Dharamshala
Dharamshala
IN 1959, WHEN the 14th Dalai Lama went into exile and moved to India, many a civilian Tibetan followed him and found refuge in different parts of the country. This marked the beginning of the Tibetan settlement in India. Gradually, the hill station of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh became the official hometown of the Dalai Lama. Ever since, Dharamshala and its suburb of McLeod Ganj has become a hub of Tibetan population. Hence, you find the most authentic flavours of soul-stirring Tibetan cuisine here. Think home-style tingmo breads, thenthuks and thukpas (vegetable or meat broths with noodles), yogurt infused curries, sinful deepfried shabhalay (deep fried stuffed mince pockets), and much more. Many restaurants such as the Tibet Fortune Park Moksha offers beautiful views. Kitchen at Jogiwara Road serve these delicacies. Owing to the welcoming nature of the region, people from all over the world have come to call Dharamshala home. And so, unsurprisingly, multi-cultural cafes have added to its enticing culinary landscape. Some of the popular names include Illiterati (illiteratibooksandcoffee.wordpress.com), Namgyal Café, Woeser Bakery, and Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen.