Where to eat the best Bihari Cuisine in Delhi?

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January 10, 2024

There is no doubt that the beauty of Indian cuisine lies in its diversity and depth. Every state has its own food culture that strikingly reflects the region’s history and cultural ethos. Similarly when it comes to Delhi, the city’s image of co-existing subcultures spills over to its cuisine as well. Beautifully said by Mirza Ghalib “The world is the body and Delhi its life”. Being known as the Food capital of India, one can savour dishes from all over the country along with diverse international cuisines in Delhi. From small unknown streets to well known restaurants, it shows the Delhites’ love for food.

The city offers a wide range of food options that would surely leave you craving more. Delhi’s cuisine has evolved through different cultures. It’s a mixture of old Delhi’s Baniya food, North Indian food, mughlai cuisine and mouth-watering Street food. The famous “Mughlai cuisine”- mughlai chicken, kebabs, biryani, nihari, korma etc. – has a little resemblance to what the royal mughal emperors ate. The north Indian states also have a major influence on Delhi’s food culture that has introduced the city to awadhi cuisine, bihari cuisine, dogri cuisine, Punjabi cuisine and many more. Delhi also serves many international dishes for Mexican, Chinese, Korean, continental and Thai cuisines.

Among the various north Indian cuisines, this article will focus on Bihari cuisine in Delhi and famous restaurants and Cafés that serve authentic bihari food in the city.

( Delhi messenger; varieties of cuisines in Delhi)

WHAT’S IN A BIHARI PLATTER?

Bihar is a significant state when it comes to India’s history and reflects the country’s rich tapestry of culture. Being known as ‘Vihar’ or ‘Magadha’ in ancient times, the state witnessed not only the rise and fall of various kingdoms and Dynasties in history, but in today’s time also offers a plethora of dishes that are loved by people all over the country. The land is well- entrenched in thousands of years of history and culture. It was ruled by many prominent Dynasties including Mauryas, Guptas and Mughal. The state has ancient sites like Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, was an important centre of learning evident by its ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila established in 5th and 8th centuries respectively. These universities are also counted amongst the oldest international universities of that time. The famous traditional paintings include Madhubani which depicts nature and mostly involves pictures of Hindu Deities- Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Shiva and many more. Sujini and Khatwa embroidery is a traditional embroidery famous in rural areas that involves work of peacock dancing, trees, wildlife etc.

Bihar culinary techniques involve a great deal of roasting, deep-frying and steaming. From having spicy snacks to appetising sweets, Bihari cuisine is predominantly vegetarian partly due to its socio- religious history and partly because it is one of the largest vegetable producing states. But one also finds various meat and fish dishes too. Fish dishes are especially common in the Mithila region of Bihar due to the availability of many rivers like Sone, Gandak, Ganges and Koshi. Bihar has three agricultural seasons- bhadai( autumn), agahani (winter) and rabi (spring). Bhadai crops include maize, gora rice, millets and pulses like urad, moong; agahani consists of winter rice crops, sugarcane jowar, til and rabi crops being wheat, gram, barley, peas, kesari etc. More than 60 varieties of rice are cultivated and therefore, dal-Bhat ( dal and rice) is the most commonly eaten food.

The fondness for Litti Chokha among the foodies needs no introduction and can serve as a grand welcome to the food of Bihar. Litti is a baked delicacy consisting of wheat and ‘sattu’, roasted grounded gram flour, kneaded into round balls dipped in ghee. Litti is served with chokha which is prepared by mashing boiled vegetables and adding spices. But the cuisine of Bihar is not just limited to litti- chokha and offers many more scrumptious dishes to the fore.

(SecondRecipe; ghee dipped litti served with chokha and chopped onions.)

Other popular dishes of the state include – Chana ghugni being a snack with its spicy- tangy flavour; Pua, a deep fried sweet dish made of a batter of wheat flour, sugar, coconuts and raisins; Dal peetha or the bihari dumplings stuffed with lentil paste along with spices; Kadhi Badi prepared with besan and yoghourt; Sattu Paratha; Meetha Parwal; Thekua and many other. The most famous non vegetarian dish is Champaran mutton, also known as ‘handi mutton’ with its rich flavour. Other delicacies are Bihari kebabs, nargisi kofta, Shabdeg yakhnee, shami Kebab, biryani, Naan roti, shaljam gosht.

Apart from this, Bihar is well-known for its many iconic sweets that are also prepared on various religious festivals of the state. Bihar sweets are mostly dry, unlike Bengali and oriya sweets which are soaked in sugar syrup. One of them is khaja which is similar to Greek baklava; Chena which is like rasgulla; tilkat (til barfi) of which Gaya is most famous; Rashia is a special kheer which is made during the chato festival; Anarsa is a rice-based biscuit; kala jamun of mangal, bhagalpur districts; Pantua; Postaa Dana ka halwa which is a pudding ; khasar that is again a rice- based dry sweet.

The most popular beverage of Bihar is sattu sharbat. It’s a savoury drink which is loved by people from all over the country today. The drink can be both sweet or savoury, depending upon the choice. The drink has coriander leaves, coming, chilies, and salt mixed with sattu and water. The most important feature is that sattu sharbat is very high in fibre making it extremely healthy and easy to digest.

MUST VISIT RESTAURANTS FOR BIHARI CUISINE

Many renowned restaurants and Cafés offer a wide range of authentic bihari food in Delhi that attracts many tourists . So let us look at some popular hotspots where one can experience the rich flavours of Bihar.

BIHAR BHAWAN

(Zee news; Bihar bhawan, New Delhi)

This has to be a top-notch choice for any big food lover. The official state mission of the Government of Bihar in New Delhi, Bihar bhawan canteen provides the finest ambiance where one can surely immerse yourself in the divine flavours of Bihar. The canteen has been successful in embracing the distinctive taste of Bihar that can surely bowl you over. The food served in the canteen is quite economical as per one’s budget and offers a diverse range of options with snacks like chane ki Ghughni, Roasted makhana, Aloo chaap; main course with both vegetarian and non- vegetarian dishes like Bhuna maans with Tikona paratha, Samson Wali machhli and special thalis like Bhojpuri Shakahari thali, Makhan Malai dal- Bhaat , sattu paratha, Lachha paratha etc. The signature dish of the canteen is, no doubt, Litti Chokha.

Started during a covid pandemic and to the present date, the Bihar Bhawan canteen also offers a takeaway service where anyone can place orders on apps like Zomato. So, if you are eager to experience a typical Bihari cuisine, this can be the pinnacle.

Location- Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

THE POTBELLY ROOFTOP CAFÉ

( Curlytales; The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe)

The Potbelly is the first restaurant which introduced the glory of Bihari cuisine in Delhi. Well-known for offering authentic Bihari dishes, the Potbelly Rooftop Cafe is located in the vibrant shopping district of Delhi, Shahpur Jat, where people walking by , tired after shopping, find it a suitable spot for quenching their hunger. Besides offering popular Bihari dishes like Champaran style mutton, Khada Masala mutton, Litti Chokha, Maithili Thali, Dehati fish and Chips, Sarso Machhli, keema Maggi and many more, Cafe also serves many savoury drinks- Aam Panna, Sattu Cooler, salty Lassi and flavoured iced tea. Besides offering such a wide range of options, the interior of the Cafe is equally appealing. The rooftop is decorated with conventional bamboo mats and potted plants, giving it an aesthetic touch. The beautiful adornment and appetising taste of the dishes makes ‘The Potbelly’ a perfect choice.

Location- Shahpur Jat, New Delhi

CAFÉ LOTA

( Studio Lotus; Cafe lota, National crafts museum)

Amidst the artistic aura of the National Crafts Museum is Café Lota. In describing the name ‘Lota’, owners describe that the Indian culinary tradition is similar to lota with respect to its simplicity, varying representations and diversity of use. Here food is treated no less than a form of art, seamlessly integrating different states of India and ever-evolving as per the changing demands of the people. It’s a perfect spot for relishing many famous as well as hard-to-find regional specialties across the country. The Cafe uses traditional grains for showcasing the ingenuity of the Indian cuisine and strives to offer true flavours. Some specialties include papad ki sabzi from Rajasthan, sattu paratha and chokha of Bihar, chingri malai curry of West Bengal, keema pav of Maharashtra, palak patta Chaat.

The ambiance of the Cafe carries an aesthetic charisma with natural light pouring in and walls decorated with regional art styles.

Location- National Crafts museum, Pragati maidan, New delhi.

BIHAR KI RASOI

( Slurrp; Bihar ki rasoi, dilli Haat)

This restaurant is ensconced in the peaceful corner of Dilli Haat, which is otherwise a vibrant open- air market and craft Bazar. Bihar ki Rasoi is a government- run restaurant which is well known for its authentic bihari dishes that leaves anyone satiated. Some of its specialties include- Litti chokha, Litti mutton, Bihar ki thali, Sattu kachori, Lavang Lata, Beltrami along with offering a wide range of beverages. The decor of the restaurant is vibrant and cheerful making it an ideal spot.

Location- Dilli haat, Kidwai Nagar, New delhi

Delhi is a perfect place where you can get the taste of all the regional cuisines of India and understand its inventiveness. So if you are in a mood to dive into the true flavours of Bihar, the city, no doubt, offers a wide range of options.