---
title: "Authentic Naga Ingredients in Mumbai | Direct from Nagaland"
description: "Taste authentic Naga flavors in Mumbai. We source our Raja Mircha, Axone, and wild herbs directly from Nagaland farmers to bring you the real taste of home."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/from-nagaland-with-love-our-ingredients
last_updated: 2026-02-23
---

# Our Naga Ingredients: The Soul of Our Kitchen

Tribe Verified · Directly sourced from Nagaland farmers' markets

By [Naga Belly](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly) · Dine-in at Naga Belly restaurant in Andheri West, Mumbai · ₹550 per person (estimate)

Part of [Naga Cuisine Restaurant](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/gallery)

We don't just cook food; we bring a piece of home to Mumbai. Every spice and herb in our kitchen comes straight from the farmers' markets of Nagaland.

## Photos and videos

- ![A glimpse into a farmers' market in Nagaland, where we source many of our ingredients. You can see jars of fermented bamboo shoot, fresh Raja Mircha, and local greens being sold by the women who grow them.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/de1c4095-9835-42fc-a262-ff91db003d85)
- ![A woman at a market in Nagaland carrying a heavy basket of freshly harvested greens on her back. This is a common sight and a testament to the hard work of the local farmers who supply our ingredients.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/080d34a7-f6bb-4971-a33e-809f65d0062a)
- ![These are Sumac berries, a key ingredient in our cooking that adds a tangy, lemony flavor. Harvested wild in Nagaland, these berries are dried and powdered to be used in everything from marinades to traditional remedies.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b90b0832-75ca-41ee-970a-d112e0a446f9)
- ![A pile of fresh, local red ginger, one of our chef's favorite ingredients. This ginger is more pungent and flavorful than the common variety, adding a special kick to our dishes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/447c7b53-0681-4edf-a96e-8aafc42d4d7f)
- ![A beautiful arrangement of fresh Naga ingredients on a woven bamboo tray. This includes Raja Mircha, bitter eggplant, kidney beans, taro, and various wild greens, all essential to our cuisine.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/41c70df4-0c55-4cbd-ad6c-8d0aac8fcff1)
- ![A basket overflowing with a fresh harvest from Nagaland. It contains smoked pork, wild greens, and local fruits, representing the bounty of the land that we bring to your plate in Mumbai.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c2e300da-bd6a-4e84-be89-8c5596ea819e)
- ![A stall at a Naga market filled with fresh produce like green beans, cherry tomatoes, and bundles of leafy greens. We believe in using the freshest ingredients to create the most flavorful food.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/10da24e3-0970-4307-974e-2a587325f455)
- ![More treasures from a Nagaland market, including local pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and other wild vegetables. The vibrant colors show the freshness and quality of the produce we use.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ecfa2af4-2b15-4564-814f-30cf369adf08)
- ![An overview of a bustling indoor market in Nagaland. This is where the stories of our food begin, with farmers from faraway villages bringing their harvest to sell.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/62f7c496-3267-4754-bd3b-871c3f4ce5ce)
- ![A wooden plate filled with local red ginger. Its unique aroma and potent flavor are indispensable in our kitchen for creating authentic Naga curries and chutneys.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f42509b6-46f0-4972-bcfe-a9e91a7b3782)
- ![A closer look at our ingredient platter, showing the variety of items we use. From sticky black corn to dried Zanthoxylum seeds, each element adds a unique taste that is distinctly Naga.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0c2e24ed-69d9-4e71-a591-b98725c23fb3)
- ![A basket of dried Sumac berries, spilling over. This versatile ingredient is used not only as a spice but also in traditional medicine as a digestive aid.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a7b18d70-3865-4a7b-a26a-f40f97fe53ea)
- [Video: Sifting through a fresh batch of Sumac berries. This tangy ingredient grows wild in Nagaland and is a staple in our kitchen for adding a balanced, citrusy note to our dishes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1f4eaa22-af60-460a-99eb-26f50ef06cff)
- ![Bundles of foxtail millet for sale at a local market. We are always searching for new and exciting ingredients from Northeast India to bring back to our kitchen in Mumbai.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/76e45771-caa5-41d9-9995-6b2f775b366a)
- ![Freshly harvested beans and seeds at a market. The labels indicate different local varieties, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Nagaland's produce.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07b23244-633b-4c2e-8fd2-ad5ef07364d9)
- ![Bunches of wild Allium Chinense, a type of flowering chive, at a market stall. These ingredients add a unique, subtle flavor to our traditional boiled dishes and salads.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/804ee1c5-8332-4bc8-b96a-bac29b64a451)
- ![Freshly picked leafy greens, a staple in the Naga diet. We use a variety of wild and foraged leaves in our cooking, often simply boiled to retain their natural flavor and nutrients.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8a266fa1-3d92-4c85-a29b-1805f8a369ea)
- ![This is smoked eel, a delicacy in Nagaland. It is carefully dried and smoked, then coiled and tied for sale at the market, ready to be used in rich, flavorful curries.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fd23ffcc-0a00-43f9-baee-32f8d91bec7b)
- ![A bowl of dried grasshoppers, a traditional and protein-rich food source in Nagaland. While not on our current menu, it shows the diversity of ingredients we explore on our trips home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d90f739a-9907-44c1-b740-97700c06ea92)

## About From Nagaland, With Love: Our Ingredients

Getting authentic flavor in Mumbai is difficult without the right base, so we avoid local wholesalers entirely. Instead, we have our ingredients like Axone, Raja Mircha, and wild herbs shipped directly from farmers in Nagaland. When you taste our curries, you are eating the exact same spices our grandmothers used back in Dimapur.

The soul of our food lies in the ingredients we bring back from home. We believe that if you want to serve authentic Naga cuisine, you cannot take shortcuts with the spice profile. That is why our kitchen is stocked with Raja Mircha for that signature fiery heat, and pungent Axone, which provides the deep umami flavor found in our traditional stews.

We also rely on wild ingredients like Sumac, locally known as Tenga powder, to add a balanced, tangy citrus note that is far more natural than store-bought lemon or vinegar. Our Anishi, or smoked taro leaves, gives our curries a complex, earthy depth that is distinct to the region. We are fortunate to work with farmers who travel from faraway villages to bring us these goods, carrying the stories of their harvest, misty hills, and traditional farming practices.

By avoiding processed substitutes, we ensure that every plate served in our Andheri space retains the honesty and heart of our culture. It is not just about the food; it is about preserving the heritage of the farmers who tend to these crops.

## About Naga Belly

We are Aren and Juliet, childhood buddies from Dimapur who started Naga Belly in our Andheri home kitchen during lockdown. Our goal is simple: to share the food we grew up eating with our Mumbai family. We treat every guest like someone coming over for dinner at our home.

[See all of Naga Belly's services](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly)

## More from Naga Cuisine Restaurant by Naga Belly

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/featured)
- [The Heart of Our Menu: Pork Specialties](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/the-heart-of-our-menu-pork-specialties)
- [Chicken, Fish & Prawns](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/chicken-fish-prawns)
- [The Naga Thali Experience](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/the-naga-thali-experience)
- [Our Handcrafted Ferments & Drinks](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/our-handcrafted-ferments-drinks)
- [Vegetarian & Side Dishes](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/vegetarian-side-dishes)
- [Our Story, Our Space](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/our-story-our-space)
- [Our Community of Guests](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/our-community-of-guests)
- [Festivals, Pop-Ups & Celebrations](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/festivals-pop-ups-celebrations)
- [As Seen In: Awards & Press](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/naga-cuisine-restaurant/as-seen-in-awards-press)

## More services by Naga Belly

- [Catering & Special Events](https://mytribe.in/naga_belly/catering-special-events)

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## Book

To book Naga Belly, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20ingredients%20collection.%20I%20would%20love%20to%20try%20an%20authentic%20Naga%20meal%20at%20Naga%20Belly.%20Are%20you%20open%20for%20dinner%20today%3F)
