The regional cuisines of India are packed with plenty of delicious flavours that can make any foodie fall in love with them. With local ingredients and unique cooking styles, every state in our country has some iconic dishes that are popular all over India and across the borders. However, only a few of them are in the limelight, while the rest are still undercover.
Speaking particularly about Bihar, this state is rich in culture and traditions. Its capital, Patna, is among the most rapidly growing cities and has numerous tourist attractions. This place is also a paradise for food lovers. Be it a posh restaurant or a street food joint, the culinary delights of this city are surely going to steal your taste buds.
Here are the top eight dishes to try on your next visit to Patna:
Litti chokha is an iconic dish from Bihar that is world-famous. This traditional food consists of two main components: litti and chokha. Litti is made with wheat flour that is dry-roasted in firewood. Chokha is prepared with smoked brinjals, tomatoes, and potatoes. Available in every nook and cranny of the city, it is also very pocket friendly.
Chana Ghugni
Chana ghugni is a flavourful and filling chickpea dish that is very common in Bhojpuri, Magadhi, and Maithil cuisines. It is prepared with black chickpeas, dried green peas, peanuts, and spices like cumin seeds and coriander powder. Ghugni is also garnished with chopped onions, coriander, and lime juice. It can be paired with rice as well as roti for all three meals.
Khaja
If you have a sweet tooth, then try khaja in Patna. This multi-layered sweet pastry is puffy and juicy and tastes heavenly. It is made from wheat flour and mawa that is soaked in sugar syrup. Khaja are widely available in Patna, and you can also take some back home for your family, they have a long shelf life.
Tilkut
Also known as gajak, this sweet is specially prepared during the festival of Makar Sankranti, but in Patna, it is available in every season. Made from punched sesame seeds and sugar (or jaggery), it has a luxurious taste. Tilkut has a shelf life of at least two weeks, so you can also take a box back home for your family.
Batata Puri
Batata puri is a very popular street food in the city and is loved by both locals and tourists. They are basically crispy balls prepared from semolina and are filled with spiced mashed potatoes, yoghurt, pomegranate seeds, chutneys, and sev. You can find this yummy and flavourful delight in every chaat corner of Patna.
Chandrakala
This is another heavenly dessert for all sweet lovers. Chandrakala is very similar to the iconic sweet treat gujiya and is very famous in Patna. It has a crispy cover and is stuffed with khoya, coconut, cardamom powder, and dry fruits. To enhance its sweetness, chandrakala is dipped in sugar syrup.
Pantua
This mithai from Patna is also popular in the region of Bengal. Pantua is very similar to kala jamun but has a little harder crust. It is perfect to relish as a dessert after a wholesome Bihari meal. This brown and spongy deep-fried mithai is made with mawa, sugar, ghee, and milk.
Balushahi
This desi doughnut from India is very famous in Patna. Made with all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, and khoya, it is deep-fried until perfection. Balushahi is also flavoured with cardamom powder, saffron, and cinnamon. With each bite, this sweet just captures your taste buds. You can find balushahi in every sweet shop in the city.