Shillong's Living Room
Police Bazaar isn't just a market — it's the cultural centre of gravity for all of Shillong. Every evening, thousands of locals and tourists converge on its narrow lanes and broad pavements: for food, for music, for shopping, and simply to be part of the city's energy. If you spend a full day in Shillong, you will inevitably pass through Police Bazaar multiple times.
Street Food You Must Try
Pork Rolls & Momos
The local pork roll — slow-cooked pork belly in a warm flatbread with chillies and onion — is Police Bazaar's signature street food. The momo stalls (Tibetan/Nepali dumplings) come a close second, with steamed and fried varieties stuffed with pork, chicken, or vegetable.
Jadoh Stalls
A few stalls near the Bara Bazaar side serve Jadoh — the quintessential Khasi rice-and-pork dish — from huge pots in the morning. Best eaten by 10 AM before it runs out.
Pukhlein
Fried rice flour cakes, slightly sweet and crunchy. Available from vendors with large flat pans near the main intersection. Perfect with a cup of Assam tea.
Bamboo Shoot Pickle
Sold in small plastic bags or glass jars from market stalls — fermented bamboo shoot is a staple Khasi condiment. Buy a jar to take home.
Kwai (Betel Nut)
You'll see vendors selling the local "kwai" combination — betel nut, betel leaf, and lime paste. Most locals chew it after meals. Try it if you're adventurous.
Shopping
Guitar Shops & Music Stores
Police Bazaar has an improbable number of guitar shops for a city its size — a reflection of Shillong's rock music culture. Brands range from affordable local labels to Fender and Gibson. Even if you're not buying, walking into one feels like entering a different world.
Khasi Handicrafts
Look for:
Orchids
Meghalaya is India's "orchid state" with over 325 species. Police Bazaar vendors sell both cut orchids and small potted varieties — excellent souvenirs.
Iewduh (Bara Bazaar)
A 10-minute walk from Police Bazaar, Iewduh is Shillong's oldest traditional market and one of the largest markets in Northeast India. It is matriarch-run — virtually all the traders are women, in keeping with Khasi social traditions. Go for local produce, dried fish, and an authentic slice of daily Khasi life.
Live Music
Police Bazaar's music venues start filling up from 7 PM:
