10 Traditional Dishes To Try In Odisha | Cuisines of Orissa

The cuisine of Odisha also referred to as “Odia Cuisine,” is a blend of many wow ingredients and customs.

Odisha’s cuisine is highly inspired by the cuisine of North India, Bengal, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh because it borders both South and North Indian states. It has an emphasis on rice, lentils, vegetables, fish, and dairy products. They are usually mildly spiced but full of flavor, and often prepared with mustard oil, yogurt, and Chhena (a type of cheese).

In this article, you will get to know about the following traditional dishes that you must try when you visit Odisha,

Pilaf
Dalma
Macha Ghanta
Santula
Besara
Khaja
Chhena Poda
Chaula Bara
Gupchup
Pakhala Bhata

Let’s see each of these items in detail.

1. Pilaf (Pulao)

Pilaf or Pulao is another popular dish in Odisha. It is prepared by sauteing the rice in oil until it turns golden brown in color.

The mouth-watering aroma of the mixed whole spices of Pilaf makes it an authentic and delectable dish in Odisha.

Pulao is prepared differently in various states.

Some Odisha households also add dry fruits and vegetables to make the dish more scrumptious. It is a staple dish in Odisha Cuisine that you can try.

2. Dalma

Dalma is a type of dal and a staple food that comes with a unique taste. This Odia dish is made with roasted moong dal without the use of onion and garlic. A cup of veggies and a few regular spices make it a lip-smacking dish.

This healthy dish is prepared with yam, papaya, plantain, and pumpkin and is extremely nutritious. Dalma is often tempered with Panch Phoran masala, a blend of five spices, and garnished with coconut and coriander leaves.

It is also part of the Chappan Bhog, the 56 dishes offered to Lord Jagannath in the Puri temple.

Dalma is a simple and satisfying dish that you can have with rice or roti while you are in Odisha.

3. Macha Ghanta

Every household in Odisha enjoys recipes made of fish, and Macha Ghanta is a local favorite.

Macha ghanta is usually served on Dussehra as an offering to Maa Durga.

This mouthwatering dish includes the fried head of fish cooked with spices, ginger, tomato, onion, garlic, and potato. It is generally served with steaming rice and salad. Vegans can prepare a simple “Ghanta” simply by omitting the fish.

No matter where you go, there isn’t a dish like this, and it is delicious and spicy and will certainly tempt you to eat it when you reach Odisha.

4. Santula

Santula is a classic Oriya dish that is fried or boiled vegetable curry. It is made with a blend of tomato, brinjal, potato, drumsticks, raw papaya, and other seasonal vegetables that are cooked with spices and herbs. It closely resembles Shukto, a famous Bengali dish.

This is a very healthy cuisine as the recipe is prepared with more green vegetables and it is low on spices and oil. It can have many variations depending on the availability of vegetables and the preference of the cook.

You can have Santula with rice or roti as a simple and satisfying meal. For extra flavor and taste, this classic soup is sauteed with milk.

5. Besara

Besara is a traditional Odia dish that consists of mixed vegetables cooked in a spicy mustard paste. It is one of the 56 dishes offered as Mahaprasad or Chhappan Bhog to Lord Jagannath at the Puri temple in Odisha.

You can find Besara made with various seasonal vegetables such as pumpkin, raw banana, radish, Arbi, Parwal, sweet potato, and more. It is often flavored with Panch Phutana, bay leaves, jaggery, coconut, and desi ghee. Fried Urad Dal Badis are also added for crunch and texture.

You can find Besara in most restaurants in Odisha serving Odia cuisine. It is a delicious and nutritious dish that you can enjoy with rice or roti.

6. Khaja

Khaja is one of Odisha’s most delectable food items.

If you ever visit Puri, Odisha’s holy city, you can find this crispy sweet in every nook and corner. It is often offered as maha prasad to Lord Jagannath in his temple.

This sweet is made by layering refined wheat flour and sugar and frying it lightly in oil. Many tourists from outside Odisha also enjoy this traditional delicacy and Prasad.

7. Chhena Poda

One and only cheesecake from Odisha! Chhena poda literally means burnt cheese in Odia.

It is said that this is Lord Jagannath’s favorite sweet and is frequently presented to him at the Puri Temple. It is also often made at home during traditional festivals in Odisha.

It is made of well-kneaded homemade fresh Cheese Chhena, sugar, and semolina, and is baked for several hours until it turns crimson. Your mind will be completely blown away by the flavor that is highlighted by the caramelized sugar.

This dish is the one confection for which Odisha is renowned. You can find this delicious dish in every part of the state and you can have it as a snack or a dessert.

8. Chaula Bara

Chaula Bara is a tasty snack that you can have in Odisha. These are crispy fritters made from rice and urad dal. They are simply light, fluffy, and delicious!

To make them, you need to soak 4 parts rice and 1 part urad dal for at least 8 hours overnight. Then, you need to blend them into a coarse paste and add cumin seeds, carom seeds, coriander leaves, a pinch of baking soda, salt, and pepper. You can then fry them in oil until golden and then enjoy them with your favorite chutney.

It is generally served with two types of chutneys: Tentel Jhol (tamarind water) and Patalganta Chutney (tomato chutney) in most places. Chaula Bara is a delicious and filling dish that you can have for breakfast or as an evening snack.

9. Gupchup

Gupchup is one of the nation’s favorite food. It is known by different adorable names such as Phuchka in West Bengal, Golgappa in the north, and Panipuri in the Western region.

In this dish, a tangy and spicy taste of tamarind, jeera, and mint water fills the hollow crispy puris (deep-fried crisp flatbreads) made of atta, suji, and maida along with aloo or chana masalas. The breaking of the crunchy fried puris and the unique flavors in the mouth will fill your heart with joy. This makes Gupchup one of the most famous street food snacks in Odisha.

Gupchup is a tangy and spicy snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. You can binge eat this favorite street food giving yourself an absolute wonder out of this crunchy and puffy ball.

10. Pakhala Bhata

Pakhala Bhata is a traditional Odia dish that is ideal to eat during the summer. This dish can be found in almost every household.

It is made by soaking rice in water and sour curd and is served with papad, fried fish, potatoes, curry leaves, and Badi Choora. This helps to beat the summer heat and improve digestion.

Pakhala Bhata is so popular and healthy that Odias celebrate March 20 as Pakhala Dibasa (Universal Pakhala Day) every year. You will feel satisfied to have this famous dish of Orissa.

These are some of the best dishes you can try in Odisha.

Also nicknamed “the Goa of Eastern India,” Odisha is the ultimate culinary abode for any gastronome. You simply cannot afford to miss these delectable delights!

Cover Image Credits: Lopanayak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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