Tripuri cuisine facts for kids

Tripuri cuisine is the type of food served in Tripura, in northeastern India. The Tripuris are essentially nonvegetarians and hence the main courses are mainly prepared using meat, but with the addition of vegetables. Traditional Tripuri cuisine is known as Mui Borok. Tripuri food has a key ingredient called Berma which is a small, oil-pasted and dry fermented fish. The foods are considered to be healthy as they are usually prepared mostly without oil.

Basic Tripuri thali

Tripuri food such as bangui rice and fish stews, Muya (Bamboo shoot), local fishes, vegetables, herbs, Batema (this jelly-like food is prepared by making a paste of Batema plant's corm or tuber (Elephant foot yam) with sodium powder and water to remove its raphide. After making the paste into bun-shaped, they are boiled with water containing sodium powder. Since lack of sodium powder cause throat to itch, they are cut into pieces and preferred with fresh pasted garlic, and Mosdeng), wahan moso (prepared by adding boiled pork, onion pieces, salt, pasted ginger and roasted green chilli paste) and roasted meat are extremely popular within and outside the state of Tripura.

Traditional food

The Tripuris are in general non-vegetarian, although some are vegetarians.

The major food items among Tripuris are:

• Chakhwi
• Mwkhwi
• Mwitru

Tripuri rice

Awang Bangwi prepared with Guriya rice

Rice is called Mai in Kokborok. The different varieties of rice used are

• Maisa
• Maimi
• Guriya

Mui Borok

The Tripuri people call their traditional cuisine Mui Borok.

Chakhwi

Chakhwi

• Chakhwi (contains pasted rice and sodium powder)
• Chakhgwi bwtwi
• Chatang
• Champrai

Muitru

Muya Awandru

Awandru, Bwtwi, Hontali, Gudok, Khalok, Uhmai, Pehng, Napehng, Ik, Yokhpra, Sokrang, Maipolok, Yohk, Mur, Sok, Hang, Ser, Irimbak, Mosdeng, Kelua, Mohsotok, Akhata, Aloni, Ruk, Neransi

Gudok

Gudok is prepared by smashing different kind of vegetables.

Mwkhwi (dessert)

• Thentrwi mwkhwi
• Thaiplo mwkhwi
• Belphui mwkhwi
• Dorompai mwkhwi
• Thaihchumu mwkhwi
• Thaihtwi mwkhwi
• Jambi mwkhwi
• Thaihchuk mwkhwi
• Thaihstem mwkhwi
• Daskuiya mwkhwi
• Yasrem mwkhwi

Non-vegetarian ingredients

The major food items of Tripuris include Wahan (pork), Tohhan (chicken), Puhan (mutton), Aah (fish), Aahthuk (prawns or shrimps), Khangrai (crabs), Shindai (mussels), Shikamuk (common periwinkle or turritella communis), Totobuck (pila (gastropod))

Fruits

Tripuri fruits are Komla (Orange), Tháichug (Mango), Yóngphák Mükhüi (Tayberry), Boroi (Jujube), Kusúmai (Longan), Lechu (Lychee), Théntrüi (Tamarind), Tháichumu (Melon), Dórómpai, Mómphol (Watermelon), Mogüdam (Corn).

Vegetables and seasonings

Vegetables grown in Tripuri households are mainly Kháklu (green Wax gourd), Kháklu Borók (whitish Wax Gourd), Phúl Kopi (Cauliflower), Bándá Kopi (Cabbage), Mílog (Bottle gourd), jínga toroi(Pointed gourd), Chakúmúra (Pumpkin), Phántok (Brinjal), Dérso (Okra), Lúbíya or Sóbai (Bean), Mulai (Radish), Phoro (Zucchini), Púitha (Snake gourd), Jíngga (Sponge gourd), Órai, Kósoi (Lima bean), Múi-maising, Khámá, Maising, Síping, Múiching, among many others.

Seasonings and herbs grown are mainly Móso (Chilli), Dónia (Coriander), Kásing Mósla (Culantro), Háching (Ginger), Sütüí (Turmeric), Banta, Milokbanta, Khundrúpui, Üsündüi, Gúnthu, Khumjar, Khumdaga, Khumpui, Khumtüisa.

Food containing raphides are Bátima (Elephant foot yam), Múitul (Elephant ear), Mukkhi (Taro), Tháh or Tháh Dúk (Yam).

Drinks

Traditionally drinks are called chwak in Tripuri.

• Chwak bwtwi
• Chwarak