A Food Lover's Guide to Balti Cuisine

A trip to Skardu is a feast for the eyes, but it should also be a feast for your taste buds! The traditional Balti cuisine is unique, hearty, and perfectly suited to the mountain climate. Here are some must-try dishes.

Mamtu (Dumplings)

These are steamed dumplings filled with minced beef or lamb, onions, and local spices. They are a staple in Baltistan and make for a delicious and comforting meal, especially after a day of exploring.

Dowdo (Soup)

Perfect for a cold evening, Dowdo is a hearty noodle soup. It's typically made with chicken or beef broth, hand-made noodles, vegetables, and chunks of meat. It's the Balti version of chicken noodle soup—and it's incredibly satisfying.

Gyal (Minced Meat Dish)

A traditional dish of minced meat (lamb or beef) cooked with local spices. It's often served with a generous dollop of local butter or apricot oil on top, alongside traditional flatbread.

Phitti (Buckwheat Bread)

Buckwheat is a staple grain in the high altitudes of Baltistan. Phitti is a traditional flatbread made from buckwheat flour, often cooked on a flat iron pan. It has a unique, nutty flavor and is incredibly nutritious.

Butter Tea (Gur Gur Chai)

You can't leave Baltistan without trying the famous butter tea. It's a salty, creamy tea made by churning tea leaves, salt, and yak butter together. It might sound unusual, but it's a vital source of warmth and energy for the local people and an authentic cultural experience for visitors.

Many of our Skardu tour packages include opportunities to try these local delicacies, either at your hotel or in traditional local eateries.