If you’re planning a Skardu tour in 2025, you’re probably dreaming about snow-covered peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and breathtaking valleys. But there’s another hidden gem of the region that travelers often overlook — the local food.
Baltistani cuisine is simple yet hearty, made with natural ingredients and packed with flavor. Influenced by Tibetan, Central Asian, and Pakistani culinary traditions, the food in Skardu is unlike anything else in Pakistan.
This guide takes you through the must-try dishes during your Skardu Honeymoon Tour, family vacation, or 3-day trip to Skardu from Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad.
🍲 1. Balay – The Ultimate Comfort Food
Balay is the soul of Baltistani kitchens. It’s a hot noodle soup made with handmade wheat noodles, cooked in a rich broth of beef bones, fat, and local herbs. Served steaming hot, it’s the perfect dish to warm you up in Skardu’s chilly evenings.
This dish is especially popular among trekkers and travelers coming in from colder destinations like Deosai or Satpara.
Best time to try: Dinner after a long day of sightseeing or hiking.
🫓 2. Mamtu – Baltistan’s Answer to Dumplings
Mamtu is one of the most loved dishes in Skardu. These are steamed meat dumplings stuffed with finely minced beef or mutton, onions, garlic, and spices — wrapped in soft wheat dough.
Served with red chili sauce and yogurt, Mamtu is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
You’ll find small cafes and dhabas across Skardu bazaar that serve Mamtu fresh and hot — especially popular with couples on a Skardu honeymoon tour looking for cozy food experiences.
🫖 3. Butter Tea (Tsaza)
Butter Tea, known locally as Tsaza, is a traditional drink made by blending tea leaves, salt, and butter — often from yak milk. It may sound strange to first-timers, but it’s incredibly warming and nourishing at high altitudes.
Locals drink it all day, and it’s a must-try for anyone looking to experience authentic Baltistani culture.
🥣 4. Prapu – Energy-Packed and Flavorful
Prapu is a thick porridge-like dish made from wheat flour, apricot oil, and occasionally ground meat. It’s not only delicious but also high in calories — making it a favorite among porters and travelers heading towards trekking destinations like K2 base camp.
If your Skardu tour includes camping or adventure excursions, keep an eye out for this dish.
🥔 5. Sharbat – The Potato Stew You Didn’t Know You Needed
This humble dish is a slow-cooked stew made from potatoes, tomatoes, and locally grown spices. It’s vegetarian, easy to digest, and packed with flavor.
Sharbat is commonly served with roti or khurba, a local bread, and is often enjoyed as a light evening meal.
🧀 6. Marzan – Baltistan’s Traditional Cheese
Marzan is a homemade cheese typically made from goat or yak milk. It has a slightly sour flavor and is often consumed with tsampa (roasted barley flour) or served alongside fresh apricots and walnuts.
Great as a snack for trekkers or for those looking for unique, local foods during a laid-back day in Skardu.
🍬 7. Organic Dry Fruits & Apricot Jam
Skardu is famous for its apricot orchards, and almost every household in villages like Shigar and Khaplu produces its own apricot jam. Pair it with local bread or mix it into your breakfast for a sweet start to the day.
You can also purchase sun-dried apricots, walnuts, almonds, and mulberries — perfect to take back home or gift to friends.
🍽️ Where to Try Traditional Food in Skardu
Shangrila Resort Restaurant: Offers a mix of local and continental dishes, ideal for families.
Cafe De Khaplu: Famous for Mamtu and walnut cake, a hit with honeymooners.
Local roadside dhabas: For authentic Balay, Prapu, and Tsaza in budget-friendly servings.
Shigar Fort Guesthouse: Offers local dishes in a heritage setting — great for culture-lovers.
👨👩👧👦 Food Tips for Families and First-Timers
Ask your hotel for local dish recommendations — most offer freshly made meals.
Let your taste buds adjust — some dishes like Butter Tea are acquired tastes.
Avoid raw food or unfiltered water — always opt for cooked meals and bottled water.
Try something new each day — Baltistan’s cuisine is vast and full of surprises.
🧳 Food in Skardu Tour Packages
Whether you’re booking a Skardu tour from Islamabad, a family tour from Lahore, or a honeymoon trip from Karachi, many tour packages now include food experiences as part of their itinerary.
From organic farm visits to heritage lunches at forts, Skardu food tourism is rising fast in popularity.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Skardu isn’t just about nature — it’s also a culinary journey. Its traditional dishes are warm, filling, and rooted in centuries of culture. To fully experience the magic of this region, don’t just visit the lakes and forts — taste the land as well.
So next time you find yourself sipping Butter Tea under a walnut tree or biting into a steaming dumpling in a mountain café — remember, you’re not just on a tour, you’re tasting a legacy.
