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If you ever hear two Odias arguing about something, then just know that they are arguing about which Dahi Bara is better- Cuttack’s or Bhubaneswar’s. After all, their mornings don’t start without a plate of Dahi Bara Aloo Dum. We know that an ideal breakfast for you should be full of nutrients and should be a little fancy but Odias don’t go by the rule. A scrumptious plate of Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is enough to prepare them for the day. Be it Barabati Chowk or Master Canteen, you won’t cease to find a Dahi Bara wala beating his handis and calling out “Dahi Bara”. Yes, Odisha’s Dahi Bara walas come with about 3-4 steel handis and at least 5 small tins tied to their cycles. A quintessential breakfast option, Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is found everywhere in Odisha. And when we say everywhere, we mean it; from wedding parties to birthdays and from 5-star restaurants to roadside stalls.
Well, you might be wondering by now what’s so special in Odisha’s Dahi Bara Aloo Dum? Dahi Vada is indeed found in every other state in India but there’s nothing like Odisha’s version. Unlike the regular Dahi Vada which is slightly on the sweeter side, Odisha’s Dahi Bara is completely savoury. Odisha’s Dahi Bara is soaked in a curd mixture that has more water content than curd. Even the Bara or Vada is made differently. The Bara batter has urad dal and rice in the ratio of 1:2. Some people also add sooji to their Baras to give them a different texture and mouthfeel.
Odisha’s Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is not just Dahi Bara and Aloo Dum. Its Dahi Bara Aloo Dum with 6-7 different additional toppings. The fact that you’ll get a distinct taste of every street's Dahi Bara Aloo Dum depends upon the toppings that the vendor adds. While the famous Bidanashi Dahi Bara of Cuttack serves just Dahi Bara and Aloo dum, the vendors in Bhubaneswar serve Dahi Bara, Aloo Dum, Ghuguni (white chickpea curry) and 4 different types of toppings. The Aloo Dum served with Dahi Bara is usually spicy and bright red which compliments the subtle Dahi Bara. While simple Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is delicious in its subtle form, the one topped with other things is decadent in its way.
As we have blabbered so much about the toppings, you must be wondering what they are. And without further ado, here we are listing them down. The bright red Aloo dum is first topped with the yellow Ghuguni. This mixture is then topped with chopped onions, coriander leaves, green chilli chutney, plain curd, and finally with some crispy sev that acts as the cherry on the cake.
Well, you must be thinking by now that we are exaggerating Odisha’s Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, aren’t you? If you are, then you need to try Dahi Bara Aloo Dum soon to prove yourself wrong. Wait, can’t travel all the way to Odisha? Here’s the recipe if you want to try making it at home. Try it out and relish with the delicious toppings we have mentioned here to taste Odisha on a plate.
Well, you must be thinking by now that we are exaggerating Odisha’s Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, aren’t you? If you are, then you need to try Dahi Bara Aloo Dum soon to prove yourself wrong. Wait, can’t travel all the way to Odisha? Here’s the recipe if you want to try making it at home. Try it out and relish with the delicious toppings we have mentioned here to taste Odisha on a plate.
