The cuisine of Odisha, also referred to as the “Odia Cuisine,” is a mash-up of many ingredients and customs. Odisha’s cuisine is heavily inspired by the cuisine of North India, Bengal, and Assam because it borders both South and North Indian states. The primary cuisine consumed in Odisha is rice, which is typically cooked in mustard oil. Many of Odisha’s recipes have a significant amount of yoghurt, while many sweets are made with chhena (a type of cheese). Odia cuisine is flavorful but less greasy and spicy. Odisha, dubbed “the Goa of Eastern India,” is like the ultimate culinary hub for any cuisine enthusiast.
Here is our list of the best dishes from Odisha:
1. Macha Ghanta
Every household in Odisha enjoys fish meals, and Macha Ghanta is a local delicacy that is loved by all odiyas! This mouthwatering stew, which includes the fried head of the fish, is a must-offer to Durga Maa on Dussehra. It is served with steaming steamed rice and salad. The curry is a flavorful combination of onions, potatoes, garlic, and common spices. Vegans can prepare a simple “Ghanta” simply omitting the fish. No matter where you go, there isn’t a dish like this, and it will certainly tempt you to eat it repeatedly till you reach Odisha.
2. Khaja
A delicious meal that is worth savouring, Khaja, that is crisp and crackly. With just a few simple ingredients and numerous cooking ways, it is a blast of taste and texture. There are only a few ingredients: refined flour, clarified butter, sugar, water, cardamom, and optional rose water. To make the dough into thin tortillas, flour and ghee are mixed together. With the use of ghee and dry flour, these tortillas are then stacked one on top of the other. A total of six layers are created before they are rolled and cut into pieces. They need to be slightly flattened from the sides before being deep-fried till golden. The layered, crispy delicacy is finished with a flavor-infused sugar syrup and is ready for consumption!
3. Rasabali
The delicious dessert is soaked in thick flavoured milk and topped with cardamoms. Chapana bhogas, a meal served in the Lord Jagannath temple, have their roots in the Kendrapara area of Odisha.
4. Gupchup
In Western India, it is referred to as Panipuri, but in Bengal, Golgappa, the north, and Odisha, it is known as Puchka. There is no need to introduce this quick snack, which is nearly a national institution. Small, crisp puris prepared from suji, maida, and atta dough are served with chana masala and khatta Jal jeera in this incredibly popular street snack. There is perhaps just one dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages at any time of day. The nicest aspect of this dish is how inexpensive and light it is—you frequently see gupchup eating contests on your streets. It is unquestionably everyone’s fave!
5. Kanika
The list of 56 items in Lord Jagannath’s “Chappan Bhog” includes a dish consisting of sweet pulao that is customarily served in Orissa. Prior to biriyani, kanika was the preferred Odiya meal, then fried rice replaced it. The flavorful basmati rice can be used in place of the customary raw rice used to make kanika. The Kanika rice is an essential food in Orissa, where it is typically produced as a gift for temples. It goes best with a delicious chicken or mutton curry.