A new documentary series wants to introduce the rest of India to the Northeast through its food. The Enchanting 8: A Culinary Journey Through the Northeast visits all eight states and tells the story of each through its cooks, its markets and the people who eat there. The trailer was launched in New Delhi on 29 September.
What we know so far
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, who looks after the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), launched the trailer. The series is supported by DoNER and the North Eastern Council. It is produced by Urban Media Productions in association with Filandering Forker Media.
The makers describe it as a food-led journey through the region's communities, with cooking rooted in local, seasonal ingredients. The ministry called it an effort to introduce the Northeast to a wider audience.
What we don't know yet: the number of episodes, the release date, and where it will stream. We'll update this story when that's announced.
Eight states, and no two of them cook the same way.
Our wish list
A series like this has a lot to cover. Here is what we hope makes the cut:
- Assam: a proper thali, with masor tenga, khar and pitha.
- Nagaland: smoked pork with axone or bamboo shoot, and a chutney with raja mircha.
- Manipur: eromba, singju, and chak-hao kheer for dessert.
- Meghalaya: jadoh and dohneiiong at a Shillong food stall.
- Mizoram: bai, the simple, comforting vegetable stew.
- Sikkim: thukpa, momos and sel roti.
- Tripura: mui borok, especially dishes made with berma, a fermented fish.
- Arunachal: bamboo-shoot pickles and smoked meats from the hill kitchens.
Hungry already? Start with our story on the bhut jolokia.
