Why Darjeeling Street Food is a Must-Try for Food Lovers
The Indian state of West Bengal is known as one of the most popular states in the country for its tasty street food and other delicacies. So, it is only logical that Darjeeling, one of the most popular hill stations in West Bengal, has a wide array of street food.
To add a flavorful twist to the already tranquil environment of the Queen of Hills, Darjeeling Street food is more like an experience that you wanna enjoy.
While taking a stroll around Mall Road for a morning walk and sitting on one of the benches on the corner eating a steaming hot plate of Momo and a hot cup of Darjeeling tea will enhance and elevate your morning.
So, let’s carry on and learn from what delicious street foods you can get here in Darjeeling and where you can find them as well. Now, without waiting any longer, let’s dig in.
Iconic Street Food in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is an accumulation of cultures such as Gorkhas, Sherpas, Lepcha, Khampa, Bengalis, and even the British. So, it is only obvious that Darjeeling cuisine is influenced by all these different cultures adding to its specialty.
Here is a list of the most famous street foods in Darjeeling that should be a part of your food bucket list while traveling to Darjeeling. So, are you starving yet? If not, you will be.
1. Momos
Anywhere you go in India, you will find this famous Tibetan dish. Momos are one of the most common and popular street foods in India as well as in Darjeeling.
In most places here in Darjeeling, you will get different types of momos, including chicken, mutton, pork Momo, and a clear vegetable soup.
Momos are vegetables or meat-filled dumplings, either steamed or fried and served on a plate with a tangy and spicy sauce.
You will get momos here in proper restaurants and with street-side vendors. So, no matter what season you visit in Darjeeling, you can enjoy a plate of steaming hot Momo with soup and a stunning view of the Kanchenjunga.
| Where | |
| Hot Stimulating Cafe | Lebong Cart Road, Richmond Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Open at 10:00 AM to 7:00 AM) Best place for Momos. |
| Kunga Restaurant | 51, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Open at 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM) |
| The Average cost for two | INR 100 – 200 |
2. Thukpa
Another fan-favorite Tibetan delicacy that can warm you up even on the coldest days is Thukpa. This soulful bowl of noodles in soup is the perfect comfort food you wanna eat while taking in the picturesque view of the mountains.
A hot bowl of thukpa consists of well-cooked noodles in a bowl of soup with different spices, veggies, and any of your preferred meat, either chicken or mutton. This dish is sold everywhere in Darjeeling, whether in restaurants, roadside shacks, or stalls.
| Where | |
| Devekas Restaurant | Chauk Bazaar |
| Kunga Restaurant | 51, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar (Opens at 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM) |
3. Chaang
It is a traditional millet beer popular in the Himalayan region. Also known as “Tongba,” Chaang is a fermented beer-like brew with almost no alcohol content. The drink is served in a bamboo container and should be drank with a straw, also known as “Pratha.”
It is also believed that Chaang has certain medicinal properties, and this beverage is also consumed during certain festivals and celebrations.
Even though it is a popular street food in Darjeeling, you are not gonna find it throughout the year and only during the festival seasons.
| Where | |
| Hot Stimulating Cafe | Lebong Cart Road, Richmond Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Opens at 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM) |
| The average cost for two | INR 100 – 200 |
4. Sael Roti
This ring-shaped rice doughnut is a traditional Nepali delicacy that is enjoyed during festivals and celebrations at home.
Sael roti is a deep-fried bread made of rice paste. It is a delightful golden crispy treat coated entirely with a sugary syrup, resembling the shape of a bagel. The texture of the bread balances out its sweetness.
Although street vendors do not sell it, these sael roti are consumed by Darjeeling locals all the time. So, if you are friendly with the locals then you might get to enjoy this Darjeeling Street food delicacy.
| Where | |
| Get friendly with a local, might invite you to come to have a meal with these delicacies. |
5. Churpee
If you want to enjoy a perfect example of Darjeeling Street food, then you must try out Churpee. It is a milk-based snack made from cow’s and yak’s milk. The snack resembles cheese and is available both in hard and soft form.
Churpee can be consumed directly or cooked with other ingredients, locals often use it while making veggie momos. Nepalis often cook “Churpee ko achaar” with tomatoes, onions, and green chilies.
They are sold in different qualities; for good quality Churpees, you can get them from proper restaurants and shops, but for medium quality Churpees, you can get them from roadside shacks.
| Where | |
| Keventer’s | Keventer’s, 1 Nehru Road, Darjeeling, India (Open at 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM). They only serve breakfast and snacks. |
| The Average cost of two | INR 400 |
6. Shaphalay
Yet another unique Tibetan origin Darjeeling Street food delicacy is the Shaphalay. It is a well-known Tibetan dish made from meat-filled bread.
The meat used can be anything from chicken, mutton, or pork. The Shaphalay is then eaten with roasted barley and cheese or savory chutney. Eating this meat-filled bread will create a burst of flavors inside your mouth.
| Where | |
| Nawangs Restaurant | No. 7 Robertson Road 1 Clubside, Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
| The average cost for two | INR 100 – 200 |
7. Aloo Dum
Yes, aloo dum is a widely popular dish all over India, but this aloo dum is a widely popular dish in Darjeeling and made in Bengali and Nepali homes.
This popular street food in Darjeeling consists of boiled potatoes, garlic, onions, red chilies, and thick gravy.
The potato wafers known as “bhujia” are added on top of the aloo dum, like pizza toppings, taking the flavor of the aloo dum to a new level.
On a cold winter evening in Darjeeling, this spicey aloo dum is the perfect snack to warm up your body and soul.
| Where | |
| Hasty Tasty | Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Opens at 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM) Also available at the local vendors standing near Mall Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
| The average cost for two | INR 200 |
8. Traditional Nepali Thali
Although not technically street food in Darjeeling but a proper meal, this dish is worth mentioning. A traditional Nepali Thali is the perfect dish to complete your Darjeeling Street food bucket list.
This Nepali Thali consists of ‘Bhaat,’ ‘Dal,’ ‘Tarkaari,’ and ‘Chutney or Achaar,’ finally, a sweet dish is added to the Thali to end the meal on a sweeter note. This Nepali Thali is highly common and popular in Darjeeling delicacy.
| Where | |
| Revolver Restaurant | 110 Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel |
| (Breakfast timings – 7:30 PM to 10:30 AM,Dinner Timing – 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM). |
9. Darjeeling Tea
If you are traveling to Darjeeling, trying a hot cup of Darjeeling Tea is a must. You will find Darjeeling tea in every street corner tea stall, but if you are looking for good quality tea, you must go to a proper establishment.
Only in establishments like these are you gonna find good Darjeeling tea from the first or second flush. These are different flushes of tea harvesting, and that is how you know the quality of the tea.
A cup of hot Darjeeling tea with a beautiful view of the hills is perfect for enjoying Darjeeling the right way. So, whatever you do, drinking authentic Darjeeling tea should be on your bucket list.
| Where | |
| The House of Tea | 11, Nehru Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
| Nathmulls Tea & Sunset Lounge | The Rink Mall (Opp. GPO), 19, Ladenla Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Opens at 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM) |
10. Naga Cuisine
Although the Naga population in Darjeeling is quite low, their cuisine has gained quite a reputation among the locals and tourists. The cuisine is mainly meat-based, mainly meat and fish cuisines.
This Naga cuisine is mainly cooked by smoking and then fermenting the meat. To make a Naga Thali out of it, add fermented rice, along with a certain protein like chicken, pork, meat, or fish. The Thali also includes fermented bamboo shoots, and type of achaar, and a sweet dish.
| Where | |
| Revolver Restaurant | 110 Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel, Darjeeling, West Bengal. (Breakfast timings – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM & Dinner timings – 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM) |
| The average cost of two | INR 300 – 400 |
Where to Find the Flavors of Darjeeling
Street food’s main attraction is accessibility; at any street corner, you will find a stall or shack with mouth-watering snacks and other food delicacies.
The Darjeeling Street food scenario is the same, you will find different food stalls at every corner. But if you are new to Darjeeling, then you might not know where you will find the best street food in Darjeeling, then this is the best place for you to be.
So here are a few great places in Darjeeling where you will find the best street food in Darjeeling, then all you need to do is keep on scrolling through the article to know more.
1. Chowk Bazaar
The Chowk bazaar is a vibrant marketplace with loads of street food stalls and shacks all over the market.
Here, you will find many different food stalls selling steaming hot momos and piping hot bowls of thukpa’s to warm your heart on a cold day in Darjeeling.
How to Reach: Located at the heart of Darjeeling, Chowk Bazaar is easily accessible by foot or rickshaw.
2. The Glenary’s
Established in the 1930s, this iconic bakery is a heritage institution in Darjeeling. At Glenary’s, you will find fresh and warm baked goods, like bread, pastries, and other delicious tea cakes.
But nowadays you will find a proper restaurant with continental food here at Glenary’s other than just bakery and baked goods. Here at Glenary’s, you can eat all the meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
How to Reach: Situated on Nehru Road, The Glenary’s is a short walk from Chowk Bazaar.
3.Keventers
Even if it’s not a street food shop in Darjeeling, Keventer’s is a heritage landmark built in 1889. This British establishment has a wide menu of both Indian and British origin dishes. But even here, you must try their momos and aloo dum.
How to Reach: Located on Laden La Road, Keventers is a short walk from Chowk Bazaar.
4. The Park Restaurant
Located amidst serene natural beauty, The Park Hotel and its restaurant offer an amazing fine dining experience with a stunning view of the Himalayas. Although not a street stall, this restaurant offers all the traditional Himalayan and Tibetan dishes.
How to Reach: Located on Observatory Hill, The Park Restaurant can be reached by taxi or rickshaw.
5. Tea Gardens
If you are visiting Darjeeling, then it is a must that you visit the tea gardens at least once. There are many tea gardens in Darjeeling where you can get a guided tour and tasting of the world-famous Darjeeling tea.
Here in these tea gardens, you can enjoy a picturesque view, certain assorted snacks, and even lunch.
How to Reach: Several tea gardens are located on the outskirts of Darjeeling.
Unveiling Seasonal Offerings: A Symphony of Fresh Flavors
If you have ever been to Darjeeling, you would know that Darjeeling cuisine and its seasons have a beautiful connection.
The food and the seasonal weather are interlinked so they cannot be separated. So, let’s get to know how these two things are linked.
1. Spring (March-May)
During the spring, you will find fresh leafy greens like different ferns incorporated into dishes like stir-fries and Gundruk.
At this time of the year, you will also find fresh fruits like wild plums and strawberries incorporated in a beautiful fresh salad.
2. Summer (June – August)
If you go to Darjeeling during summer, you will find a plethora of fruits and other natural floral. In every orchard you visit here in Darjeeling, you will find fresh jam, jelly, and chutney.
Whether peaches or apricots, you are guaranteed fresh chutney, jam, and jelly in every shop in Darjeeling.
3. Monsoon (September – November)
The monsoon months are considered off-season in Darjeeling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t travel to Darjeeling during the monsoon months.
In cold, misty mornings, comfort foods like steaming hot momos or a hot bowl of thukpa will surely warm up your heart and soul during the monsoon season in Darjeeling.
During this time, you will get a lot of ginger in the classic Darjeeling tea, aiding digestion and dealing with seasonal colds.
4. Winter (December – February)
Winter is the perfect time to visit Darjeeling if you want to enjoy the winter cold, but it is also the peak tourist time.
The winter is the best time to enjoy spicy dishes to warm up your heart, with spicy aloo dum and chili pork or chicken is the way to go during the winter.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables like oranges, apples, cauliflowers, and broccolis are widely popular during the winter months in Darjeeling.
Other Darjeeling Street Food: The Must-Tries
Darjeeling’s culinary journey doesn’t end with just a few food items, but a lot more than that.
The Darjeeling Street food items are not limited by the items mentioned above, here are a few great hidden gems in the streets of Darjeeling that you should know about before you travel there.
‣ Phaphra
It is a fermented bamboo shoot food delicacy unique in the Nepali culture. The dish is nothing, but bamboo shoots kept underground to be fermented for months. This results in a flavorful dish with a tangy flavor to it.
This is a dish you should try to have a full experience of the Darjeeling Street food journey.
‣ Sandheko
The meaning of Sandheko is “dried” in Nepali; this means spiced and dried meat. This special Nepali delicacy has multiple variations like Sandheko sausages and Sandheko mass (dried meat).
This dried-up meat offers a savory and smokey flavor that gives a unique and flavorful culinary experience.
Though it is not the most popular Darjeeling Street food, you might have to look for it and ask a few people to taste this food.
‣ Chhoyla
Another popular yet uncommon Nepali delicacy that you must try is a marinated and grilled meat, chicken, or lamb, known as Chhoyla.
This spicy meat perfection is a popular Darjeeling Street food that is a must-try for every food lover traveling to Darjeeling to enjoy its street food.
‣ Wai Wai Fry
For all mountain lovers, instant noodles like Maggi are a must when traveling to any Indian hill station.
But instant noodles like Maggi are not the only ones you will find here; Wai Wai fry or noodle soup is equally popular.
More than the soup version, the stir-fried wai with vegetables and different spices are very popular among locals and tourists.
This food became a staple as Darjeeling Street food, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or normal snacks, was fried to make you feel happy and content.
Wrapping Up!
Darjeeling is not just the ‘Queen of Hills’ but also a heaven for food lovers. Here, you will get a beautiful tapestry of food from different cultures and traditions. You will get Nepali, Bengali, Chinese, and Tibetan food influences.
The Darjeeling Street food is where you will get a beautiful mixture of these cultures, creating a perfect balance of these culinary experiences. So, if you want to experience the Darjeeling Street food journey, this article will be very helpful for you.
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