Indigenous foods are vital for nutritional security in developing countries, offering accessible and diverse dietary options. Allium hookeri Thwaites, a traditional vegetable among Northeast India’s tribal communities, is known for its dual role as food and medicine. Abundant in organosulfur compounds and other bioactive molecules, it demonstrates a range of therapeutic effects such as anti-ulcer, anti-obesity, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity. Compared to the commonly consumed onion (Allium cepa), A. hookeri contains greater levels of protein, fiber, vitamin C and phytochemicals while exhibiting lower fat content, attributes that highlight its potential as a functional food.