The traditional food of Bihar is vast and dynamic, going beyond some well-known items like Thekua, Litti-Chokha, or even Champaran Mutton. Bihari cuisine takes influences from several cultures and regions, while using seasonal ingredients and trying to balance both health and taste. On that note, here is a closer look at some of the best dishes worth trying when you visit.
Top Traditional Food of Bihar- What to Try
Here is a basic guide to the traditional food of Bihar that you should not miss on your trip to the state.
1. Sattu Ki Roti
Healthy and containing carbohydrates and proteins in high amounts, this Roti comes with a filling of minced onion, Chana Sattu, ginger, garlic, Achari spices, and green chillies. Some Ghee also comes into the mix along with sweet tomato chutney as a perfect accompaniment.
2. Tisi Ki Chutney
Tisi Ki Chutney is a favorite traditional food of Bihar in the summer season. Flaxseeds are neatly ground with ginger, green chillies, garlic, and raw mangoes to create a nutritious mixture that is too tempting to resist. Locals believe that it helps bypass sunstrokes.
3. Matar Ka Dhokha
This traditional food of Bihar is just like Matar Ka Nimona and pureed green peas make for the key ingredient. Ghee and garam masala also come into play to create this amazing dish that you can have with steaming rice.
4. Bael Ka Sharbat
Bael Ka Sharbat is a simple yet filling drink that you will find in most Bihari households in summer. Wood apple or the Bael fruit pulp goes through an overnight soaking process and a little sugar goes into the mix as well. It comes with several vital antioxidants and is very healthy for the stomach.
5. Marua Ki Roti
Bihar is famous for using Ragi or Marua/Madua as a core ingredient with Chapattis being a popular item that people have with seasonal vegetables. Ragi has several health benefits, which makes this a fabulously nutritious dish.
6. Saag
Palak Saag is a famous traditional food of Bihar and the cooking is done nutritiously with Rai seeds, mustard oil, green chillies, and garlic cloves. Palak goes through a chopping process and the addition of turmeric is another step in the process. Once the cooking process is complete and the dish absorbs the water, you can have it with Dal and rice for a delicious lunch or dinner.
7. Ole Ka Chokha
Ole or Jimikand is the star of the meal and comes with several crucial minerals. Boiling is the main process for the Chokha and it goes through a mashing process with Jimikand, lemon juice, garlic, green chillies, and salt. Jimikand is an excellent item for stomach health, while having several antioxidants.
8. Litti-Chokha
Litti-Chokha is the signature traditional food of Bihar and is famous throughout the rest of the country as well. Sattu and wheat go into a delicious mix with several spices. They become round balls with Ghee that accompany the Chokha (made by mashing boiled vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and Brinjal). Chopped garlic and onion are add-ons along with several spices.
9. Sattu Paratha
Sattu Paratha is also known as Makuni and the fried gram flour is a core element of Bihari cuisine. It mixes with several spices before wheat dough balls come into play. The cooking process involves Ghee on a hot plate to create this amazing Paratha.
10. Sattu Ka Sharbat-
Sattu Ka Namkeen Sharbat is a popular summer beverage in Bihar. It is not only filling, but also healthy for the system.
11. Kadhi Bari
Kadhi Bari is an authentic traditional food of Bihar that you can have with steamed rice. Gram flour or Besan is the star of the dish with add-ons like Pakodas or dry Sabzi. You can use sweet chutney and Achar for the Kadhi topping. It is a complete Bihari meal that you will love having for lunch.
12. Khichdi
Khichdi is a traditional food of Bihar that is also widely available in several parts of India. The version you will have here mixes Dal, rice, and several seasonal vegetables, with a unique cooking process that involves Ghee for a fabulous taste.
13. Chana Ghugni
Chana Ghugni is a tangy and spicy snack that you can have in the evening. It is commonly available across local eateries and Bihari households and there is a frying process for chickpeas with various spices, onion, and Chuda Ka Bhuja or flattened rice.
14. Pittha
Pittha is another local traditional food of Bihar that is quite like momos with a unique taste. You can have it salty or sweet, depending on what you like. Balls of rice flour crusts go with Chana Dal paste or even poppy seeds. There is a steaming process in milk or water to complete the preparation.
15. Laddoo
Laddoos are hugely popular in Bihar, especially the ones from Maner. The ball-like sweet uses sugar, gram flour, and Ghee and you can have it anytime for a tasty and tempting snack.
16. Tilkut
Tilkut is a classic sweet that you will find in several regions of Bihar, with the most famous one coming from Gaya. Interestingly, there are references to the dry sweet in Buddhist literature as well, where it is known as Palala. Tilkut uses sesame seeds along with sugar or jaggery. The three versions are Sakkar, gur, and refined sugar. Smaller versions like nuts are also known as Tillouri.
17. Belgrami
Ghee, sugar, and cheese go into the making of this famous sweet dish. You can have it in several regions of the state including Udwantnagar that lies between Buxar and Arrah.
18. Kheer Makhana
Do not miss trying the delicious Kheer Makhana, a popular traditional food of Bihar that is available in Darbhanga and many other places. This sweet dish uses sugar, Makhana, and milk for its preparation.
19. Silao Khaja
If you are on a trip to Nalanda, check out the delicious Khaja making traditions in the Silao village which is only 8 km away from Rajgir. This dish uses sugar, Maida, and Ghee for its creation and comes in several versions including Palvidar, Chandshahi, Gandhi Topa, and round.
20. Dahi-Choora
This involves serving beaten rice with a creamy coat of curd and jaggery or sugar. It is thus a fabulous breakfast item, particularly during the winter season. You can have it in a mild and baked form with onions and peas.
21. Malpua
Bihar is also famous for its tempting Malpua. It is a mouth-watering specialty that uses Maida, coconuts, bananas, milk, cashew nuts, sugar, water, cardamom, raisins, and other ingredients. They go through an intensive frying process in Ghee for the perfect mix of flavors.
22. Khoye-Ki-Laai
Khoye Ki Laai is a popular traditional food of Bihar and is a sweet dish that comes from Barh, a town in the Patna District. You can have this cake or ball-like sweet for a tasty snack. It uses ingredients like Ramdana or Khobi seeds along with sugar and Khoa.
23. Chandrakala or Pedakiya
Chandrakala is a fabulous dessert that uses a stuffing of coconut, Khoya, dry fruits, and cardamom powder. Sugar syrup comes into play for the dipping part.
24. Balushahi
This sweet dish is simply irresistible and you will love the Khoya and other spices like cinnamon and cardamom that go into it. The flour bowl is the key preparation element that often gets saffron for some extra taste. Deep frying is what gives the item its distinct texture.
25. Parwal Ki Mithai
Feasting on sweets that look like Parwal or pointed gourd will be a fabulous experience! It tastes amazing with the pulp of the vegetable boiled and covered with syrup, while Khoya also comes into the mix.
26. Bhunja
Bhunja is a popular evening snack and you will love the Chura Ka Bhunja where beaten rice goes through a shallow frying process with green chillies, onions, and green peas. There is also Makai Ke Lawa or popcorn along with Chana Ka Bhunja to try. Many Bihari households make these dishes at home and they are often available at street food outlets in cities and urban zones.
27. Classic Bihari Thali
One traditional food of Bihar that you can have almost anywhere in the state is the classic Thali. It will come with rice, Roti, chutneys, Achar, milk, Dal, and several sweets. This will be a complete meal that will give you a taste of the culinary traditions of Bihar.
28. Naivedyam
Naivedyam is a popular offering at several temples, including Bihar’s Hanuman Mandir near the Patna railway station. It originates from the Prasad given at the Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh and uses Besan, cashews, sugar, raisings, saffron, green cardamom, and other ingredients. Ghee is used for the cooking and the end-result is a heavenly ball that will melt in your mouth!
29. Kebabs
Bihar has a tradition of sumptuous non-vegetarian delights as well. Find amazing mutton kebabs in cities like Patna on your trip. You can have the signature Bihari Kebab and the tender Reshmi Kebab as a fabulous snack.
30. Laung-Latika
It is a traditional food of Bihar that is a hit during several festivals and other ceremonies. The crispy crust is the highlight of the dish along with the ingredients like sugar syrup and cloves. You will love the dynamic flavor of the dish, especially in the cold winter months.
31. Thekua or Khajuria
Khajuria or Thekua is one of the most famous Bihari items which is made during Chhath Puja. You will love the tempting mixture of jaggery and wheat flour that goes through a deep frying process. Rice flour may also be an option while you can have it with Kheer for a ceremonial touch.
32. Pantua
Pantua or Kala Jamun is popular throughout the entire state. Deep frying is what gives it a signature taste and the main ingredients include milk, sugar, and Mawa. You will love the thicker crust and unique flavor of this sweet dish.
33. Khurma and Laktho
Shakkarpara or Khurma is another dessert that you will fall in love with, using ingredients like salt and flour. They go through a deep frying process in oil and sugar syrup is used for the dipping. Laktho is another version using rice flour dough with jaggery syrup.
34. Gur Anarsa
Jaggery and rice flour combine beautifully to create an amazing Bihari dish. Sesame seeds come into play for the coating while there is frying done over medium heat till the classic red hue comes about.
35. Laai
Imagine pouring jaggery syrup over cereal that has gone through a light frying process. The balls that are made in Bihari households make for fabulous snacks in the evening. You can also use Choora or beaten rice for the cereal or even Muri or puffed rice.
36. Puri Sabzi
One of India’s most popular staples is also available in Bihar. You will love the Puris made of whole wheat flour or other grains. The Sabzi may vary, using seasonal vegetables, while Puris also have potato stuffing with several fresh herbs and spices. Have the meal with Jalebis for an amazing breakfast!
37. Champaran Mutton
One traditional food of Bihar that is immensely popular in several parts of India, Champaran mutton comes with rich flavors and a slow-cooking technique that make it special. It uses several fresh herbs and unique spices, while a clay pot is sealed and used for cooking. The mutton also goes through an extensive marination process with a paste of mustard oil, spices, garlic, Ghee, ginger, and onions. This dish comes from Bihar’s Champaran region and some of its other names include Batlohi, Ahuna, and even Handi meat.
Read Also: Traditional Food of Meghalaya
Discover the Traditional Food of Bihar On Your Trip
Explore the traditional food of Bihar when you visit the state next. Discover tempting flavors that draw inspiration from unique culinary practices. Here’s to enjoying the fabulous meals that are available in this charming eastern state of India.
