Paknam

Paknam, a Manipuri steamed pancake made with gram flour, herbs, and Ngari. A healthy, flavorful dish known as Manipuri pizza, loved for generations.

Image: Nickita Khumukcham

Side Dish

Meetei

Steamed

Manipuri

Spicy

Paknam

Saturday, January 27, 2024 1:34:44 PM GMT By : Lukthel /

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Paknam, a Manipuri steamed pancake made with gram flour, herbs, and Ngari. A healthy, flavorful dish known as Manipuri pizza, loved for generations.

6 Ingredients
25 Mins
4 People

Paknam – Manipuri Steamed PancakeThe word Paknam comes from two Manipuri words: pak meaning “flat” and nam meaning “press.” Famous for its taste and uniqueness, Paknam is a traditional steamed food made with vegetables, fish, or meat. Often described as the “salted pancake of Manipur” or even the “Manipuri pizza,” it is both tasty and healthy, enjoyed as a side dish and street food since time immemorial.
Flavor and PreparationPaknam is typically prepared with gram flour (besan), fresh herbs like chives, and flavored with Ngari (fermented fish). The mixture is wrapped in a turmeric leaf and steamed, giving it a distinctive aroma and earthy taste. The result is a savory cake that is moist, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
In this version, we highlight Besan Paknam, where gram flour is the main ingredient. Its nutty flavor and soft texture make it a perfect base for herbs and spices, while the turmeric leaf adds a subtle fragrance.
Cultural ImportancePaknam is a dish that reflects the creativity and resourcefulness of Manipuri cuisine. It is loved by all generations, whether eaten at home, served at feasts, or sold as street food in bustling markets. Its versatility and cultural symbolism make it a must-try for anyone exploring Manipuri food heritage.

Paknam

Preparation Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
25 minutes

Servings
4 servings

Ingredients
6 ingredients

Directions
4 steps

Ingredients

Primary

	2-3 - Turmeric Leaves Take fresh
	4 cups - Besan (Gram floor)
	1/2 cup, chopped - Winter leek
	as required - Salt
	½ a handful - Coriander leaves
	1 tsp - Turmeric powder

Directions

1
Chop all the chives and mix well with turmeric powder.
2
Smash the chopped chives with besan (gram floor) and water, add salt as prefer, and make a shape of rectangular and flat with a thickness of 1 inch approx. Place the smashed mixture on the turmeric leaves and envelope.
3
There are different ways of cooking paaknam, either roast it over a pan or steamed it first and roast it over a pan or backed in an oven. Toaster press can be used instead of using pan. When using oven, steam it for 10-15 minutes.
4
Take out and put on a plate cut into pieces. Now paaknam is ready to serve. Normally Manipuri people used to place it on the surface of rice while cooking and at the end, it's roast over a pan.