New Delhi — There’s something intoxicating about winter in Delhi: the fog, the nasal drip, the hustle for momos at Humayunpur, and now, a homegrown culinary gem that’s adding serious fire to our chilly plates. Kamei isn’t just feeding us — it’s taking winter food way beyond gajar ka halwa and chai. If you’re cold and hungry with zero patience for butter chicken again, this one’s for you.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Kamei’s Winter Menu
So here’s the meat of the matter — literally. Kamei, the low-key but cult-fav Naga kitchen you may or may not have stalked on Instagram, just dropped its winter specials, and they’re unapologetically fiery, fermented, and full of northeastern soul. Think smoked pork tossed with dry yam leaves, king chili-spiked curries that leave your lips numb, and fermented soybean stews that smell like love (and your neighbour’s disapproval).
Started by Lipok and Arenla, a Naga couple based in Delhi, Kamei began as a modest home kitchen in the nooks of Saket. What makes this winter menu special isn’t just the rare ingredients — like the pungent akhuni or buttery axone beans — but that it’s all made in small batches, without toning anything down for the “Dilli palate.” There’s an unapologetic authenticity here that makes it feel like warm resistance on a cold plate.
This year, their smoked meat inventory is deeper. The signature pork is wood-smoked in-house, a laborious five-day process that ensures flavour that can survive even the harshest Lajpat Nagar critiques. Plus, local northeast greens like ‘pomme’ (Meitei water spinach) and wild mustard are being flown in weekly thanks to a better supply chain set up during the lockdown. And yes — the sticky black rice pudding with local jaggery is back. Praise be.
What This Means for Anyone Who’s Sick of the Same 3 Winter Dishes
For once, South Delhi bros and BTech kids from North Campus can agree — we are done with thukpa, momos, and Maggi being the only ‘winter warmers’ around. Kamei’s winter drop offers relief in the most tangible form: multi-layered spice warmth that hits your bloodstream in under six seconds.
People who work near Nehru Place or Okhla Phase II are already ordering in bulk for chilly team lunches. We spoke to Akriti, a product manager at an ad agency in Panchsheel, who claimed the smoked pork with bamboo shoot “legit brought tears to her eyes — and it wasn’t the spice.” Students across OYO hostels near GTB Nagar are pooling in via Zomato for their smoky meat fix, because there really is no better motivation to attend lectures on a foggy January morning than a simmering dinner waiting at 7 PM.
Also, let’s be honest — northeast food is sorely underrepresented in Delhi. Kamei isn’t just feeding us; they’re educating our palate. And in a city where dhabas outnumber schools (probably), that counts for something.
Kamei’s Humble Start & The Rise of Naga Cuisine in Delhi
What started in 2017 as a side hustle from their Govindpuri apartment has now become one of the city’s most respected regional food brands. Back then, Lipok and Arenla were fed up with being offered “Naga spiced chowmein” at “fusion” eateries. They wanted real food — the kind handed down by mothers and grandmothers, full of stories, not shortcuts.
Initially relying on word-of-mouth, WhatsApp groups in the Northeast student community, and a tiny network of delivery boys, Kamei grew steadily. The pandemic actually accelerated their reach — NRIs and Delhiites alike began ordering meal kits. Now, they’ve partnered with curated food festivals and online marketplaces, cementing their status as the de facto source for smoked meat in winter.
Over time, they’ve refused to dilute the spice levels or omit fermented ingredients that some might find “too strong.” The result? A loyal, spice-hardened customer base who appreciate the full-force kitchen traditions. This winter menu is just the latest expression of that pride.
📍 Spot Check: Kamei delivers across Delhi-NCR, especially popular in Vasant Kunj, Malviya Nagar, CR Park, and Noida Sector 50. Their home kitchen is near Saket Metro Station; keep an eye on their Instagram for occasional weekend pop-ups in Hauz Khas and Shahpur Jat.
The Final Word
This isn’t trendy food. It’s time travel via tastebuds. Kamei’s winter specials aren’t just worth trying — they’re worth rethinking your entire seasonal diet around. It’s a full-bodied, sinus-clearing, culture-rich experience, and honestly, Delhi winters deserve nothing less. If you’re still debating your next dinner plan — butter chicken or biryani — maybe it’s time you gave smoky yam pork a shot. Trust the locals on this one.
Have something to say? Drop a comment below!
#KameiDelhi #WinterMenuGoals #NagaFoodInDilli #SmokedPorkOverload #FermentedAndFabulous
About the Author
