Cuisine & Must Try Dishes

Chhattisgarhi Cuisine

Chhattisgarh, also known as the "Rice Bowl of India," has a unique and flavorful cuisine that is deeply influenced by its tribal heritage, local ingredients, and agricultural abundance. The state’s food is simple, healthy, and delicious, with an emphasis on rice, lentils, leafy vegetables, and millets.

Here are the must-try dishes in Chhattisgarh that you should not miss:

 Signature Traditional Dishes

1. Chana Samosa – The Street Food King

✅ What is it?

• Unlike the usual samosa, Chhattisgarh’s Chana Samosa is served with a spicy and tangy chana (chickpea) curry.
• Topped with chopped onions, coriander, and chutney, making it an irresistible snack.

✅ Where to Try?
 Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Jagdalpur

 Best Time to Eat: Evening Snack

Highlight: A must-try for street food lovers, offering a spicy and tangy flavor burst.

2. Faraa – Chhattisgarh’s Version of Momos

✅ What is it?

• Steamed rice flour dumplings, similar to South Indian idlis or Tibetan momos.
• Served with coriander chutney or eaten plain as a healthy breakfast.

✅ Where to Try?
 Raipur, Dhamtari, Ambikapur

 Best Time to Eat: Breakfast

Highlight: A light and healthy alternative to deep-fried snacks.

3. Dubki Kadhi – A Comforting Lentil Curry

✅ What is it?

• A flavorful gram flour curry with small dumplings, served with steamed rice.
• A staple in Chhattisgarhi households, often eaten for lunch or dinner.

✅ Where to Try?
 Rajim, Raigarh, Bastar

 Best Time to Eat: Lunch/Dinner

Highlight: A comfort food similar to Punjabi Kadhi but lighter.

4. Bhajia – The Crispy Delight

✅ What is it?

• Deep-fried fritters made from gram flour and vegetables (onion, potato, or spinach).
• Often served hot with green chutney and chai.

✅ Where to Try?
 Raipur, Bilaspur, Jagdalpur

 Best Time to Eat: Evening Snack

Highlight: The perfect crispy snack for chai lovers!

5. Bafauri – A Healthy Steamed Snack

✅ What is it?

• A healthy and protein-rich snack made from chana dal (Bengal gram), steamed instead of fried.
• Seasoned with spices and herbs, making it a nutritious and flavorful snack.

✅ Where to Try?
 Durg, Kanker, Ambikapur

 Best Time to Eat: Breakfast/Snack

Highlight: A high-protein, oil-free snack, perfect for health-conscious foodies.

 Tribal & Traditional Delicacies

6. Angakar Roti – The Traditional Rice Bread

✅ What is it?

• A thick, soft rice flour roti, popular in rural and tribal communities.
• Usually eaten with green leafy sabzi, chutney, or curd.

✅ Where to Try?
 Jagdalpur, Kanker, Dantewada

 Best Time to Eat: Lunch/Dinner

Highlight: A staple in tribal households, made from locally grown rice.

7. Chusela – The Deep-Fried Rice Delight

✅ What is it?

• A crispy, deep-fried rice puri, made with fermented rice flour dough.
• Served with aloo sabzi (potato curry) or chutney.

✅ Where to Try?
 Bastar, Dhamtari, Rajnandgaon

 Best Time to Eat: Breakfast/Dinner

Highlight: Crunchy on the outside, soft inside – a unique Chhattisgarhi treat!

8. Bore Baasi – The Farmer’s Energy Meal

✅ What is it?

• Soaked cooked rice, fermented overnight and eaten cold the next morning.
• Served with curd, onions, and green chilies, providing instant energy and cooling effects.

✅ Where to Try?
 Villages of Bastar, Kanker, Jashpur

Best Time to Eat: Breakfast

Highlight: A natural probiotic meal, known for its cooling and digestive benefits.

 Rich & Flavorful Curries

9. Arhar Dal Pithi – The Chhattisgarhi Dal Dumpling Dish

✅ What is it?

• A lentil curry with stuffed wheat dumplings, giving it a rich and filling taste.
• Popular in festivals and traditional gatherings.

✅ Where to Try?
 Bilaspur, Raigarh, Rajim

Best Time to Eat: Lunch/Dinner

Highlight: A protein-packed, hearty dish with a unique twist.

10. Kohda Roti – The Pumpkin Flatbread

✅ What is it?

• A soft, flavorful roti made with pumpkin puree and wheat flour.
• Served with ghee, jaggery, or chutney.

✅ Where to Try?
 Rural areas of Surguja & Koriya

 Best Time to Eat: Breakfast/Dinner

Highlight: A nutritious, mildly sweet, and soft roti, loved by locals.

 Unique Tribal Beverages & Sweets

11. Mahua Drink – The Traditional Tribal Liquor

✅ What is it?

• A fermented drink made from Mahua flowers, consumed by tribal communities.
• Used in rituals, celebrations, and tribal gatherings.

✅ Where to Try?
 Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker

 Best Time to Drink: Festive & cultural events

Highlight: A traditional and mildly intoxicating drink, unique to tribal life.

12. Dehrori – The Festive Sweet Dish

✅ What is it?

• Deep-fried rice dumplings, soaked in sugar syrup and garnished with dry fruits.
• Made during festivals like Diwali and Holi.

✅ Where to Try?
 Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg

 Best Time to Eat: Dessert

Highlight: A sweet, syrupy delicacy, perfect for special occasions.