Forget Thupka & Momos, try these 9 most popular dishes from Sikkim

Sikkim is one destination in the North East that's not just famous for its scenic beauty but the amazing local food influenced by neighbouring countries like Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. Sikkimese cuisine is full of flavours and is based on rice and maize mainly. It is one of the reasons that most of the dishes made is Sikkimese cuisine have rice and maize in some form or the other. Here are some of the most popular dishes apart from Thukpa and Momos, that are surely worth a try.

It's a traditional Nepalese dish which is popularly known as Dal Chawal in the rest of India. It's considered as a comfort meal for many and consists of boiled rice and lentil soup that can be made with any variety of lentil.

It looks just like pretzels and is made using fermented rice. Though this bread is popular in Nepali festivals, it is also enjoyed in Sikkimese cuisine with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

Chhurpi is a popular cheese of Indian-origin and is made from yak's milk. This is a traditional soup of Sikkimese cuisine which is often served as a welcome drink.

Served in unique traditional cups, Sikkim Tea is made from raw tea leaves and is known for its unique flavour. This is a must-try!

It's a staple dish of Sikkimese cuisine and is made from fermented bamboo. To remove the bitterness of bamboo, turmeric powder plays a key role and the dish is also called Tama Curry and is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

If you are a vegetarian, then Dhindo is the dish you need to try when in Sikkim. Made of cornflour, buckwheat and ground millet, it is best enjoyed with millet stick and veg soup. It would surprise you but Dhindo is also a part of their staple diet. (Image courtesy: Instagram/sustainably_beautiful_)

This is another vegetarian Sikkimese speciality and is made using fermented radish and cauliflower leaves. It's a fermented dish which can be enjoyed as it is or with soups and curries.

It's a Nepali bread, which is typically enjoyed with tomato pickle. The batter of this bread is made with kodo or finger millet flour which is spread on a banana leaf. The leaf is then covered and the bread is baked on a tawa.

This curry is one of the most popular dishes of Sikkim and is made of fermented soya beans, which increases its nutrition quotient. Served with rice, it's a treat for vegetarians.