Introduction
Bai is a Mizo staple dish made with seasonal vegetables, local herbs, and fermented mustard or pork, known for its clean, earthy flavors and minimal spices.
Ingredients
1 cup spinach or lai saag
1 cup beans, pumpkin, or squash
1 small onion, slit green chilies
1 tsp fermented mustard (bekang) or pork fat
Salt, water
Instructions
Boil all vegetables in water with salt.
Add fermented mustard or pork fat toward the end.
Simmer till everything is soft and broth is flavorful.
Pro Tips
Do not over-spice—let the vegetables shine.
Serving Suggestions
Served hot with sticky rice.
Fun Fact
Every household has its own variation of Bai depending on what’s fresh and seasonal.