Alipurduar, West Bengal

Alipurduar Wild Fern (Kumra) Fry

Wild fern (kumra) fry is a local Alipurduar dish made from the wild fern greens that grow in the district's forested hills, celebrated for the region's forest biodiversity and the foraging traditions of its communities, including the Bodo people of the Alipurduar hills. It is a vegetarian street-market special that highlights ingredients found only in this part of North Bengal. Buyers get a distinctive forest-vegetable dish rarely available outside the district.

Typical price: ₹50-300

Buying tip: Best bought during the spring fern season when foragers supply the local bazars; it is a fresh-cooked dish, so eat immediately.