Food

Hissa Pichi

Hissa Pichi is a traditional Rabha dish made by pounding cooked rice into a paste. This rice paste can be mixed with various ingredients such as herbs, spices, and sometimes small amounts of fish or meat to create a hearty and filling dish. It is often eaten as a snack or part of a larger meal.

Phakay

Phakay is prepared by powdering rice and then cooking it in a bamboo tube. This method of cooking imparts a distinctive flavor to the rice, making it aromatic and slightly smoky. The bamboo tube helps to retain moisture, ensuring the rice is cooked to perfection.

Khisharkay (Khysarkai)

Khisharkay is a curry prepared with the addition of alkali, which helps in breaking down the ingredients and gives the curry a unique taste and texture. This dish is often made with local vegetables and meats, making it a flavorful and nutritious option.

Zaokay (Jaokai)

Zaokay refers to fried food prepared using mustard oil. Mustard oil adds a rich, pungent flavor to the dishes. Various ingredients like fish, vegetables, or meat are commonly used in Zaokay preparations.

Phokchak (Fokchak)

Phokchak is made by cooking edible leaves inside a bamboo tube. This method not only enhances the flavors of the leaves but also infuses them with a mild bamboo aroma. The dish is often enjoyed for its simplicity and the earthy taste of the bamboo-cooked leaves.

Bikai

Bikai involves baking food with the help of banana leaves. This traditional method helps in locking in moisture and flavor, resulting in a tender and aromatic dish. Foods like fish, meat, or rice can be wrapped in banana leaves and then baked.

Aotaykay

Aotaykay is a dish prepared solely with water, without any added oil or fat. This method highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients, often using vegetables or fish. It’s a simple, healthy, and light dish.

Bamchi Kali

Bamchi Kali is a curry made from powdered rice. This powder acts as a thickening agent, giving the curry a smooth and creamy texture. Bamchokhali, another variation, uses grained rice instead and is typically enjoyed as a curry with regular meals.

Meba/Mikhi

Meba or Mikhi is prepared from bamboo shoots. These shoots are harvested when they are young and tender, and then cooked in various ways such as boiling, fermenting, or stir-frying. Bamboo shoots have a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.

Insects and Bugs

Crickets: Often fried or roasted for a crunchy snack.

Grasshoppers: Cooked in various ways, including frying and roasting.

Water Giant Bugs (Bellostoma): Typically boiled or roasted, known for their unique flavor.

Termites: Eaten roasted or fried, providing a nutty taste.

Red Ants:

Consumed for their tangy flavor, often used in chutneys.

Beetle Larvae: Eaten fried or roasted.

Pupa of Insects: Cooked and eaten in various forms.

Water Skaters (Gerridae):Usually fried or boiled.