Eating SNAIL CURRY, DUCK CURRY & KANGSOI with Dried Fish in Manipur I Grilled Chicken wth Chang Beer

IMPHAL
In this penultimate episode of our Manipur food series, we went on a brief non veg street food tour across the locality of Khagenpalli in Imphal which was then followed by the making and tasting of two classic Meitei recipes - Tharoi Thongba (snail curry) and kangsoi presented to us by our charming and knowledgeable host cum friend Ammo from Living Manipur.

Khagenpalli had evolved into a food hub dotted with numerous take away shops both big and small selling a variety of non veg dishes.
The lively atmosphere and array of options caters to the locals craving for spicy and zesty stuff. Here we tried a delicious duck curry at Tutu Food Corner and a brilliant grilled chicken at Q Point.

Our eating spree continued with the two traditional Meitei recipes that Ammo presented us at his home. The star of the show was the Tharoi Thongba, a sumptuous snail curry that tantalized our taste buds with its unique flavors. This dish, expertly prepared by Ammo showcased the depth of Manipuri culinary heritage. The key elements of the dish were ngari (fermented fish), yongchak (tree beans), potatoes, loklei, dried red chillies, small dried fish, chives and winged prickly ash leaves (mukthrubi). We had a hard time eating the snail but Ammo came for the rescue by breaking it and taking the meat out. He effortlessly sucked it out of the shell.

Next came a classic Meitei delight known as Kangsoi. This no oil veg dish introduced us to the simple and dominant flavors of Manipuri cuisine that had a lasting impression on our palates.

Throughout this episode, Ammo amicably guided us through the culinary treasures of Manipur.

**Despite the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, we made a conscious yet hard decision to proceed with our food video series from the state which was filmed between 30th Jan and 3rd feb 2023.

Our intention was to showcase the incredible warmth, love, kindness, camaraderie and enthusiasm we encountered during this immersive visit.

It's essential to acknowledge the complexities the state is going through, but we firmly believe in highlighting the genuine goodness of the people whom we met during this wonderful journey.

Throughout the five-day tour, we encountered a heartwarming display of hospitality, generosity and harmony. We want to reassure that our approach remains sensitive and respectful towards the ordeal being faced by the people of Manipur.**