Chat with a local in Ladakh and it won’t be long before you get invited home to sip on a drink called butter tea and huddle around the fire in the hearth. Older Ladakhis will tell you that in richer homes, the hearth’s fire was always kept burning, and never allowed to die. Back before matches were readily available, neighbours came over to ‘borrow’ fire, to keep the kitchen bustling and the hearth warm.
While much has changed across the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom since then, the Ladakhis’ kindness and hospitality remain the same. Nestled between Kashmir, Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the north-west, and Chinese-controlled Tibet and Xinjiang to the east and north, Ladakh’s location on the ancient Silk Route allowed for its culture to draw from many regional influences, from Islamic neighbours and 19th century Sikh invaders to Tibetan traders who passed through the region.
Its food then—a reflection of the harsh terrain and unforgiving climate—is not only a lesson in flavour combinations and textures, but also in history. Thanks to the efforts of enterprising locals, those new to the region can enjoy the cuisine, its ingredients and culture—in delicious and exciting new ways.
Here are six unmissable food experiences to have in Ladakh: