Backpacking India 110/129: Enjoying Assam Sour Curry Eating ASSAM local food

Backpacking India 110/129: Enjoying Assam Sour Curry Eating ASSAM local food

When talking about India, many might think of big western cities like Mumbai or Bangalore filled with technology. But for me, mr.hotsia, this trip takes you deep into Northeast India, Assam state, where local culture and food flavors remain traditional and fascinating. Especially the Indian sour curry, known locally in Assam as “Khar,” which has a sour, salty, and mildly spicy taste that once tried, you can hardly put your spoon down.

Traveling in Assam for mr.hotsia is not easy because most areas are rural and mountainous. But that is the charm of backpacking in India — when you truly experience the villagers’ lives, you see the real way of life and genuinely taste home-style food.

This time I started from a local market in a small town in Assam. It was full of vibrant fresh vegetables, local herbs, and foods hard to find in big cities. I passed by many vegetable stalls selling varieties I had never seen before, like large green leafy mustard greens with a unique aroma and local tomato varieties with a richer flavor than the ones we usually know.

The highlight of eating here is the “Indian sour curry” or Khar, made from local vegetables such as ridge gourd, pumpkin, eggplant, and beans mixed with local herbs and spices that give a sour and slightly spicy flavor. Essential to this dish is the use of “sugarcane juice” or “fermented liquid” which adds richness and uniqueness. I tried it with hot steamed rice and grilled fish in a local style. The combination of sour, sweet, and spicy flavors made every bite refreshing and joyful.

Besides the food, I also talked with villagers at the market. They shared how cooking methods have been passed down through generations and their simple lifestyle deeply connected with nature. Some even invited me to try Assam’s unique fresh-brewed tea from nearby tea plantations, an experience you can’t find in big cities like Bangalore or Mumbai.

For those interested in traveling in Northern India, I recommend reading more aboutTraveling to Darjeelingwhich is not far from Assam. Darjeeling is famous for its mountain views and beautiful nature. If you have a day or two, a trip there will complete your Northern India journey perfectly.

Also, if you enjoy city travel and want to see different lifestyles in India, I suggest followingBackpacking Bangalorea tech city filled with beautiful gardens and diverse local restaurants. Or if you like historic port cities likeMumbaiyou will see a completely different side of India.

For me, mr.hotsia, eating Indian sour curry in Assam was not just tasting food but an opportunity to experience the culture, lifestyle, and authenticity of local people who still preserve their unique identity and flavors impressively.

If you want to follow my exciting eating journey in Northern and Northeast India, I recommend watching this video.Backpacking India 110/129: Enjoying Assam Sour Curry Eating ASSAM local foodIt records sights and sounds that help you truly feel the atmosphere of eating and traveling in this area.

Finally, for anyone interested in a complete Northern India trip and wanting to know about breakfast, hotels, or lifestyles in cities like Dibrugarh, don’t forget to check out great stories from mr.hotsia in the articleBackpacking Northern India 6/45: Indian Breakfast, Hotels in Dibrugarh dibrugarh hotelwhich will help prepare you before your actual trip.

Traveling with mr.hotsia this time is not just about food but about discovering and learning the true culture of India hidden in the corners of Assam, waiting for us to experience and bring back full memories.