My travels through Nagaland have taken me to remote villages, tribal hamlets, misty ridges, and warm hearths — but nothing prepared me for the unforgettable evening in Kohima when my host, Akono, handed me a steaming mug and said with a smile, “This will make you strong.”

The aroma was earthy and warm. At first sip, it tasted similar to chicken soup, but it was different — richer, with more flavour, and a unique pungent aftertaste. The drink was cloudy and golden in colour. Then she brought me a large plastic bag full of small and medium-sized frogs.

“This is frog soup. It is a tradition of Nagaland,” she said, smiling, while I stood puzzled with a hot mug of frog broth in my hand. The frogs were alive, jumping over each other to my amusement. As she opened the bag, a few leapt out and began hopping across the floor.

Akono jumped from side to side trying to catch them, putting them back into the bag, but they kept escaping. After a lot of struggle, she finally managed to get all the jumping frogs inside and left the room a little sheepishly.

A Rare Culinary Encounter

In Nagaland, food is more than nourishment — it is culture, medicine, heritage, and identity. Frog soup is one such delicacy, treasured for generations. As I stood in the cosy room, the cold Kohima night pressing against the window panes, Akono explained the tradition with pride.

Frog Soup in Kohima

“Our elders always told us that frog soup has healing qualities. In Nagaland we use frog skin to heal burns and sharp cuts. It is also great for joint pains and bone strength. We get them from the market — we have frog farms where frogs are raised,” she informed me as I slowly sipped the soup.

In no time, I got used to its taste and began to enjoy it. The flavour was gentle and comforting; it gave my body strength and warmth, perfect for tackling the cold. The pictures I took captured my mood perfectly.

Benefits of Frog Soup

According to my host, a Naga lady in her forties, frog soup helps with:

• Common colds and cough
• Strength and stamina
• Body warmth in cold, wet mountain weather
• Immunity and general weakness

So after eating ferrets, pigeons, fowl, and duck, I was now feasting on frog soup. Nagaland is a hardcore tribal region with a very distinctive culture, and it truly stands out.

A Cultural Experience, Not Just a Meal

As I stood there, holding the mug wrapped in the warmth of the broth, I felt truly connected with Kohima. Its rugged honesty mirrored that of my own emotions. I am really enjoying being here, loving the hills and their mountain views.

It wasn’t just frog soup — it was hospitality, tradition, and stepping out of my comfort zone to embrace something deeply local.