Best Places To Eat Champaran Mutton In Patna
While one of Bihar’s most renowned dishes is the traditional Litti Chokha, another dish which deserves to be celebrated with as much love is the Champaran Mutton or Ahuna Mutton. This rustic and flavourful preparation comes from the Champaran region in Bihar. The mutton is marinated with garlic, ginger, onions, green chilies, and an array of aromatic spices. The marinated mutton is traditionally slow-cooked in an earthen pot, sealed with dough to trap the flavours and juices inside. This cooking method allows the mutton to cook in its own juices, absorbing the spices deeply and becoming tender and succulent. Here’s a list of some of the best places in Patna to try this delicacy.
Champaran Dhaba
With the perfect balance of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on their menu, Champaran Dhaba is a popular spot for North Indian food. Be it slow-cooked mutton, a flavourful pot of biryani, or lip-smacking paneer made with a blend of spices, you can get everything at Champaran Dhaba and that too at reasonable rates.
The Potbelly
This neat and tidy canteen-style restaurant serves a wide range of dishes that bring to the table, the delicious flavours from Bihar. In traditional and modern avatars, the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes offer a glimpse into the culinary art from various regions and communities of the state. Look for dishes such as the Bihari Burger or the Fish Chokha On Marua Roti, Keema Ghoogni, the coveted Ahura Muton or Posta Dana Machli (cooked with poppy seeds). The eatery also serves a Bhojpuri thali, a Maithli thali, Madhubani thali that represent the various communities of Bihar along with traditional dishes such as Litti Chokha, Tehri and Ranchi ka Pulao.
Champaran Meat House
There are multiple eateries in Patna that call themselves Champaran Meat House. Champaran Mutton or Ahuna Mutton is a recipe that originated in the Champaran region of the state and became as popular as Bihar’s most favourite dish Litti Chokha. The dish is traditionally slow-cooked in an earthen pot, sealed with dough to trap the flavours and juices inside. The restaurant sells this dish in 100 gm, 200 gm and 500 gm packs. They are also known for their Ahuna Chicken, Chicken and mutton Ishtu, fish curry, fish fry and Litti.
Old Champaran Meat House
Started in 2014 this restaurant is one of the most loved places in Patna especially for their Champaran Mutton or Ahuna Mutton. The restaurant has received recognition from the government of India and claims to cook with hardly any oil. The mutton is served in covered earthen pots. According to the owner Gopal Kumar Kushwaha, of this restaurant Champaran Mutton is really easy to make and while there are many restaurants across India this was the original idea but he doesn’t want any copyright on it as he is happy that people are getting employment thanks to this dish. Apart from Ahuna Mutton, the eatery serves a variety of mutton dishes such as Mutton Handi and Mutton Masala which can be eaten with roti, rice or litti.
Raju Champaran Meat House
Another popular eatery that cooks Champaran mutton and is loved by both social media influencers and locals is the Raju Champaran Meat house. The owner Raju claims that while there are many other restaurants claiming to be original, his was the first shop to have opened in Patna, that sold Champaran Mutton. When he first opened his shop, he was discouraged by many as it was believed that Biharis only ate chicken in restaurants and not mutton.
Dadan Handi Meat
Owned by Dadan Sing Rawat, this place makes about 20 kilos of mutton every day. The restaurant serves unlimited rotis and rice with the meals. The mutton takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours to cook. The soft pieces of meat melt in the mouth. The place has a dhaba feel to it and is perfect to go to with a large group. The restaurant is open on all days of the week and is a great place if one wishes to see the process of the mutton being cooked in large quantities.
Vishal Champaran Meat House
A favourite among video bloggers, food enthusiasts. Vishal Champaran meat house is as famous for its handi mutton as it is for its mutton ishtu and chicken Ishtu. The small shop with an open outdoor space has men cooking the meat in large kadhais. The aromas of the tender meat blended with the masalas will lead you to the shop. The thali usually serves the meat gravy, with hot rice and salad.
Chanpatiya Paratha Meat House
Located near the Boring Road area, this eatery is known for a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It is also quite popular for its Ahuna or Handi mutton. Rich in flavours, the mutton curry here is cooked with a variety of whole spices. Each handi holds a kilo of mutton where there are approximately 24 pieces. The handis are priced at about Rs 1200 each. This place also serves various local vegetarian dishes such as Aloo Parwal Bhujiya, Karela Bhujia, Bhindi Bhujia, Paneer Bharta. Another speciality here is the fish gravy and the fish fried in mustard oil. The eatery is hygienic and has a clean, large dining area.
