Backpacking India 86/129: Eating with Hands - Local Food at Nepal Border Matam Homestay Sikkim

Backpacking India 86/129: Eating with Hands - Local Food at Nepal Border Matam Homestay Sikkim

When it comes to challenging journeys and new experiences in India, Sikkim is one of the destinations mr.hotsia never misses. Here, it’s not just the towering Himalayas or stunning landscapes, but also the authentic lifestyle and culture of the Nepalese people living along the border.

This time, mr.hotsia had the chance to visit a small village called Matam, located in the Nepal border area of Sikkim. Getting here requires a jeep ride from Namchi city. Most travel in Sikkim relies on shared jeep services along mountain routes, which mr.hotsia used throughout the trip.Namchi Cityis the center of South Sikkim, and from here, it’s easy to hop on a shared jeep to nearby villages.

Matam is a small homestay village that still strongly preserves its natural environment and culture. Here, mr.hotsia stayed with a warm Nepalese family and experienced a simple yet meaningful way of life. Eating rice with hands in the Nepalese style here is not just about food; it’s an experience you must try yourself.

Food in Matam focuses on local ingredients such as sticky rice, fresh vegetables from the garden, and curry cooked with local spices that are not too strong. It’s a meal where mr.hotsia felt the care and love from the hosts. Another special aspect is eating with bare hands, which brings a closer connection to the food and the people sharing the meal.

The atmosphere at Matam homestay is peaceful, surrounded by rice fields and high mountains. This view impressed mr.hotsia greatly because it feels like escaping the chaos of big cities and truly experiencing nature.

Travel and Connectivity in Sikkim

For those interested in visiting Sikkim, besides Gangtok, the capital and travel hub, there are other interesting towns like Pelling and Namchi that mr.hotsia recommends stopping by to experience.Gangtokconnects well to other towns via Highway 31A and a comprehensive shared jeep service covering all areas. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, the main gateway to Sikkim.

From Gangtok, mr.hotsia once traveled to Pelling, a small town located at 2,150 meters altitude, and stayed atDahlap Homestaywhich is another destination nature and culture travelers should not miss. Pelling is still full of forests and beautiful temples. It also has a main road connecting conveniently to Namchi, the main town of South Sikkim.

Lifestyle and Local Food at Nepal Border in Matam

Back to Matam village at the Nepal border in Sikkim, eating local food here is something mr.hotsia must say you shouldn’t miss. The food here is clearly different from typical Indian menus, especially the practice of eating rice with hands instead of using cutlery.

The dishes tried included sticky rice mixed with local vegetable curry, crispy fried tofu, and chili paste made from fresh local herbs. The flavors are mild and aromatic with spices, perfectly blending Nepalese and Sikkimese cultures.

Besides the food, sitting down to eat with hands in a small wooden house and chatting with the hosts who speak a mix of Nepali and slow English made mr.hotsia feel the rare warmth and friendliness found in cultural travel.

Memories from the Nepal Border in Sikkim

Although Sikkim is a small state in northern India, its cultural and natural diversity makes it a very interesting destination, especially if you like adventurous travel and want to experience the real life of local people.Backpacking in Sikkimwill not disappoint

mr.hotsia believes that anyone visiting Sikkim and experiencing a homestay like Matam Homestay will see a different perspective from luxury resort travel. Here is real life, a deep learning and understanding of local lifestyles, and support for small communities preserving their culture beautifully.

If you want to experience the atmosphere and local music from Sikkim, you can watch videos recorded by mr.hotsia on YouTube such asBackpacking India 86/129: Eating with Hands - Local Food at Nepal Border Matam Homestay Sikkimor listen to Nepali street songs from Sikkim atPelling Fried Rice, Nepali Songwhich lets you truly absorb the authentic atmosphere here.

For those who want to start a full journey in Sikkim, it’s recommended to begin from Gangtok, then move on to Namchi and Pelling, where there are many homestays and accommodations to choose from.Homestay with Locals in Namchiis another option that mr.hotsia has visited and was very impressed with.

Finally, traveling to Sikkim is not just about mountain climbing or viewing the Himalayas, but also about opening your heart to new cultures and lifestyles. mr.hotsia feels that every step on this path is meaningful, and every word spoken with locals is a friendship hard to forget.