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Also known as the Millennium City, Cuttack is renowned for its thousand years of history as well as its notable silver filigree works. The city holds a prestigious place within Odisha, given that it formerly served as the state’s capital; Cuttack continues being the judicial capital of Odisha as the state’s high court is situated here. Apart from being historically and legislatively relevant, Cuttack also boasts a unique food culture. Owing to its coastal location, the city’s cuisine is teeming with seafood specialties; however, the best-known dishes of Cuttack are hearty dal-based stews, including dalma.
Head to the establishment Vanakkam Cuttack to sample a plate of the local dalma. In general, it is observed that minimal spices are used in the specialties of Cuttack, resulting in dishes that are bursting with subtle flavours. Ingredients, including garlic, onions, mustard, fenugreek, cumin, and turmeric are commonly used in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties. Remarkably, the use of ghee is typically reserved for festivals, with mustard oil serving as a substitute for ghee in most cases. Check out the top 7 local delicacies of Cuttack.
Khichdi
Image Credits: Freepik
Let’s begin with a classic comfort food that is beloved throughout India. Khichdi is of special significance in Odisha as it is one of the “prasad” offerings at the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri. The humble dish is prepared using rice and lentils, which are cooked together in ghee alongside various spices, such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. This simple dish serves as a filling lunch or dinner option at home, and also as a nourishing prasad for devotees visiting the Jagannath Puri Temple.
Recommendations: Arnapurna Kitchen
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹150, approx.
Dalma
Like khichdi, one of the hero ingredients of the dalma dish is the pigeon pea lentil. The aromatic specialty combines several vegetables, including potato, brinjal, drumstick, tomatoes, and raw bananas to form a texturally complex and enriching dish. The use of spices and seasonings, such as mustard, cumin, turmeric, bay leaf, and dried chillis elevates dalma to a dish that transcends being a simple dal offering. Dalma also has religious significance, being a component of the legendary Chappan Bhog that is served at the Jagannath Puri Temple.
Recommendations: Vanakkam Cuttack
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹500, approx.
Bara Ghuguni
Image Credits: By Nayan j Nath - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
In this Odia street food specialty, two distinct dishes combine to form one wholesome dish known as bara ghuguni. Bara refers to deep-fried round delicacies that are typically prepared using lentil batter. This bara is paired with a flavour-packed dried peas curry called ghuguni that is seasoned with onions, tomatoes, and coriander leaves. Together, these separate elements unite to create a deeply nourishing and inviting breakfast dish that is savoured not only in Cuttack but all through Odisha.
Recommendations: Kalia Sahu Bara Ghuguni Shop
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹150, approx.
Dahi Bara Aloo Dum
Image Credits: By Prateek Pattanaik - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
A lipsmacking street food of Odia cuisine, dahi bara aloo dum is also fondly called Cuttack dahi bara aloo dum as this specialty was invented in Cuttack. Essentially, the dish features dahi bara, that is, dahi vada, which is topped with flavourful aloo dum and a gently-spiced yellow peas “ghuguni” curry. The dish is further garnished with sev, and sliced onion and coriander leaves. The softness of the dahi bara pairs well with the crunch of the sev, infusing the dish with a lovely balance of textures.
Recommendations: Raghu Dahibara Aludum
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200, approx.
Biri Chakuli
Image Credits: By ଜଗଦୀଶ ଉତ୍ତରକବାଟ - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons
Also known as chakuli pitha, biri chakuli is a traditional Odia pancake dish that is crafted from fermented rice and lentil batter. Soaked rice and lentils are usually ground together and fermented overnight to prepare the batter, which is subsequently moulded into crispy pancakes on a hot girdle. A popular breakfast item, biri chakuli is usually relished with multiple condiments, including curry, sambar, or chutney. The meal is beloved for its appetising taste as well as its nourishing qualities.
Recommendations: Mahaveer Tiffin Stall
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹150, approx.
Rasabali
Image Credits: By Swetapadma07 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Just like Cuttack offers various savoury specialties, the city is also abundant in sweet dishes. One of these desserts is the mouthwatering rasabali. These super soft, melt-in-the-mouth delights are prepared from a batter is crafted from ingredients, such as cottage cheese, sooji, maida, milk, cardamom, saffron, and almonds. The batter is shaped into bite-sized almonds and deep-fried till golden. Subsequently, the balls are doused in milk to give them a creamy texture and topped off with cashews and almonds.
Recommendations: Mahalaxmi Sweets
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200, approx.
Chhena Poda
Image Credits: By http://recipes.oriyaonline.com/content_images/chhena%20poda.JPG/Wikimedia Commons
Chhena poda is a traditional cottage cheese-based Odia dessert. Literally translating to “roasted paneer,” the ingredients for this sweet dish include fresh paneer, sugar, and various flavourings. The authentic way of making this dish is by baking it on an earthen or a brick stove. However, homemade versions can also be baked in the oven. This dish has cultural as well as religious significance as it is offered as a prasad to Lord Jagannath and is also a part of the esteemed Chappan Bhog at the Jagannath Puri Temple.
Recommendations: Nilakantha Sweets
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹150, approx.
