Bihar Street Food: The food of every state of India is associated with the fragrance of its soil and the soul of its people. Someone has rightly said – “The heart of India resides in its food.” This is the reason why when it comes to street foods of India, the name of Bihar automatically comes to mind. Every dish there tells not just taste but a story. Litti roasted on an earthen stove, chokha bathed in the aroma of mustard oil, and makhana kheer on top – this is not just food, but a tradition that has been going on for generations. The food of Bihar which is being talked about today, despite being very simple, is very special. The desi feeling that is there in the street foods here is difficult to find anywhere else. In this article, we will introduce you to some famous recipes of Bihar – which include Jowar Litti, Sattu Kachori, Makhana Kheer and Jaggery Dahi Chura. The taste of all these not only resides on the tongue, but also makes a place in the heart. So let’s go to the streets of Bihar, where a different kind of taste is waiting for you at every nook and corner.
Often litti is made from wheat flour, but today’s litti is a little different – made from jowar flour. Jowar cools the body during summer season, hence it is very much liked in Bihar.
Jowar flour is cooked with lukewarm water, salt, and ghee to make it soft. Then comes the filling of Sattu – which is the life of this dish. Salt, red chilli, green coriander, nigella seeds, celery and a little pickle masala are added to Sattu. This mixture gives that desi taste to Litti, whose aroma spreads far. It can be cooked in appe maul, pan or oven. When light cracks start appearing on top, then understand that your litti is ready. Eating it by dipping it in mustard oil and ghee is the real way of Bihar.
Chokha – Litti’s companion
The fun of Litti is incomplete without Chokha. To make chokha, brinjal, tomato, garlic and potatoes are roasted on fire or pan. Then everything is peeled and mashed and green coriander, ginger, salt, chilli and most importantly – raw mustard oil are added. Only this oil gives Chokha its real Bihari flavour.
Makhana Kheer – Sweetness of Bihar
Makhanas of Bihar are famous all over the world. A wonderful sweet is made from this Makhana – Makhana Kheer. Makhanas are lightly roasted in ghee and boiled in milk, then sugar candy or jaggery, cardamom and dry fruits are added to it. Its taste is so good that once you eat it, you will not be able to forget it.
Dahi Chuda – Taste of Tradition
Another special dish of Bihar is Dahi Chuda, which is made very simply. Thin Poha (Chuda) is mixed with curd and jaggery is added to it, some dry fruits are added on top – a sweet is ready which tastes even more delicious than Shrikhand. The special thing is that the curd is stored there in an earthen pot, due to which both its taste and coolness remain intact.
Ghugni and Sattu Kachori – the king of street food
Now let’s talk about another tasty combo of Bihar – Ghughni and Kachori. Shortbread dough is made from flour, semolina, salt and celery. The special thing is that the filling in this also is the same Sattu which goes in Litti.
Ghugni is prepared from black gram – cooked in mustard oil by adding onion, garlic, spices and tomatoes. Its spiciness and aroma of spices will take you to the streets of Patna. When it is eaten with hot Sattu Kachori, only one thing comes out – “Wow! This is the real taste of Bihar.”
Bihar Street Food
Confluence of culture and taste
The food of Bihar is not just taste but a symbol of culture. Every dish there makes you realize how much richness is hidden even in simplicity. Every dish here is made with soil, hard work and love – be it jowar litti or makhana kheer.
