Signature dishes of Bihar, equally used in Jharkhand and Eastern UP and wherever Biharis live.
- Litti Chokha: needs no introductions. It is baap of Daal baati. Daal baati is like unstuffed roasted ball of flour alongwith dal while litti chokha is full of flavours and taste. Once I described the way it is made and eaten to a Rajasthani friend of mine. He said that the way it is made it has to be tasty. Later, I made him taste that and he was like wow. It is the most desi dish, I could ever imagine and if accompanied with meat made in handi, it is out of world. Chokha of aloo, baigan and tamatar baked or boiled or grilled or roasted and then mashed with dhania and lemon is havenly and mouth watering.
2. stuffed Pitha: Bihari momos. It can be made with dozens of edible stuffing ranging from daal to paneer and boiling/steaming. It can be later fried too. Very earthy and unique dish.
3. Rohu fish in bihari style: We have a very unique way of creating the gravy of fish that is always done in Mustard oil. No garam masala used. A true delicacy that I could never find anywhere else.
4. Tilkut: it is made by beating sesame seeds with sugar, jaggery, dry fruits and condiments like saffron and elaichi. Pardada of rewri and baap of Gajjak. Tilkut from Gaya region are the best.
5. Silao Khaja:
An awarded sweet. Also made salty. You probably won’t find similar dish anywhere else.
Silao Khaja is different from other Nehru Topi Khaja
found at other places. This is made with 100s of layers that makes it super crispy and tasty.
6. Thekua: Bihar’s answer to cookies. Keep a jar full homemde in desi ghee and it will always satisfy your sweet tooth and taste buds.
7. Perukiya:
No. this is not Gujhia. This is far more stable Bihari version that can last a few months while remaining tasty. Stuffed with roasted and sweetened semolina and dry fruits. Bachelors living out of home safeguard this delicacy and savour the taste of home. It is a home made dish and ordinarily one can not buy it from sweets shop.
8. Daal, bhaat, chokha: Do not underestimate the power of this superfast food of Bihar. If you have a cooker with separator like this:
You will get daal, bhaat and chokha all coocked together. Ask your parents if they studied outside home. This dish must have helped them in having homemade food away from home, most easily.
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9. Sattu ka sharbat: Bihari Horlics. An extreme thirst quencher and super tasty drink, specially for summers. It could even be used as a protein shake. I love it when sattu has roasted and powedered cumin seeds, onion, green chilly and topped with lemon juice. Mouth watering. I bet this bihari superdrink will beat all the traditional and modern drinks in nutrition and taste, even lassi.
There are many more signature dishes and sweets very popular in that region that I will add here gradually.
One thing is very peculiar about Bihari signature dishes. They are all made to eat in plenty. Size zero aspirants and calorie concious guys please excuse.