10 Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try – Name, Pictures, Recipes, and Street Foods
Let’s explore famous Odisha foods, starting from Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, Macha Besara, and Chenna Poda, Odisha is known for its rich culture and traditions, as well as its delicious cuisine.
The famous food of Odisha is influenced by the state’s coastal location, and Hindu tradition and features a variety of dishes made from rice, fish, and vegetables.
In this article, let’s look at the famous foods of Odisha with pictures and recipes.
List of 10 Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try
Here is the List of 10 Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try:
- Dahi Bara Aloo Dum: This is a popular snack made from deep-fried lentil balls served with yogurt and potato curry. It is a delicious and satisfying snack that is often eaten for breakfast or as an evening snack.
- Macha Besara: It is made from fish cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce made from mustard seeds, poppy seeds, and a mixture of spices. The dish is named after the main ingredient, fish (Macha), and Besara, which means “paste” in the local language.
- Chenna Poda: This is a popular dessert made from cheese, sugar, and a mixture of spices. The cheese is baked until it turns golden brown and has a sweet, caramel-like flavor.
- Ghuguni: This is a popular snack made from dried yellow peas that are cooked with a mixture of spices and herbs. It is a delicious and filling snack that is often eaten with puffed rice or bread.
- Pitha: This is a type of sweet or savory cake made from a variety of ingredients, including rice, lentils, and coconut. Pitha is a popular snack that is enjoyed during festivals and special occasions.
- Pakhala: Pakhala is a popular dish from Odisha. It is made from cooked rice and water and is left to ferment overnight. The resulting dish has a sour and tangy flavor and is often enjoyed as a refreshing and cooling summer meal.
- Macha Munda Chencheda: Macha Munda Chencheda is a popular dish from Odisha. It is made from fish and vegetables (pumpkin and Cabbage) cooked in a spicy sauce made from coconut, poppy seeds, and a mixture of spices. The dish is named after the two main ingredients, fish head (Macha Munda) and vegetables, and Chencheda, which means “mixture” in the local language.
- Vegetable Ghanta: It is made from a mixture of vegetables and lentils cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce made from poppy seeds, coconut, and a mixture of spices. The dish is named after the local word for “mixture” (ghanta), as it is made from a mix of ingredients.
- Dalma: The name “Dalma” comes from the Odia word “Dalma,” which means “a mixture of lentils and vegetables.” This dish is often served as a main course and is a staple of Odia cuisine.
- Mudhi Mansa: The name “Mudhi Mansa” comes from the Odia words “Mudhi,” which means “puffed rice,” and “Mansa,” which means “meat.” This dish is a staple of Odia cuisine and is often served as a main course during festivals and special occasions.
Famous Odisha Foods – Dahi Bara Aloo Dum
Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is a very popular snack in Odisha. It is made from deep-fried lentil balls served with yogurt and potato curry. The lentil balls, known as bara, are made from a mixture of lentils, spices, and herbs. They are deep-fried until crispy and then served with creamy and flavorful yogurt and potato curry.
The dish is often eaten for breakfast or as an evening snack and is known for its delicious flavor and satisfying texture. The combination of the crispy lentil balls and the creamy yogurt curry makes for a delicious and satisfying snack. It is also a vegetarian dish, making it a popular choice for people who follow a plant-based diet.
Dahi Bara Aloo Dum is a delicious and satisfying snack that is worth trying if you ever have the chance to visit Bhubaneswar, Puri, or Cuttack.
Famous Odisha Foods: Macha Besara
Macha Besara is one of the Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try if you are a fish lover. It is made from fish cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce made from mustard seeds, poppy seeds, and a mixture of spices. The dish is named after the main ingredient, fish (macha), and Basara, which means “paste” in the local language.
To make Macha Besara, the fish is first marinated in a mixture of spices, such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander. The marinated fish is then cooked in a sauce made from mustard seeds, poppy seeds, and a mixture of spices. The resulting dish has a spicy and tangy flavor, with tender and flaky fish.
Macha Besara is often served with steamed rice and a side of yogurt or pickles. It is a popular dish among locals and is often enjoyed during special occasions and festivals.
Overall, Macha Besara is a delicious and flavorful dish that is worth trying if you ever have the chance to try the cuisine of Odisha. The combination of fish and a spicy and tangy sauce makes for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Famous Odisha Foods: Chenna Poda
Chenna Poda is one of the Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try if you like sweets. It is made from cheese, sugar, and a mixture of spices, and is baked until it turns golden brown and has a sweet, caramel-like flavor.
The dish is made by mixing cheese with sugar, semolina, and a mixture of spices, such as cardamom and nutmeg. The mixture is then placed in a baking dish and baked until it turns golden brown. The finished dish has a soft and creamy texture, with a sweet and slightly spicy flavor.
Chenna Poda is often served as a dessert after a meal and is a popular choice for special occasions and festivals.
Famous Odisha Foods – Ghuguni
Ghuguni is a popular snack from Odisha. It is made from dried yellow peas that are cooked with a mixture of spices and herbs. The peas are soaked overnight, then cooked until soft and mashed into a thick paste. The paste is then flavored with a mixture of spices, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and is cooked until it forms a thick, stew-like consistency.
Ghugni is often eaten as a snack, served with snacks like Samosa, Bora, bonda, etc, Aaloo chop, Bread chop, etc. It is a satisfying and filling snack that is often enjoyed during the afternoon or evening.
If you like street food, then you must try ghuguni, which is most commonly available in the streets of Odisha, which makes it one of the most famous Odisha foods.
Famous Odisha Foods: Pitha
Pitha is a type of sweet or savory cake from Odisha. It is one of many famous Odisha foods that are prepared during Odisha festivals. It is made from a variety of ingredients, including rice, lentils, and coconut, and is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
Pitha is made by mixing rice flour with a variety of ingredients, such as lentils, coconut, and jaggery, to form a dough. The dough is then shaped into small cakes and cooked until golden brown. The finished pitha has a crispy and slightly chewy texture, with a sweet or savory flavor depending on the ingredients used.
Pitha is a popular snack that is enjoyed during festivals and special occasions.
Famous Odisha Foods: Pakhala
Pakhala is one of the most famous Odisha Foods You Must Try in the summer.
To make Pakhala, cooked rice is mixed with water and left to ferment overnight. The next day, the fermented rice is drained and mixed with additional water, salt, and spices, such as cumin and mustard seeds. The mixture is then served chilled, often with a side of yogurt or vegetable curry.
Pakhala is a popular dish during the hot summers, as it is believed to have a cooling effect on the body. It is also a vegetarian dish, making it a popular choice for people who follow a plant-based diet.
In conclusion, Pakhala is a delicious and refreshing dish that is worth trying if you ever have the chance to try the cuisine of Odisha. The sour and tangy flavor of the fermented rice, combined with the spices and herbs, makes for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Pakhala is one of the most famous Odisha Foods and is not seen anywhere else in India. To promote the cuisine in the modern era, Pakhala Dibasa was declared on 20 March 20, 2011, by a popular initiative to be celebrated by Odias worldwide
Famous Odisha Foods – Macha Munda Chencheda – Macha Munda Ghanta
Macha Munda Chencheda also known as Macha Munda Ghanta is probably one of the Unique foods you will find in Odisha that you may not see anywhere else in India. Macha Munda Chencheda is a dish prepared with Fish Head and mix it with vegetables like pumpkin and Cabbage.
This dish, after preparation, is mostly dry and is mostly prepared in the summer along with Pakhala.
Famous Odisha Foods: Vegetable Ghanta
If you are a vegetarian, then you must try Odia Ghanta. It is more like a mix-vegetable curry but with Odia style. It’s a common dish prepared in every household in Odisha.
It is made from a mixture of vegetables and lentils cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce made from poppy seeds, coconut, and a mixture of spices. The dish is named after the local word for “mixture” (ghanta), as it is made from a mix of ingredients.
To make Ghanta, the vegetables, and lentils are first cooked until tender. The cooked ingredients are then mixed with a sauce made from poppy seeds, grated coconut, and a mixture of spices. The resulting dish has a rich and flavorful sauce, with tender and flavorful vegetables and lentils.
Famous Odisha Foods – Dalma
Dalma is one of the Famous Odisha Foods You Must Try. It is a delicious and hearty lentil-based stew that is made with a variety of vegetables and spices.
To make Dalma, lentils are first soaked in water for several hours to soften them. Then, they are cooked with a mix of vegetables such as pumpkin, eggplant, and drumstick, as well as spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The stew is cooked until the lentils and vegetables are soft and tender, and the flavors have melded together.
One of the best things about dalma is its versatility. Different regions of Odisha have their own variations of the dish, and people often add their own twist to the recipe by using different vegetables or spices. Some people also like to add a little bit of tamarind or lemon juice to the stew to give it a tangy flavor.
Dalma is typically served with rice, but it can also be eaten with roti or other flatbreads. It is a satisfying and filling dish that is perfect for a cold winter day.
Famous Odisha Foods – Mudhi Mansa
Mudhi Mansa is one of the Unique dishes from Odisha. It is a delicious and hearty stew made with puffed rice and mutton.
To make Mudhi Mansa, puffed rice is first soaked in water to soften it. The mutton is then cooked with a mix of spices, such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander until it is tender and juicy. The puffed rice is then added to the stew and cooked until it absorbs the flavors of the mutton and spices.
One of the best things about Mudhi Mansa is its rich, flavorful taste. The puffed rice adds a unique texture to the dish, and the mutton and spices give it a delicious and satisfying flavor.
Mudhi Mansa is typically served with rice, but it can also be eaten with roti or other flatbreads. It is a filling and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cold winter day.
Overall, Mudhi Mansa is a delicious and nourishing dish that is an important part of Odisha’s culinary heritage. It is a must-try for anyone who loves mutton and puffed rice and is a great way to experience the flavors of this beautiful region of India.
You will find Mudhi Mansa mostly in Northern Odisha Districts like Balasore and Baripada.
In conclusion, Odisha is a state with a rich culinary heritage, and its food is known for its unique flavors and ingredients. If you ever have the chance to visit Odisha, be sure to try some of these famous foods and experience the delicious cuisine of the region.
Follow us on our Instagram page, IncredibleOdisha
Final Thoughts on Famous Odisha Foods
“In conclusion, Famous Odisha Foods is not just a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the state, but they also offer an unparalleled gastronomic experience.
From mouth-watering sweets to savory delights, the cuisine of Odisha invites everyone to indulge in its varied flavors.
If you haven’t yet tasted the culinary wonders of this region, you’re surely missing out on a delectable journey.
Remember, each dish tells a story, each bite speaks of tradition, and every flavor transports you to the heart of Odisha.
FAQ on Famous Odisha Foods
What is the 5 famous food of Odisha?
The most famous foods of Odisha include Mudhi mansa, Dahi Bora Aalu Dum, Dalma, rasagolla, and Macha Besara. These flavorful dishes are prepared with minimal oil and spices, making them suitable for all ages to enjoy. Experience the diverse culinary delights of Odisha with these iconic dishes.
What is the main food of Odisha?
Odisha’s main food is rice, which is the staple of the region. Mustard oil is occasionally used as a cooking medium, but ghee made from cow’s milk is favored in temples. Rice plays a significant role in the culinary traditions of Odisha, supported by the preference for ghee in religious settings.
What are some popular ingredients used in Odisha cuisine?
Some popular ingredients used in Odisha cuisine include rice, fish, lentils, coconut, and a variety of spices and herbs.
What is a typical meal like in Odisha?
A typical meal in Odisha typically consists of rice, lentils, vegetables, and fish or meat. The meal is often served with a side of yogurt or pickles.
Are there any popular snacks in Odisha?
Yes, there are many popular snacks in Odisha, such as Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, Ghugni, and Pitha. These snacks are often enjoyed as an evening snack or during festivals and special occasions.
Is Odisha cuisine vegetarian-friendly?
es, there are many vegetarian dishes in Odisha cuisines, such as Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, Ghugni, and Pitha. These dishes are made from a variety of plant-based ingredients and are suitable for people who follow a plant-based diet.
Are there any popular drinks in Odisha?
Yes, some popular drinks in Odisha include lassi, a yogurt-based drink, and jal jeera, a refreshing drink made from cumin, mint, and lemon juice. These drinks are often enjoyed as a refreshing beverage during the hot summer months.
When is Pakhala Divas celebrated?
Pakhala Divas is celebrated on 20th March every year since 2011.
What is the capital food of Odisha?
The capital food of Odisha is primarily centered around mustard oil and rice, which serve as the main cooking medium and staple food respectively. However, when it comes to dishes prepared as offerings to the deity, pure ghee is used. Purity and adherence to Hindu scriptures play a significant role in the preparation of food in the Puri region.
