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Odisha

15 Famous Dishes Of Odisha To Try While Visiting Puri

By: Travel and Food Network
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Odisha, a jewel of India's eastern coastline, holds an alluring culinary narrative. It's a treasure trove of flavors, a symphony of simplicity and aromatic spices. Each dish from this region embodies centuries of traditions, imbibed with the love and warmth of the Odia people. If you're a food enthusiast keen to explore a lesser-trodden culinary path, delve into these 15 iconic dishes from Odisha:


     

Dalma: The heart and soul of Odisha’s everyday meal. This dish combines lentils and vegetables, mildly seasoned with spices and topped with grated coconut. A wholesome delight, Dalma speaks of home, comfort, and nutrition.

Pakhala Bhata: This fermented rice dish is Odisha's answer to the scorching summers. The tangy, water-soaked rice is often paired with fried fish or vegetables, offering a refreshing taste that's both invigorating and satisfying.

Chhena Podo: Often referred to as the state's own cheesecake, Chhena Podo is a caramelized dessert made from roasted cottage cheese. The exterior offers a toasty crunch, while the insides melt with the sweetness of cardamom and raisins.

Machha Jhola: Seafood enthusiasts, rejoice!

Kanika: A celebration on a plate! This sweet rice dish, laced with ghee, cashews, and raisins, sings of festivity. The mild sweetness, combined with saffron's aroma, makes Kanika a dish reserved for special occasions.

Badi Chura: A crunchy delight made from crushed dried lentil dumplings. Seasoned with chili, garlic, and mustard oil, Badi Chura adds an irresistible crunch to any meal, presenting a delightful contrast in textures.

Chenna Jhili - Hailing from Nimapada, a charming town merely 39KM away from Puri, Chenna Jhili can be best described as a Jalebi crafted from cottage cheese. The allure of this sweet lies in its sugar level, offering sweetness without being overpowering.

Santula: An ode to simplicity, Santula is a vegetable curry cooked with minimal spices. Whether dry or in gravy, this dish encapsulates the purity and wholesomeness of Odisha’s cuisine.

Khaja: A layered pastry dripping with sugar syrup, Khaja finds its roots in many of Odisha's religious rituals. The crisp exterior and syrupy interior make for a delightful contrast.

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Pitha: This versatile dish comes in various forms like Chakuli, Enduri, and Manda. Pithas are rice pancakes or dumplings, sometimes filled with sweet or savory mixtures, highlighting the state's rich culinary diversity. Chakuli Pitha is a beloved variant made by grinding black gram cereal into a batter, fermenting it, then frying it thinly on a pan until crispy. Poda Pitha, with its rich texture, is crafted from fermented rice batter wrapped in sal leaves and slow-cooked in an earthen pot, traditionally made during the Raja festival. Sijha Manda, popular during major Odisha festivals, are boiled rice dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, celebrated for their simplicity. Enduri Pitha captivates the senses with the scent of turmeric leaves and a jaggery-coconut filling, being a staple of 'Prathamastami'. Lastly, Kakara Pitha is a fried sweet fritter combining semolina, coconut, and cardamom, presenting yet another delightful Pitha variant.

Gupchup: Odisha's version of the famous Pani Puri, Gupchup is a burst of flavors. These hollow crispy balls filled with tangy, spicy tamarind water and chickpeas are a favorite street food, epitomizing joy in every bite.

Mudhi Mansa: A popular dish from Baripada, it pairs spicy mutton curry with puffed rice. The juxtaposition of crunchy puffed rice with the flavorful mutton gravy creates a unique gastronomic experience.

Besara: A tangy vegetable or fish curry, Besara is thickened using mustard paste. Its unique flavor profile, blending the pungency of mustard with aromatic spices, stands testament to Odisha’s culinary ingenuity

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Rasagulla: Historically referred to as Kheera Mohana in Odisha, this sweet holds a special place as Lord Jagannath's preferred treat. As per tradition, during the Niladri Bije ritual – marking the Lord's return to his temple post the Chariot Festival – he seeks to win over Goddess Lakshmi's affection by offering her Rasagulla. This exquisite dessert is crafted from cottage cheese, hand-shaped into spheres, and then simmered in a sugary syrup.

A Puri Essential: The Mahaprasad: An integral part of Puri's religious fabric, the Mahaprasad offered to Lord Jagannath is a cherished culinary experience for every Odia. What sets this prasad apart is its unconventional cooking method, where earthen pots are stacked upon each other over a flame, intriguingly, with the topmost pot cooking first. Hindu mythology paints a vivid journey of Lord Vishnu: meditating in Badrinath, adorning himself in Dwarka, dining in Puri, and finally, resting in Rameswaram. Such is the divine allure of Puri!

Odisha’s cuisine is a testament to its rich culture, geography, and history. While these fifteen dishes provide a glimpse into its vast culinary repertoire, the true essence of Odia cuisine lies in the stories, traditions, and love interwoven with each recipe. So, whether you're visiting the state or find an Odia restaurant near you, dive into this culinary voyage with an open heart and a hungry stomach. The tastes of Odisha await!