Piggy delights: Guwahati gearing up for a major fiesta on Christmas, New Year

How is Guwahati, considered the gateway to the Northeast Indian region, preparing to feast this festive season?

Guwahati: Whether you roast it, dry it, ferment it, or pickle it, pork remains a firm favourite in the Northeast Indian region, which accounts for about 70% of pork consumption in the entire country. With Christmas and New Year festivities drawing nearer, pork dishes seem set to indulge the taste buds, and food entrepreneurs in Guwahati are looking to make the most of it.

‘Local Oink’, a fine dining restaurant in the Assam capital, is known for its unique plethora of pork dishes, both local and international. Their pre-Christmas buffet pairs local favourites such as pork ribs, fire-roasted pork, and Tripura’s famous wahan mosdeng with international delicacies such as pork ham slices and pork belly served with onion cream.

Owner Jyoti Gayon, who curated this salivating menu herself, fuses her experience in hotel management and European cuisine to deliver a unique experience to food connoisseurs. During her stint in the corporate sector, Gayon worked closely with teams to curate menus for weddings and corporate events before heading back to her hometown, Guwahati, during the COVID-19-induced lockdown.

“In the Northeast, pork is one of the most-loved dishes, and that is what I want to celebrate," Gayon, 38, shared with Business North East. Gayon’s pork-centric eatery started as a small 16-seater establishment, which, through refurbishments, has expanded to be able to accommodate 26 people. According to Gayon, since pork is “versatile” and can absorb all sorts of flavours, it can cater to anyone’s taste buds.

“We usually handle more footfall during Christmas and New Year and are already gearing up for the holiday season with great gusto," Iftikar Ahmed, the manager of ‘Michinga’, a restaurant chain specializing in Northeast Indian delicacies operating two outlets in Guwahati, informed Business North East. “To settle into the festive mood, we have adorned our outlets with decorative items, which serve as a major attraction for customers," Ahmed added.

Chef-cum-restaurateur Atul Lahkar, a household name in Assam, believes this year’s festivities will be marked by grilled pork and duck, both eternal winter delicacies. “Each year, we see a spike in demand for bar-be-cue options and grilled meat during the winters," Lahkar, who owns ethnic eateries ‘Heritage Khorika’ and ‘Hurung, shared with Business North East.

Lahkar, however, notes that Guwahati does not yet have the kind of Christmas culture observed in other larger cities, such as Kolkata. “Over the years, I have observed that not many people venture out for big meals on Christmas. Instead, people here seem to prefer the quiet solitude of home with their loved ones," he told Business North East.

Although establishments serving alcohol register massive business on New Year’s Eve, another big celebration here, business is more subdued in eateries without the option. “Business, however, usually booms on January 1 as more families venture out of their homes for quality time outside for good food and good company," said Lahkar.

Lahkar is mainly known for his mastery of ethnic cuisine, but he has a few cards up his sleeve for the festival season ahead. “We are thinking of introducing a line of cakes at our Hurung joints. Apart from that, we will continue to churn out our well-known bar-be-cue items, usually a big draw this time of the year.”