Last I travelled to Bihar was in January 2022 and it was all about exploring the rich tradition and culture of the state. Welcome to the land of vibrant culture and delectable cuisine—Bihar. Known for its rich heritage and historical significance, Bihar also offers a remarkable culinary journey that will leave you craving for more. In this blog, we'll dive into some of the best food finds in Bihar, from lip-smacking street food to traditional dishes that reflect the state's authentic flavors. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a gastronomic adventure through Bihar's culinary landscape.
Bihar is famous for it's never-ending authentic recipes and the state serves an amazing balanced diet. Dal Bhaat Chokha has personally been my comfort food since the childhood and I have totally loved the concept of Litti Chokha! They have food originating since 2000 years ago that are prevalent even till date. A few of them are mentioned below that I have personally tried and LOVEDDDD! These are so mouth-watering and droolicious that while your stomach will be full, your heart will still crave for more.
1. LITTI CHOKHA
No trip to Bihar is complete without savoring the famous Litti Chokha. A traditional dish made with wheat dough stuffed with a spiced mixture of roasted gram flour (sattu), herbs, and spices, Litti is baked until golden brown. It is served with a smoky roasted eggplant and potato mash called Chokha, accompanied by a tangy tomato chutney and pickles. This rustic dish is a true Bihari delight that will leave you craving for more. Litti Chokha is the regional and staple dish of Bihar. Not only is it a complete balanced meal, but it also brings loads of protein in one's diet. It is made with least number of resources and yet tastes the best!
2. DAAL BHAAT CHOKHA
Daal Bhaat Chokha is the most comforting and staple food of Bihar (as mentioned earlier too). Daal (preferably yellow daal) is made in it's most easy form and is served with boiled rice (bhaat). Chokha is a delicacy which is made of boiled and mashed potatoes. Onions, salt and other spices are added later to it. This meal is a complete balanced diet which consists of carbohydrates, protein, fats and minerals.
3. CHAMPARAN MEAT / AHUNA / HANDI MUTTON
As the name suggests, this mutton hails from a district in Bihar named Champaran. It is cooked in mud Handi and tastes best. The mutton is basically marinated in a mix of mustard oil, ghee, garlic, onions, ginger with a paste of yummy spices. It is then covered with a lid and the lid is sealed with kneaded flour.
4. SATTU
A super power drink - sattu is powder of roasted chana and it is made in so many ways. It is full of protein and this drink in itself is a complete meal! It is usually made in a salty form or even in a sweet form. 4 tablespoons of sattu is mixed in a glass of water and then sugar/salt is added to the mixture. It works as a refreshing drink in summers. Or Sattu Paratha is another popular culinary gem of Bihar. It is a stuffed flatbread made with a filling of roasted gram flour (sattu) mixed with spices, onions, and herbs. The parathas are cooked on a tawa (griddle) until golden brown and served hot with a dollop of ghee (clarified butter), curd, or pickle. The wholesome flavors and the nutty taste of sattu make this dish a must-try for every food enthusiast.
5. CHANA GHUGNI
Also called as the Indian Black chickpea, Bengal gram or Desi Chickpea, ghugni is a very well known dish in Bihar. Bihari style ghugni is made using this kale chane and boiled till soft. It is very high in protein and makes an amazing meal / snack. Post boiling, required spices are added and it is served piping hot along with onion and coriander garnished on the top.
6. MAKHANA KHEER OR ROASTED MAKHANA
Roasted makhana or fox nuts crushed or non-crushed added to boiling milk and is cooked for a few minutes. This is an easy and popular dish in Bihar because of the need of less resources and the best sweet dessert / pudding. The flavours of ghee comes bursting in the mouth! Lacha Makhana, also known as roasted foxnuts, is a healthy snack widely enjoyed in Bihar. These popped lotus seeds are roasted with ghee, sprinkled with salt and spices, and roasted until they become crispy. Lacha Makhana is a guilt-free indulgence that offers a unique blend of flavors and a satisfying crunch.
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| Source: @ticklingpalates |
7. KHAJA
Khaja is a famous sweet delicacy from Bihar, particularly popular in the city of Bhagalpur. It is a flaky, layered pastry made with refined flour, ghee, and sugar syrup. The preparation involves deep-frying the dough until it turns crispy and golden, followed by soaking it in sugar syrup to infuse sweetness. Khaja melts in your mouth, leaving behind a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Well known in Bihar as khaja, if I come forward to define this sweet dish in English words, I would say that this is a deep-fried (kind of crispy) sweet which is later soaked in hot sugar syrup.
8. TIKRI OR THEKUA
Thekua is a traditional Bihari cookie-like sweet that holds a significant place in festivals like Chhath Puja. It is made with wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, mixed with various dry fruits and spices. The dough is shaped into discs or intricate patterns and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Thekua offers a delightful combination of sweetness and crunch, making it a perfect accompaniment to your cup of tea. You can call this sweet cookies or biscuits in your language, but in Bihar, this is known as TIKRI/THEKUA. It is made of maida and sugar. These are made in maithil homes and we love to carry them wherever we go as our all-time favourite snack.
9. MALPUA
Usually made with Maida/wheat flour, sugar/jaggery and cardamom, malpuas are basically Indian version of pancakes which are widely eaten and popular in Bihar. It is cooked in ghee and is so fluffy and crispy that I just loved it! Many a times, it is also served with rabdi over the top to enhance the taste.
10. BAALUSHAHI
If I were to replicate balushahi with an American dish, i would ideally say that it looks a lot like donuts! Yes, trust me! It is an Indian traditional dessert which obviously originated from the Indian Subcontinent and gained a lot of popularity in Bihar. It is also very similar to the ingredients to that of a donut but differs a lot in texture since it is deep fried and later put into sugar syrup.
Bihar's culinary treasures are a testament to the rich flavors and culinary heritage of the state. From the savory Litti Chokha to the delightful sweets like Khaja and Thekua, Bihar's cuisine offers a diverse range of dishes that will leave you wanting more. So, the next time you find yourself in Bihar, don't miss the opportunity to explore these culinary gems and immerse yourself in the flavors of this culturally-rich land. Happy eating!
Instagram Reel Reference - https://www.instagram.com/diptijha3/guide/village-cooking-series-s01/17947746388971874/
https://www.instagram.com/diptijha3/guide/village-cooking-series-s02/17967574663653028/
taken back to my childhood days
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