Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, is a beautiful place to be. The weather is always pleasant, the traffic is never overwhelming and the greenery is mesmerising. What adds to the beauty of the city is its food. This place has something for everyone. From dhuska eaten with mutton curry to khaja, a sweet treat that will impress you - the cuisine is perfectly balanced. Here are 7 famous foods of the city that you must try!
Litti Chokha:
Recipe - Chef Ranveer Brar
Litti Chokha is the quintessential dish of Ranchi, loved by locals and visitors alike. Litti, made from atta, is typically stuffed with roasted gram flour or sattu, mixed with spices and achaar. It is served with a side of chokha, a spicy mashed vegetable dish made with tomato, onion, brinjal and potatoes. Ghee adds richness and taste to the already delicious litti.
Thekua:
Thekua is a traditional sweet snack often prepared during Chhath Puja, which is in a couple of weeks from now and other festivals. It's made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, then deep-fried to perfection. Thekua is a great dessert to prepare in a large batch and store as their shelf life is really long.
Pithas:
Pithas are a staple in Ranchi's cuisine. These rice-based dumplings come in various forms, with some stuffed with sweet fillings like jaggery, coconut, or sesame seeds or savoury ones like moong dal, matar or aloo. Pithas are an essential part of festive celebrations and are served with either gud for a sweet taste or with aloo sabji for a balanced treat.
Khaja:
Recipe - Cook with Lubna
Flaky, crunchy and sweet - khaja is a popular dessert that has always put Ranchi on the foodie map of India. Whether you buy these from a street-side vendor or a sweet shop, Ranchi is known for its immaculate and tasty khaja. With a long shelf life, these stay perfect for 10-12 days easily.
Dhuska:
A breakfast favourite, dhuska is deep-fried and made with a batter of rice and dal. It is served along with aloo-kala chana ki sabji or with mutton and chicken on special occasions. Served alongside crispy and crunchy sweet jalebis, dhuska is a must-try dish.
Chilka Roti:
Recipe - Poonam's Rasoi
It is a staple food in Ranchi, made from rice flour and often served with curries or dals. The unique feature of this dish is the use of rice grains with husk (chilka), giving the roti a distinctive texture and flavour. It is very quick to prepare and hence, perfect for busy mornings.
Ghughni Chaat:
Aloo tikkis, mixed with finger-licking good matar ghughni is surely a treat waiting to be explored by the entire country. Garnished with chopped onions, roasted jeera-dhaniya-red chilli powder and lemon juice, this chaat is the best evening snack that you can enjoy in the city.