Assamese food is the reason to eat in Guwahati. It is unlike anything else in India: sour and tangy from khar (alkaline plantain ash), fragrant with mustard oil, fermented and pungent, fish-led, and surprisingly light. Look for thalis with rice, dal, fish curry, alu pitika (mashed potato with mustard oil), khar, and tenga (sour fish curry). Bamboo shoot, pork, and duck appear on more adventurous menus.