To trace out the religious historic past of Odisha, a visit to Odisha and trying out its delectable cuisine is a must. Influenced by the simplicity of Assam and Bengal’s cuisine, North India’s touch of spice makes Odia cuisine more flavorful and unique. Food in Odisha is mostly prepared by using less oil and spices, with the simplest cooking methods that would make you drool over it. Engulfed by fertile plains and prevalence of humid climatic conditions, rice is the staple diet of Odia people that makes their cuisine completely rice-based, stands for deep rooted ethnicity.
Famous Food in Odisha: Explore the Simplicity of Odia Cuisine
Odisha, being enriched with alluvial soil, it’s the home to myriad of crops, legumes, locally grown vegetables that makes a wholesome Odia platter. The Odia cuisine genuinely compliments and uplifts the standard of eastern cuisine in India since it’s considered as the gateway to Easternmost part of India. The platter of authentic food in Odisha is brimmed with varied lentil dishes, veggies, rich and hearty flavors of seafood dipped in various curries.
Here are some of the famous food of Odisha:
- Khichdi
- Dalma
- Chungdi Malai
- Macha Ghanta
- Pakhala Bhata
- Chaatu Rai
- Chenna Poda
- Chakuli Pitha
- Kanika
- Chenna Jalebi
1. Khichdi: The Super Comforting Meal in Every Odia Household
Khichdi, being considered as one of the significant dishes in Odisha since it dates to the age-old tradition of offering prasad to Lord Jagannath at Puri Temple. This wholesome meal revolves around the saga of a lady Karmabai, devotee of Lord Jagannath whose urge to feed Khichdi to Lord Jagannath has turned into a daily ritual in Odia culture. It’s a combination of rice and dal, tossed in ghee that will revive your tastebuds instantly. Though Khichdi can be considered as every Indian’s comfort meal for its nutrition benefits, but it has set a unique cultural identity for the Odia community that stands out in the nation. Now, you can go through places to visit in Odisha to plan your culinary vacation.
Best Restaurant to Try: Jugaad JN, Bhubaneshwar
2. Dalma: The Mouthwatering Delicacy to Tantalize Your Tastebuds
Your meal will be incomplete without Dalma as it elevates the taste of the Odia platter and the highly recommended food in Odisha. Dalma is cooked with roasted moong dal without the usage of garlic and onions, where the freshly added veggies and herbs makes the dish more appetizing and aromatic. This dish is a must try to consume with rice when you are in Odisha. A simple yet tempting dish to win the hearts of many.
Best Restaurant to Try: Dalma, Bhubaneshwar
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3. Chungdi Malai: Feel the Creaminess of Prawn Curry
Odisha's famous food name, Chungdi Malai tops the list in every restaurant of Odisha that serves traditional Odia food. This dish is a non-veg dish where prawn is the main ingredient cooked with coconut milk and tapestry of spices that add a rich creamy and tangy taste. Since coconut milk and prawn blend so well, the dish represents the elegant flavors that set a benchmark for Odia cuisine in the national level.
Best restaurant to Try: Available in all major restaurants that serve Odiya cuisine
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4. Macha Ghanta: The Heart of Odiya Cuisine to Make You Feel at Home
Since Odiyas are diehard seafood lovers, fish dishes are popular in their state. This dish is the heart of Odiya cuisine where the fish head is cooked with chana dal and other vegetables to make it more delicious and tempting. Moreover, vegetarians can also enjoy the wholesomeness of this dish by avoiding fish in it. Also offered to Goddess Durga on the day of Dussehra, this fish curry can be devoured with rice and chapati and it would be a sumptuous meal you will ever be reminded of. Pack your bags and get ready for the places to visit in Odisha during summers to devour fresh catch of the day.
Best Restaurant to Try: Hotel Gopal Ballav Road, Berhampur
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5. Pakhala Bhata: The Fermented Rice Relish to Beat the Heat
Often served during summers to refresh oneself, Pakhala Bhata is the go-to meal option for the Odiyas. Left-over rice is the main ingredient soaked in water overnight and consumed with fried potatoes, fried fish, papad, and other non-vegetarian side dishes. This quintessential dish traces out the history of old agricultural practices that enhance Odisha’s cultural significance. As Pokhala was first introduced in Odisha, 20th March is observed as “Pakhala Dibasa” by the Odiya community to promote their classic meal that provides detailed Odisha food information.
Best Restaurant to Try: Michael's Kitchen, Bhubaneshwar
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6. Chaatu Rai: Healthier Food Option to Your Balanced Diet
Chaatu Rai is one of the most important dishes consumed by the Odia community and it’s well-known for the varied health benefits. It consists of veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes and is cooked with an especially prepared mustard paste and turmeric powder. The mustard paste is tangy in taste and adds a burst of flavor to your plate when eaten with rice and chapatis. You can hop around the best restaurants in Odisha to have the best of Chaatu Rai.
Best Restaurant to Try: Dalma, Bhubaneshwar
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7. Chenna Poda: The Classic Odia Cheesecake for Your Happy Meal Ending
Chenna Poda is the most popular dessert option you must try out when in Odisha. It’s prepared from roasted home-made cottage cheese mixed with semolina and sugar syrup, and the recurring burning taste is the secret characteristic of this dish. A minimal, yet a phenomenal food in Odisha that every Odia celebrates during their festive season. Moreover, Chenna Poda is the considered as the favorite sweet dish of Lord Jagannath and its often offered to him.
Best Restaurant to Try: Nimapura Sweets, Bhubaneshwar
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8. Chakuli Pitha: A Distinguished Rice Snack to Fulfill Your Cravings
Chakuli Pitha, often considered as a healthier breakfast or snack option in Odisha. A healthy dish rich in protein prepared from a batter of fermented rice and urad dal, it can be consumed with aloo sabji and jaggery as well according to your favorable tastebuds. Moreover, Chakuli Pitha has a clear resemblance of dosa, but the texture distinguishes its quality and taste. It's softer and thicker comparatively. It’s also one of the much-celebrated dishes of Odisha that would make you fall for the Odia cuisine. Apart from the plate of happiness, you can cherish some surreal moments experienced in the hill stations in Odisha.
Best restaurant to Try: Available in all major restaurants that serve Odiya cuisine
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9. Kanika: The Sweet Pulao of Odisha for Your Gustatory Delight
A sweet-flavored rice recipe, Kanika is considered as the staple food and one among the 56 items in “Chappan Bhog” offered to Lord Jagannath in Odisha. The rice is cooked in ghee and spices, loaded with raisins and cashews as toppings to make it look more vibrant. The combination of ghee and dried fruits adds a flavorful taste and aroma that would linger for a while. To make your Odisha trip more memorable with your beloved one, have a glance at honeymoon places in Odisha.
Best Restaurant to Try: Kanika, Bhubaneshwar
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10. Chenna Jalebi: The Extravagant Sweet Dish to Blow You Away
Chenna Jalebi is the traditional Odia sweet dish that one would like to devour again for the extremeness of flavor. The main ingredient is curd cheese known as “chenna” which is crumbled and has enough moisture in it. A well-kneaded dough is prepared and rolled up to give some distinct shapes and sizes, soaked in sugar syrup, deep fried in pan and ready to serve either hot or chilled. It’s a perfect dessert option in Odisha to satiate your tastebuds. Check out the places to visit in Odisha during winter to rejuvenate your weary soul in the lap of nature, under favorable climatic conditions.
Best restaurant to Try: Available in all major restaurants that serve Odiya cuisine
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Odisha is a perfect option for foodies who are into the exploration of ethnicity and authenticity of local cuisine that would showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage. If you want to embark on a culinary journey, all the above-mentioned food in Odisha are a must try and make you pay recurrent visits to the state. Moreover, there are ample of places to visit in Odisha that should be added to your bucket list to cherish the trip for your lifetime. Hurry up and book Odisha tour packages with us at amazing deals!
FAQs
Odisha is a holy state with a glorified historic past because of the establishment of famous Jaganath Temple at Puri. Most of Odisha’s food is listed in the “Chappan Bhog” offered to Lord Jagannath and mostly influenced by Assamese and Bengali cuisine. Therefore, Odisha’s cuisine is simpler and healthier and that’s what makes it special.
Odisha, being the gateway to the easternmost part of India, one can have a gist about the eastern cuisine through the flavorsome food options. Khichdi, Dalma, Macha Ghanta, Chungdi Malai, Pakhala Bhaat, Chaatu Raai, Chenna Poda, Chakuli Pitha, Kanika, Chenna Jalebi are the most liked food in Odisha.
Odisha has numerous lip-smacking dessert options that can lure someone with sweet tooth. Here are some of the famous desserts found in Odisha:
- Chenna Podda
- Malpua
- Channa Jalebi
- Malpua
- Rasabali
There are a handful of restaurants in Odisha that would offer you a chance to explore the ethnic cuisine. Some of the restaurants to serve traditional food in Odisha are:
- Atithi Devo Bhava
- Odisha Hotel
- Daalma Food Chain
- Juhar, The Kalinga Kitchen
- Shohala Ana Odia
Odisha is well-known for nature’s unparalleled beauty, pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and iconic religious sites. Some of Odisha’s must visit places are:
- Sun Temple, Konark
- Jagannath Temple
- Puri Beach
- Chillika Lake
- Lingaraja Temple
Bhubaneshwar, the Capital of Odisha is the culinary hotspot in Odisha that can offer you plentiful local food options. Moreover, Puri, Berhampur, and Cuttack also have a few restaurants to try out Odiya cusine.
The famous street food found in Odisha is Dahi Vada with Aloo Dum which is a popular breakfast option for the common masses. Vada is served with the Aloo Dum curry, curd, fresh coriander and onions and sprinkled with spices.
A minimum of 5-6 days is required to explore the important destinations in Odisha starting from Bhuwaneshwar, Puri, Berhampur, and Cuttack.
The best time to visit Odisha is during the winters starting from October to February because of the pleasant weather.
Odisha has other non-vegetarian dishes too other than Macha Ghanta and Chungdi Malai. Some of them are:
- Macha Basara
- Kannada Jhola
- Dahi Macha
- Smoked Sardine
- Macha Chenchada
