Ninth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Mizoram is one of the seven states of north-east India. The tribes inhabiting this region are variously known as Mizo, Kuki, Chin and Zo. Though a few bakery restaurants had been established during 1970’s and 1980’s, it is mainly from the last decade of twentieth century and specifically in the last two decades of this century that the modern restaurants were started and became popular. The restaurants have created new tastes in different parts of Mizoram. One of the features of these restaurants is the introduction of menu in a printed form. The other characteristic of these restaurants is catering to the needs of not only different sections of the Mizo society but also to the persons coming from other parts of India and therefore, the food that is served is a hybrid one. There has been in recent times the emergence of fast food restaurants and most important among these is the establishment of KFC. However, it draws consumers from upper strata of the society and educated middle class only. For this social group it is the space for creating cultural capital for them. The modern restaurants have generated a culture of “Eating Out” in Aizawl. However, it is confined only to the affluent social group. Therefore, the modern restaurants have created to some extent a public culture.