Traditional Restaurant

Authentic Khasi cuisine — Dohneiiong, Jadoh, Tungrymbai

Laitumkhrah₹200–350/person12pm – 8:30pm
TraditionalKhasi CuisineAuthentic
Iewduh Market

Iewduh Market

4.5

Street Food Market

Local snacks, Dohjem, fresh produce, Minil Sohphie

Bara Bazar₹30–100/item6am – 6pm
Street FoodMarketLocal
Cloud 9

Cloud 9

4.4

Café

Breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, and great views

Laitumkhrah₹100–250/person8am – 9pm
CaféBreakfastCoffee
Dylan's Café

Dylan's Café

4.3

Café

Bohemian vibe, great coffee, live music, local art

Police Bazar₹100–200/person10am – 10pm
CaféLive MusicBohemian

Food Tours with Markos

Let Bah Markos take you beyond the tourist trail — into the real food culture of Shillong.

Morning Market Food Walk

₹800/person
3 hours7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

"See Shillong wake up — the market is most alive at dawn"

Iewduh market visit
Pumaloi breakfast
Fresh local produce tasting
Tea at a local stall
Markos as guide
Book This Tour

Khasi Cuisine Deep Dive

₹1,500/person
4 hours12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

"The most comprehensive Khasi food experience in Shillong"

Lunch at Trattoria
Jadoh + Dohneiiong tasting
Tungrymbai experience
Dessert at local sweet shop
Food history storytelling
Book This Tour

Street Food Evening Tour

₹600/person
2.5 hours5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

"Shillong's street food scene is electric after sunset"

Police Bazar street stalls
Dohjem tasting
Momos & local snacks
Kiad Um (rice beer) experience
Night market atmosphere
Book This Tour

Food Markets to Explore

Iewduh (Bara Bazar)

Iewduh (Bara Bazar)

The largest traditional market in northeast India. A sensory overload of fresh produce, dried fish, local snacks, and Khasi street food.

Daily 6am – 6pmBest for: Dohjem, Minil Sohphie, fresh herbs
Police Bazar Street Food

Police Bazar Street Food

The heart of Shillong's street food scene. Momos, Jadoh, local snacks, and everything in between — especially lively in the evenings.

Daily 10am – 10pmBest for: Momos, evening snacks, local drinks
Mawphlang Village Market

Mawphlang Village Market

A weekly rural market near the sacred forest. Locals sell foraged herbs, wild mushrooms, and traditional Khasi ingredients.

Wednesdays onlyBest for: Foraged ingredients, local herbs
Laitumkhrah Morning Market

Laitumkhrah Morning Market

A neighbourhood morning market popular with locals. Fresh vegetables, eggs, and breakfast items — the real Shillong morning experience.

Daily 6am – 11amBest for: Breakfast, fresh produce, local life

Markos Says

"Don\'t leave Shillong without trying Jadoh at Trattoria — it\'s where locals eat, not just tourists. And if you\'re brave, try Tungrymbai. It smells strong but tastes incredible with rice. I take all my guests there on the first day! For the real experience, come with me to Iewduh market at 7am — that\'s when Shillong is most alive."

Chat with Markos

Stay Near Shillong

Wiba Homestay – Your Base in Shillong

Located in peaceful Mawpat, Wiba Homestay is the perfect base for exploring Shillong and Meghalaya. Run by Bah Markos – local expert, licensed guide, and taxi driver – you get everything in one booking.

4 × 2BHK Rooms

Ideal for families & groups

2 × 1BHK Rooms

Perfect for couples & solo

Taxi Pickup

From airport or railway station

Guided Tours

Custom itineraries by Markos

Wiba Homestay 2BHK Living RoomWiba Homestay BedroomWiba Homestay KitchenWiba Homestay Exterior

One Call Does It All

Ready to Plan Your Shillong Trip?

Talk to Bah Markos directly. Custom itineraries, no booking fees, instant confirmation.

200+ Happy Guests4.9★ RatingLocal ExpertNo Booking Fees
Book Now