Bihar is known for its rich and traditional cuisine, which features a wide variety of flavours and dishes. Here are some of the most famous foods from Bihar:
1. Litti Chokha:
Litti is a baked dough ball stuffed with roasted gram flour (sattu) mixed with spices, and it’s served with chokha, which is made from mashed vegetables like roasted eggplant, tomato, and potatoes. This is one of the most iconic dishes from Bihar.
2. Sattu Paratha:
Sattu (roasted gram flour) is a staple in Bihar. Sattu paratha is a stuffed flatbread filled with spiced sattu and served with chutney, curd, or pickles.
3. Chana Ghugni:
A popular snack in Bihar, chana ghugni is a spicy curry made with black chickpeas, cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. It is often eaten with puffed rice or chapati.
4. Thekua:
Thekua is a traditional sweet snack made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. It is deep-fried and often prepared during festivals like Chhath Puja.
5. Dal Pitha:
Dal Pitha is a savoury dish made from rice flour dough filled with spiced lentils. It is steamed and served with chutney, making it a healthy and delicious Bihari delicacy.
6. Khaja:
Khaja is a famous sweet from Bihar, made from refined flour, sugar, and ghee. It is deep-fried to create a crispy texture and has a sugar syrup coating. It is especially popular in the town of Silao near Nalanda.
7. Malpua:
Malpua is a traditional Bihari dessert made with flour, sugar, and milk, deep-fried, and soaked in sugar syrup. It is often served during festivals and special occasions.
8. Balushahi:
A rich, flaky sweet made from dough, deep-fried and dipped in sugar syrup, Balushahi is similar to a glazed doughnut but with a more dense and crispy texture.
9. Kadhi Badi:
This is a popular Bihari dish made with yoghurt-based curry and deep-fried gram flour dumplings (badi). It’s a tangy and flavorful dish, usually served with rice.
10. Tilkut:
Tilkut is a winter-special sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a traditional sweet often consumed during the Makar Sankranti festival.
11. Laai:
Laai is a sweet dish made from puffed rice or beaten rice, mixed with jaggery. It is a light, crunchy treat popular in Bihari households.
12. Parwal Ki Mithai:
This is a unique Bihari sweet made by stuffing pointed gourd (parwal) with khoya (thickened milk), sugar, and nuts. It is a speciality sweet prepared during festive seasons.
13. Bihari Kebab:
Bihar also has its take on kebabs, often marinated in traditional spices and grilled to perfection. It’s a popular snack or appetizer.
14. Chura-Dahi:
Chura (flattened rice) mixed with fresh curd (dahi) is a simple yet popular dish, often eaten during breakfast or as a light meal. Sometimes, jaggery or sugar is added for sweetness.
15. Mutton Curry:
Bihari-style mutton curry is rich, spicy, and full of flavour. It’s often slow-cooked with a blend of spices, and it’s served with rice or a little for a complete meal.
These dishes highlight the diversity and cultural richness of Bihari cuisine, which is a unique blend of spices, grains, and flavours, deeply rooted in tradition.
