Hugging the east coast of India, Odisha or Orissa is a beautiful state known for its rich history and vibrant culture. From temples and historical attractions to zoological parks and beaches, Odisha has them all. However, there’s one more thing that makes this state so famous among many and that is the mouth-watering Odia cuisine. Odisha is a delight for foodies, offering a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies available at different eateries. Although Odia cuisine is simple, the foods are flavourful, wholesome and easy on the palate.
If you are a culinary enthusiast who likes to relish local dishes, the following recommendations for the best foods of Odisha will come in handy during your trip to the state.
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Dalma
Dalma is nothing but nutritious dal prepared the Odia way. In Odisha, dal is prepared differently, and the taste is totally drool-worthy. The delicacy is made with roasted yellow moong dal, ginger, green chillies, and some chopped vegetables like onions, potatoes, pumpkin, raw papaya and carrots. Dalma is tempered with ghee and a range of spices, such as cumin seeds, bay leaf, dry red chillies and panch phoran, and garnished with shaved coconut and chopped coriander leaves. This popular food of Odisha tastes best with hot rice and some crispy papads.
Chungdi Malai
This delicious prawn curry is a delicacy in Odisha and a must-try for every non-veg lover. It is rich, creamy and flavourful, thanks to the choicest of ingredients used for preparing it. Chungdi malai is made with coconut milk, onions, ginger and a range of Indian spices, like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, cumin, and red chilli powder. It is garnished with chopped coriander leaves and served with some steaming hot basmati rice
Pakhala Bhata
Pakhala bhata is a special dish relished by almost every household in Odisha. It is prepared in a unique way and the taste is quite amazing. To make pakhala bhata, cooked rice is soaked in a mixture of sour curd, cumin seeds, mint leaves, coriander leaves and water, and left overnight. The same is relished the next day with fried fish, roasted vegetables, potatoes, papad and raw onions. Besides being appetising, this kind of fermented rice is quite nutritious and perfect for beating the heat. The dish is so famous that 20th March is celebrated as Pakhala Divas or Pakhala Day in the state. On this day, locals welcome the summer season with this traditional food of Odisha.
Dahi Vada – Aloo Dum
If you have been to Odisha, you will know how popular this delectable combination is. While dahi vada and aloo dum are enjoyed separately in other states in India, people in Odisha prefer them together. The Odia-style aloo dum is prepared with baby potatoes, garam masala and other spices, while dahi vadas are deep-fried lentil fritters coated with curd and chutneys. The delicious dahi vadas balance out the spiciness and heat of aloo dum, and they taste amazing when savoured together. No wonder this combination is so famous in Odisha.
Macha Ghanta
A delight for non-veg lovers, macha ghanta is one of the most relished foods of Odisha. This is a delectable fish curry which contains fried fish in a rich curry or gravy. The curry is prepared with all vegetarian ingredients, such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, chana dal and chilli powder. Macha ghanta is best enjoyed with hot steamed rice and salad, so make sure you try this delicacy whenever you are in Odisha next.
Gupchup
A top favourite among people of all ages, gupchup or pani puri also happens to be the most relished street food of Odisha. It is prepared by filling crispy puris with a mixture of mashed potatoes, boiled chickpeas and spices. You can relish it with sweet tamarind water, tangy jal jeera, or any other flavoured water available with the vendors. Gupchups are available almost everywhere in Odisha, so make sure you try some during city tours.
Chhena Poda
A delight for people with a sweet tooth, chhena poda is one of the best desserts available in Odisha. This delectable sweet, which is like a cheesecake, is said to be the favourite sweet of Lord Jagannath; Chhena poda is offered to the Lord at the Jagannath Puri Temple. The sweet is mostly relished by locals during Diwali, Durga Puja and other important festivals. To make this dessert, different ingredients, like crumbled paneer, semolina, sugar, almonds, raisins, cashew nuts and cardamom powder are combined into a batter and baked until golden brown. The result is a soft and delicious cheesecake that one can relish at any time of the day.
