Last Updated At: 15-Apr-2025
When we think of India’s diverse food scene, Bihari cuisine often slips under the radar. But do you know that this eastern state holds a culinary heritage as rich as its history? Rooted in tradition, seasoned with culture and often surprisingly healthy, Bihari food is a flavour bomb - rustic, comforting and most importantly - real.
Whether you’re a food explorer, a home chef searching for unique Indian recipes or just someone who wants to cook with authenticity, this is your one-stop guide to 15 authentic Bihari dishes you must try. So, ready to let your palate travel?
Here’s our handpicked list of must-try dishes of Bihar, complete with step-by-step recipes nutritional insights and tips to make each dish healthier or more indulgent. What dish will you try first? Do let us know!
Litti Chokha is the heart and soul of Bihari cuisine, combining the rustic flavors of roasted wheat flour balls (litti) with smoky mashed vegetables like eggplant, potatoes and tomatoes (chokha). This iconic dish of Bihar is both hearty and flavorful, a must-have during festivals like Chhath Puja. It is a true representation of Bihar’s culinary traditions, celebrated for its earthy taste and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Recipe for Litti
Recipe for Chokha
Nutrition
Cultural Note: Historically a farmer’s meal, it’s now a symbol of Bihari pride.
Where to Try: Visit Ganga Ghat in Patna for authentic Litti Chokha stalls
Craving a breakfast that’s filling, healthy and rustic? Sattu Paratha is your perfect match. It’s hearty, protein-packed and rich in flavour. Often served with yogurt or pickle, this Bihari delight is both filling and energizing, making it an ideal start to your day.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Earthy, spicy and tangy - a comfort food in every bite.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A go-to breakfast in rural Bihar, especially in the summer due to its cooling effect.
Where to Try
Street stalls across Bhojpur and Muzaffarpur serve piping hot versions with curd or pickle.
Love momos or dim sums? Meet their healthier, Bihari version - Dal Pitha. It is steamed delight that brings both comfort and nutrition in a single bite. Rich in protein and fibre, Dal Pitha is a traditional treat served during festivals and special occasions. It perfectly combines flavours and textures, making it a wholesome snack or meal loved across Bihar.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Mild, nutty and comforting.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A festive favourite, especially during Chhath Puja and Jitiya.
Where to Try
Home kitchens in Gaya and Patna are best. Also featured at cultural food festivals.
A classic Bihar street food, Chana Ghugni is a spicy-tangy curry made with boiled black chickpeas, onions, garlic, mustard seeds and a sprinkle of chaat masala. It’s a staple evening snack, a protein-rich alternative to deep-fried snacks. It’s often paired with puffed rice.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Spicy, tangy and bursting with flavour.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Bihar’s favourite evening snack. It is easy to find and hard to forget.
Where to Try
Try it near Patna Junction or any train station in Bihar, it’s everywhere!
Whether you're exploring traditional Bihari recipes or want a simple, gut-friendly vegetarian dish, Kadhi Badi offers the perfect balance of comfort, culture and nutrition. This tangy yoghurt-based curry with fried lentil dumplings is comfort in a bowl.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Tangy, rich and spiced with a mustardy twist.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A Saturday staple meal across Bihari homes, often paired with rice.
Where to Try
Served in homes and local eateries across Mithila and Nalanda.
Read More : Culture Of Bihar
Crunchy on the outside and soft within, Thekua carries the rustic charm of Bihar’s culinary heritage. Its caramelised texture and rich aroma come from being slowly fried to perfection, often in clay stoves. It is a reflection of Bihar’s festival food traditions and deep-rooted culinary culture.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Caramelised, crunchy and mildly spiced.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A Chhath Puja must-have, often offered to the Sun God.
Where to Try
Every Bihari household during Chhath Puja. Also available in local sweet shops.
Malpua is one of the most famous Bihari dishes served during Holi and other joyful celebrations. Made with a batter of refined flour, mashed bananas or khoya, fennel seeds and milk, Malpuas are fried until golden and then soaked in aromatic sugar syrup. The result? A melt-in-mouth treat with a crisp edge and soft, juicy centre. Want a bite of Bihar’s sweetest traditions? Start with Malpua, it never disappoints.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Sweet, spongy and aromatic.
Cultural Note
Prepared during Holi, Eid and weddings.
Where to Try
Try it in Darbhanga or Bhagalpur during festive fairs.
Layered, flaky and sugar-coated, Khaja is Bihar’s answer to baklava. It is a famous Bihari sweet, made by layering dough and deep-frying it to golden perfection. The result is a crunchy, flaky dessert that is dipped in sugar syrup, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Popular in Bihar's festivals, this crispy treat is a must-try for anyone exploring Bihar food.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Sweet, flaky and buttery.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Served at temples and weddings, also offered at Bodh Gaya.
Where to Try
Pick it up from Rajgir or Silao near Nalanda.
Balushahi is Bihar’s answer to the doughnut but with an Indian twist and a legacy fit for royalty. Flaky on the outside, soft within and glazed with a delicate sugar syrup, Balushahi is a timeless delicacy served during weddings, festivals, and grand feasts across the state.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Crumbly, soft inside and sweet outside.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A celebratory dessert, often gifted during festivals.
Where to Try
Available in sweet shops across Patna and Gaya.
When it comes to non-vegetarian Bihari dishes, Kebab stands tall as a smoky, spicy, meaty masterpiece. It originated in the kitchens of old Patna and has now found its way onto the menus of high-end restaurants across India. For lovers of grilled meats and authentic Bihari recipes, this kebab is a smoky ticket to food heaven.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Rich, spicy and smoky.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Popular during Eid and weddings.
Where to Try
Visit Mohammad Shah Lane in Patna for authentic versions.
A creamy pudding made from lotus seeds - Makahana Kheer is a traditional Bihari dessert packed with nutrients. Rich in calcium, protein and antioxidants, Makhana Kheer is a guilt-free sweet treat often enjoyed during fasts and festivals. Make sure to try this recipe on your sweet craving days.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Mildly sweet, nutty and creamy.
Nutrition
A Navratri and Chhath fasting favourite.
Where to Try
Best homemade. Find in Mithila during the festive seasons.
Aloo Kachalu is a popular street-style salad of Bihar which is made with boiled potatoes tossed in tangy tamarind chutney, chaat masala and fresh herbs. Bursting with bold, zesty flavours, it’s a quick, affordable and addictive mid-day snack. It is a must-try for anyone craving authentic street food vibes.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Sour, salty, spicy - an explosion of flavours.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Common during school breaks and fairs.
Where to Try
Found almost everywhere across Bihar.
Champaran Mutton is a traditional Bihari dish, slow-cooked in clay pots for hours, allowing the spices to fully infuse the meat. This rich, spicy and tender curry is a meat lover’s dream, offering a deep, aromatic flavour with every bite.
Ingredients
Spices: cumin, coriander powder, garam masala, salt
Recipe
Taste
A rich, spicy curry with tender, juicy mutton and a deep flavour profile.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Originally from Champaran, this dish is a slow-cooked tradition, reflecting Bihar’s rich culinary heritage.
Where to Try
Look for it in Champaran or Patna’s local eateries for an authentic experience.
Bihari Fish Curry is a rustic delicacy rooted in the cuisine of river-rich Bihar. Cooked with freshwater fish, mustard paste, garlic and mustard oil, it delivers a sharp, earthy flavour that’s bold and unforgettable. Often paired with rice, this dish is a staple in many Bihari households. Loved by locals and foodies alike, it's a must-try for those who enjoy regional, spice-forward non-vegetarian dishes.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Spicy, sharp and mustard-dominant.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
A staple Sunday meal in Bihari homes near rivers.
Where to Try
Local spots in Bhagalpur and Patna serve fresh, river-caught fish daily.
Tilkut is a traditional Bihari sweet made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gur), enjoyed especially during winter and Makar Sankranti. This crunchy, nutty treat not only satisfies sweet cravings but also offers warmth and energy during cold months. Tilkut is more than a dessert, it's a heritage bite passed down through generations, deeply rooted in Bihar’s festive and culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Recipe
Taste: Sweet, nutty and crisp.
Nutrition
Cultural Note
Especially eaten during Makar Sankranti.
Where to Try
Gaya’s Tilkut is famous across India. Don’t miss it.
Bihari cuisine isn’t just about taste it’s a reflection of seasonal produce, farming lifestyle, rituals and festivals. For instance, Litti Chokha reflects the rural lifestyle where local grains and vegetables are roasted over an open flame, symbolising simplicity and sustainability. Makhana dishes on the other hand reflect the economic and cultural importance of fox nuts in Bihar. Festival sweets like Khajuria connect generations, while Sattu, the "superfood of the poor," showcases the resourcefulness of the people.
Taste the tradition, feel the warmth, travel through flavour - Bihar culinary tourism offers more than food, it’s a cultural immersion.
Let Adotrip be your travel partner in this food exploration. From food to festivals, streets to heritage - we bring you closer to the soul of India.
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Q. What are some of the most famous traditional dishes of Bihar?
A. Popular Bihari dishes include Litti Chokha, Sattu Paratha, Dal Pitha, Thekua, and Khaja. These are loved for their unique flavors and regional authenticity.
Q. What is Litti Chokha, and why is it so famous in Bihar?
A. Litti Chokha is a signature Bihari dish made from wheat flour balls stuffed with roasted gram flour (sattu) and served with mashed vegetables like potato, brinjal, and tomato. It’s known for its earthy flavor and cultural significance.
Q. Is Bihari cuisine spicy?
A. Bihari food is moderately spiced, focusing more on flavors and regional ingredients like mustard oil, panch phoran (five spices), and sattu rather than intense heat.
Q. What are some famous Bihari sweets?
A. Famous sweets from Bihar include Thekua, Khaja, Anarsa, Tilkut, and Malpua. These are often made during festivals and celebrations.
Q. Is Bihari food vegetarian or non-vegetarian?
A. Bihari cuisine offers a mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. While dishes like Litti Chokha and Sattu Paratha are vegetarian, there are also rich meat dishes like Champaran Mutton and Fish Curry.
--- Published By Shradha Mehra
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