I remember my first tryst with Bihari cuisine happened at a street food festival held at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi. I was in my early college days, discovering my interest and passion in different areas of life. While I had been fond of writing since school, it was during my journalism course that the interest grew stronger. Along with this, I was a hard-core foodie too. Exploring new places and trying new cuisines was always on my mind. Given the two precedents, I was approached by a food website to review the street food festival for them. My first-ever on field experience brought me in touch with street fare that is famous across the country.
That’s when I tasted Bihari cuisine for the first time with a bite of the litti chokha. The most famous delicacy of this region, litti chokha is made up of two parts, litti is a baked ball made of sattu flour which is served with an aloo and baigan chokha. In this, aloo is boiled, mashed and spruced up with some spices like red chilies and salt. Similarly, baigan aka eggplant is also mashed after being cooked on the tawa. This combination is a staple in Bihar and the first thing anyone would suggest when you ask them about Bihari cuisine.
I was so fascinated by this delicious fare that after several years I looked up for some Bihari restaurants in Delhi and to my amazement, there were plenty of them. From fine-dining restaurants to small street-side shops and stalls, there is no dearth of places that serve Bihari cuisine in Delhi. Post Chhath Puja, which I witnessed at my Bihari friend’s place this year, we were served thekua and rasiyaw and this intrigued my curiosity about the culture and cuisine.
If you are tempted to try this spicy cuisine too, here are some of the best places to savour your taste buds with Bihari food.
1. The Potbelly Bihari Kitchen
This has to be my top pick for Bihari food. With two outlets in Delhi, this place has been serving authentic regional cuisine for a long time now. While one of the outlets is a rooftop restaurant, the other one offers lush green views with its outdoor seating. The ambience is minimalistic yet aesthetic with floral pots hanging from the walls. Chicken Litti Chokha, Champaran Mutton with moong dal parantha and the meat pakora basket are some things that you cannot miss. For a refreshing accompaniment, try the sattu cooler.
Where: Shahpur Jat and Bihar Niwas, Chanakyapuri
Cost For Two: INR 1000
2. Bihar Ki Rasoi
Tucked away in the hullabaloo, this small restaurant lies amidst the range of regional food stalls in Dilli Haat. Dilli Haat is considered to be a cultural hub of the capital, with beautiful handicrafts and hand-woven fabrics as well as lip-smacking regional food. The next best stall after the Sikkim one (it serves the best momos) has to be Bihar ki rasoi. At this budget-friendly kitchen, you’ll find everything from litti chokha to a variety of mutton curries on the menu.
Where: Stall 14, Dilli Haat, Near INA Market, INA
Cost For Two: INR 800
3. Café Lota
Nestled in the heart of National Crafts Museum, this serene and peaceful café is all you need after a long stroll in the museum. The aesthetic of the creative atmosphere is perfectly captured by the vibe of this café. Minimally-done interiors with an extensive menu, there are so many Bihari delicacies that you would be spoilt for choice.
Where: National Crafts Museum, Gate 2, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan
Cost For Two: INR 1200
4. Mr. Littiwalla
If you are staying in or around Laxmi Nagar, you cannot miss out on this humble eatery. The area is filled with coaching institutes and PGs for students and this small eating joint is quite popular among them. If you are looking for authentic, budget-friendly and delicious Bihar food, then this has to be your place.
Where: B-31 Gurudwara Road Faizal Pur Madawali, Patparganj, New Delhi
Cost For Two: INR 500
5. Bhoj Puria
Don’t feel like going out? Well, you can have Bihari food at your doorstep now. Bhoj Puria does lavish Bihari thalis that can be delivered to your home too. The best part about thalis, you get to enjoy a great variety at a low-cost without the hassle of deciding what to order.
Where: Shop 9, Ground Floor, DDA Market, Opposite Mount Carmel School, Sector 22, Dwarka
Cost For Two: INR 800
6. Gaon
This is one stop-shop for a variety of regional cuisines. Be it Bihari, Rajasthani or Gujarati, you can taste the authentic flavours of any state at this village-themed restaurant. From litti chokha to champaran mutton and ghugni, you will find plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options here.
Where: Multiple Outlets (Malviya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar etc)
Cost For Two: INR 700