Thenthuk: The Winter Delight Which Isn’t Just Another Noodle Soup

Winter is my most favourite of all seasons. Of course, it brings with it the holiday season and Christmas-y vibes and all, but what I most look forward to is the variety of foods one can nosh upon. Where summer is the time to load up on chilled drinks, winter is to eat all that you can. Who can see the fat anyway over all the layers of clothing? And I'm glad I love in Delhi – the melting pot of culture not just from across the country but world. What is the one cuisine you cannot find in the capital city of India? From Italy to Korea, it has it all. But let me just admit, that I have a soft spot for all things North Eastern. And therefore, one can often find me curiously strolling through Majnu Ka Tila, the Tibetan colony in Delhi, looking for the next north-eastern delicacy to try.  

North eastern cuisine is full of warm delicacies that are perfect o enjoy during the winter months. Be it the classic steamed momos or the countless delicious soups, you cannot not fall in love with the array of options. Thenthuk, for instance is my very own winter staple. A typical Tibetan noodle soup that keeps the nomads warm during the long Tibetan winters, Thenthuk is pronounced like 'ten-too-k', and is sometimes written as 'Thentuk.’ In Tibetan “then” means pull and “thuk” means noodle, and so it is a hand-pulled noodle soup which is way too popular in Tibet as well as north-eastern regions of India.

Now the origin of Thenthuk is the point of contention between Nepalese and Tibetan community. But if we look at it from the point of view of a noodle soup, Nepalese cuisine already has Thukpa, which consists of chili powder, spices, noodles with other veggies. As per food historians, there has been a lot of culinary exchanges amongst the immigrant Tibetan refugees, which could be the reason for the birth of Thenthuk, which is often viewed as a type of Thukpa. 

The hand pulled noodle soup is named so because we pull out thumb size dough made from All Purpose Flour in order to add it to the boiling broth in the pan. And then let it cook along with the vegetables and meat, if you wish to. Now if you are planning to prepare Thenthuk at home, we have got the perfect vegetable recipe for you to try from scratch. 

Click here for the recipe of Thenthuk. Try at home and share your experience with us.