Food is the best expression of a place; it talks about culture, tradition and history. You can walk across the streets for every famous food of Odisha to set its aroma and flavours in your senses. Situated on the eastern coastal part of India, the state is popular for its subtle preparations and temple-inspired bhog-style dishes. Interestingly, most foods here showcase a balance; they are neither too heavy nor extremely spicy.
Known as Odia cuisine, you get to try foods motivated by the agrarian lifestyle. As rice is the staple food, many dishes have evolved with rice or lentils. What’s more? Even the cooking techniques and recipes celebrate a long-living traditional heritage. So, let’s dive into the famous food of Odisha to choose the ones that drizzle your mouth with hunger.
Famous Food of Odisha: Try Tantalising Combinations of Flavours
1. Dalma
Every state has an iconic dish, and one such dish is Dalma! Being the famous food of Odisha, it receives love from locals as well as tourists. The dish is prepared with a combination of lentils and vegetables along with tempering of ginger and garlic. Interestingly, it can be found in every household alongside rice.
Do you know you can try authentic Dalma at the Jagannath Temple? This version includes no onion or garlic, making the Mahaprasad a delicious treat. It is best to book affordable hotels in Bhubaneswar, as you can find multiple restaurants serving the delicacy. Lastly, Dalma is a common dish at community kitchens during the Rath Yatra and other festivals.
2. Pakhala Bhata
If you are visiting the state during summer months, you are certain to find Pakhala Bhata everywhere. This significant food of Odisha is cherished for its simplicity. It is basically freshly soaked rice or fermented rice served with curd, lentils or green chillies.
You can find the authentic version in village settlements of the state. If you are staying at one of the hotels in Puri, head to Dalma Restaurant, Chung Wah Restaurant and Wildgrass Restaurant. Similarly, Bhubaneswar invites you to visit Atithi Devo Bhava, Maa Tarini Store and Pakhala Restaurant. So, get ready for a burst of subtle yet tantalising flavours.
3. Rasagola
You must have known the traditional Rasgullas found in the state of West Bengal. However, Rasagola is an entirely different and famous food of Odisha. The state also claims that Rasagola originated here, as it was offered to Lord Jagannath. You can see a brownish and caramelised version of the sweet here.
When travelling by the Puri-Bhubaneswar highway, take a halt at Pahala Rasagola, where you will find this authentic dish. You can also book budget-friendly hotels near Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, as there are multiple sweet shops around. Nimapara Sweets and Nanda Sweets in Bhubaneswar are also popular for rasagolas.
4. Chhena Poda
Can you ever miss a signature dessert of the state? Chhena Poda is made by combining freshly prepared cottage cheese with sugar, semolina and a sprinkle of cardamom. The discovery itself has a unique story! According to a legend, a sweet maker once left sweetened chhena in a warm oven overnight. It had transformed into a caramelised cake by morning.
What next? The unexpectedly delicious flavour then gave rise to Chhena Poda. You can easily book one of the Treebo hotels in the state, as the sweet is widely available in Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Visit Bikalananda Kar Sweets and Nimapara Sweets if you are at one of the hotels in Bhubaneswar.
5. Chakuli Pitha
Here’s another traditional and famous food of Odisha loved by most locals. We are talking about Chakuli Pitha! This fermented Odia pancake is mildly tangy in flavour. You can enjoy this as a breakfast delicacy alongside ghugni (spiced peas curry). Though it looks like a dosa, this pitha is thicker and softer. While it is a dish savoured in homes, you can try this in local eateries or roadside food stalls.
You can easily find this speciality in the major cities of the state. Many tiffin centres and Odia restaurants in Bhubaneswar, like Dalma and Odisha Hotel, serve this delight. It is widely available in rural villages, including in Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts. Make sure to try curries like alu bharta or dalma with chakuli pitha.
6. Macha Besara
Attention seafood lovers! Macha Besara is here to mesmerise you with its tantalising flavours. It is an age-old tangy fish curry known for its earthy aroma. Rohu or catla fish is cooked in a mustard seed paste known as besara. You can find these near beaches in Odisha, as it is a coastal delicacy.
If you are staying at hotels in Puri, you must head to the local dhabas near the Jagannath temple. You can also visit Balasore, Rourkela and Berhampur, where the dish is served alongside rice. Buxi Bazaar and Badambadi are also great spots to try this famous food of Odisha.
7. Santula
Dishes in this state are all about simplicity and subtle preparations. Santula is a nourishing vegetable dish that lets you experience comfort. It is made with a fusion of seasonal vegetables like raw papaya, brinjal and beans. You can find this in many urban areas as well as villages.
Being the famous food of Odisha, Santula is mainly available in canteens, community kitchens and home-style eateries. Interestingly, you can reserve hotels near Bhubaneswar Railway Station as local food vendors serve this. So, get ready for a burst of soothing flavours.
8. Kanika
If you are a food connoisseur and love to explore authentic dishes, Kanika is for you! This famous food of Odisha is a hearty meal prepared with aromatic spices. The mildly sweet rice is topped with raisins and cashews for a flavourful burst. Did you know Kanika is a part of Chhapan Bhog served at Jagannath Temple?
That’s exactly why it receives immense love from locals. While it is a traditional dish, you can find it at selected restaurants in Bhubaneswar and Puri. You can also visit Kanika Restaurant to try scrumptious Odia thali. So, make sure to book hotels in Jaydev Vihar, Bhubaneswar, for a lovely time.
9. Khaja
Flaky, flavourful and crispy. These words exactly define the mouth-watering sweet named Khaja. It is layered like puff pastry and deep-fried until golden. After being soaked in light sugar syrup, you get to try a crunchy delicacy. Being slightly juicy inside, it satisfies your heart like never before!
For the purest version of Khaja, go to the sweet shops around the Jagannath Temple. Kakatua Sweets and Ganguram’s are known for temple-style Khaja. If you are in Cuttack, head to Naya Sadak or Choudhury Bazaar. You can easily book hotels in Bhubaneswar, as the city is home to Pahala sweets, offering the best Khaja.
10. Dahi Bhendi
Get ready for a creamy and tangy delight as you try a palatable combination. This famous food of Odisha is sure to melt your heart with its comforting flavours. Tender okra is sautéed and simmered in a rich curd-based gravy. Every bite is slightly sour yet smooth enough to melt in your mouth.
If you wish to relish this dish, you can visit Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack. It is also prepared during weddings and special occasions. You can also try local eateries offering Odia thali, as Dahi Bhendi is generally a part of it. So, make sure to book hotels in Bhubaneswar for a tasty exploration.
11. Chhena Jhili
A sweet treasure is on its way as you try Chhena Jhili. It is prepared with juicy cheese balls (chhena) and then deep-fried to perfection. Did you know this famous food of Odisha originated from Nimapara in Puri?
The slightly caramelised dessert is best available at Nimapara Sweets. So, you can book hotels in Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar, for a pleasant time. Next, you can head to Chhapan Bhog as it surprises you with authentic Chhena Jhili. Original Nrusingha Sweets is another popular place in Puri for this one.
12. Poda Pitha
Here’s another mouth-watering and famous food of Odisha you must try. Poda Pitha is a smoky and sweet traditional rice cake of the state. This one is especially rooted in the cultural traditions. While most people make it at home, you can savour this during the Jagannath Rath Yatra and Raja Parba festivals.
Head to Cuttack, where the old city lanes are dotted with traditional sweet shops. Buxi Bazar and Naya Sadak are the best areas to find this treat during the mornings. You can easily book one of the Treebo hotels in the state for a budget-friendly stay with your loved ones. Now that you are here, make sure to add the best places to visit in Cuttack to your travel itinerary.
13. Bara (Vada)
Get ready to try one of the best street foods in Bhubaneswar. We are talking about the crispy golden delight of the state – Bara! Made with black gram, baras are fried till they turn golden and crispy. They are later seasoned with onions, green chillies, ginger and coriander. You can pair it with ghughni or simply enjoy it with mint chutney.
As it is available in almost all cities, booking hotels in advance is ideal for a comfortable stay. However, if you are in Bhubaneswar, go to Unit 1 and Unit 4 markets. Even small villages of Kendrapara, Balasore and Bhadrak are popular for this delight. Let your taste buds dive into the nostalgic, famous food of Odisha.
14. Dahi Bara Aloo Dum
Certain dishes are beyond their culinary significance. They are highly cherished by locals. Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is surely a famous food of Odisha which originated in Cuttack. Lentil dumplings are seasoned in curd along with spicy potato curry. Topped with onions and coriander, every bite becomes deliciously crunchy.
Raghu Dahi Bara Stall, Biju Bhai and Gopabandhu Square vendors are the best places to enjoy this delicacy. It is best to visit the Esplanade Mall Food Court and the Master Canteen for this delight. Since it is enjoyed during mornings, you can take a stroll in the neighbourhood. So, make sure to book affordable hotels in Bhubaneswar for a lovely stay.
15. Macha Tarkari
While temples in Odisha provide delicious sweets and simplistic meals, the coastal areas have a different story to tell! Macha Tarkari is another famous food of Odisha. It is prepared with freshwater Rohu fish. The dish is best known for its fusion of vegetables, spices and mildly spicy flavours.
If you are a seafood lover, straightaway book hotels in Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar. This area is home to multiple eateries serving authentic Macha Tarkari. Maa Tarini Dhaba and Pramod Restaurant are popular in Cuttack. Sambalpur is also home to many small eateries along the NH-6 highway.
16. Khechudi
The state takes immense pride in subtle yet mouthwatering meals. Khechudi is a traditional and quite famous food of Odisha. All thanks to its flavourful combination of veggies and spices. Even this dish is a part of spiritual offerings at the divine temple of Lord Jagannath.
You can easily book affordable hotels in Puri and head to Ananda Bazaar or Wildgrass Restaurant for Khechudi. Similarly, you can visit Barabati Restaurant in Cuttack or Dalma Restaurant in Bhubaneswar. If you love local eateries, Rourkela and Sambalpur are the top-rated places.
17. Gupchup (Pani Puri)
Friends gather around during evenings to savour gupchup and gossip together. That’s exactly the vibe you get to see at gupchup stalls. Being the famous food of Odisha, gupchup is found at most nooks and corners of the state. Fried puris are filled with spicy mint water and tamarind chutney.
You can easily reserve hotels in Patia, Bhubaneswar, as it is home to many gupchup stalls. The college square in Cuttack is also a buzzing area to try this delight. Interestingly, most tourist places in Odisha, as well as small villages, have multiple gupchup stalls or shops. This affordable treat is surely for everyone to try.
Savouring the Odia Cuisine!
Every famous food of Odisha is a reflection of the state’s culinary craftsmanship. From the buzzing corners of the cities to the quiet lanes of villages, the food talks to you in the most flavourful language. Whether you try the humbling Dalma or love the sober food of the temples, there is something for everyone. The availability of Treebo hotels in most cities makes it super easy to plan a trip to Odisha.
