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Monpas love food and drinks and are considered good eaters.
Alcoholic drinks are popular both amongst men and women. Butter tea is an
integral part of their cuisine. They are non-vegetarians and their food
choice includes Beef, Pork, Yak Meat, Fish, Mutton and Chicken. Some of
the local cuisines are: -
MOMO
Monpas are very fond of this delicacy. It is prepared by stuffing a
mixture of minced meat and onions in dough. These are then steamed for
about half an hour in a three-tiered perforated utensil placed one above
the other, containing water and bone for soup. Momos are taken along with
soup and home made chilly sauce. Vegetable Momo called 'Patan-Momo' is
prepared by stuffing a mixture of green vegetable called 'Maan' or
'Kyiblab', fats of meat, powered chilly, fermented cheese in dough.
ZAN
It is the staple food of the Monpas. It is prepared by adding millet or
any other flour to the boiling water. It is then strived with a flat
wooden implement. It is taken with vegetable or meat items to which is
added fermented cheese or Soyabean as condiment. Chilli is invariably
added to all items.
KHURA
It is a Monpa pancake made of 'Kyab'. Little Chang and required quantity
of water is added to the flour and is stirred till it turns into a thick
paste and is kept near the hearth over night so that the cake becomes
soft. On the next day, with little oil in the pan the paste is spread to
form a circular shape. A teatime delicacy.
GYAPA-KHAZI
Gyapa-Khazi is Monpa version of 'Pulao'. It is prepared by mixing rice,
fermented cheese, small dried fish, chilli, ginger, etc.
THUKPA
This is also the most popular and common dish of the people of Tawang. It
consists of noodles with soup-minced meat. This kind of Thukpa is called "Dre.thuk".
Thukpa made of maize, meat and beans is called "Ashum Thukpa". "Gyapa
Khatzi" made of rice, fermented cheese, small dry fish, chilly,
ginger, etc. is also very popular. Bak-tza is another kind of Thukpa made
in the same style as that of noodles with the difference that instead of
noodles, flat rectangular shape of dough is used. Vegetables are also
added to it for additional flavour.
Other famous Monpa delicacies are Khatzi, Puta, Kyola, Kharang, and
Bak-tza Margu.