Exploring the best Odia Food near you

Odia Food is renowned for its simplicity, delectable flavors, and comforting nostalgia. Each Odia recipe is unique, featuring low oil content, balanced spice levels, and natural ingredients that provide optimal nutrition. These dishes boast a distinct flavor that resonates with anyone who has savored them.

Among the most famous Odia specialties are Odia snacks and meals, which offer soul-nourishing, feel-good moments while maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

To savor authentic Odia cuisine and the traditional culinary delights of Odisha, order from Rasabali Gourmet or download the Rasabali app.

Top Odia Snacks One shouldn’t miss

Odia snacks are renowned for their wholesomeness and are considered mini-meals enjoyed throughout the day. From the famous Cuttack Dahi Bara Aloo Dum to the crispy Dhenkanal Bara, Berhampur’s Upma, Stuffed Coconut Idli, Chakuli Pitha, Gupchup, Odia Roll, Pakudi, Baigani, Piaji, Gulugula, and even simple Aloo Chop or vegetable chop or protein-rich chhatua gunda and chuda gunda – each Odia delicacy is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Here is a list of top Odia snacks and the secret recipes behind them:

• Dahi Bara Odia Aloo Dum:

Brief Info: Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, a beloved street food from Cuttack, is a delightful fusion of soft lentil fritters (known as Vada in India and Bara in Odisha) soaked in spiced, tempered yogurt. To fully experience this soul-satisfying snack, it should be topped with aloo dum (a mild spiced potato curry), white peas curry, chopped onion, and coriander. The final touch is the showstopper dahi pani (tempered yogurt water), which lends a smooth, savory finish to this quintessential Odia delicacy.

Main Ingredients: Urad dal (black gram), yogurt, potatoes, white peas, spices (cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric, red chili powder), green chilies, ginger, garlic, and coriander leaves

• Dhenkanal famous Bara:

Brief Info: Bara, a traditional Odia savory fried snack, hails from the city of Dhenkanal in the Indian state of Odisha. Known as medu vada across much of India, this Odia delicacy is made from a fermented batter of urad dal that is finely ground and seasoned with whole cumin, chopped onions, green chilies, and curry leaves. The crispy bara is best enjoyed when paired with a bowl of hot ghughuni, a white pea curry. Order Rasabali’s ready to fry bara batter (Pithau) now to dive in to the old is gold memory lane.

Main Ingredients: Urad dal (black gram), rice, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, salt

• Odisha Dahi Bara:

Brief Info: Odisha’s Dahi Bara is a regional take on the classic Dahi Vada enjoyed across India. Unlike versions from other states, the Odisha Dahi Bara is made from pure urad dal batter that’s fried into round, golden-brown fritters and then soaked in a thin, mildly spiced tempered yogurt. This dish is best savored with a topping of roasted cumin powder, black or rock salt, and the tangy dahi pani (yogurt water).

Main Ingredients: Urad dal (black gram), yogurt, green chilies, ginger, spices (cumin, mustard seeds), coriander leaves

• Gupchup (Pani Puri):

Brief Info: The beloved Pani Puri of India is known as Gupchup in the state of Odisha. Odisha’s popular street food recipes feature crispy, hollow puris filled with seasoned mashed potatoes. The filling includes mashed potatoes blended well in roasted cumin powder, chopped green chilies, onions, coriander, and black salt. These puris are then dipped in a tangy, lightly sweetened gupchup pani and savored whole. The puris themselves are made from a whole wheat dough with a touch of semolina.

Main Ingredients: Semolina, all-purpose flour, potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind, spices (cumin, coriander, black salt), mint leaves

• Odia Roll:

Brief Info: The Odia rolls, reminiscent of the renowned Kathi rolls from Odisha, leave a lasting impression on all who taste them. Their distinctive fillings set them apart from other rolls and wraps, providing the optimal nutrition one expects from a wholesome meal. Furthermore, these rolls are made with a whole wheat roti or paratha base, making them a healthy choice for health-conscious eaters. So, order your Odia rolls now.

Main Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, chicken or chickpea, vegetables (cabbage, onions, bell peppers, capsicum), spices (garam masala, turmeric), chutneys

• Chakuli Pitha:

Brief Info: Chakuli, a soft and nutritious rice crepe, is a popular staple and all-day snack across Odisha. Made from a batter of soaked rice and black gram, this traditional dish offers optimal nutrition and looks as an East alternative to South’s favourite Appam or may be uttapam.

Main Ingredients: Rice, Black Gram

• Coconut Idli / Nadia Pura Idli:

Brief Info: Coconut idli is a traditional and nutritious snack enjoyed throughout Odisha. These soft, fluffy idlis are stuffed with caramelized jaggery and grated coconut, steamed to perfection. Served with a bowl of ghughuni (white pea curry), coconut idli makes for a comforting and wholesome all-day breakfast, especially in Berhampur, the city where this delicacy originates.

Main Ingredients: Rice Batter, Jaggery Powder, Grated Coconut

• Chuda Gunda (Poha Powder):

Brief Info: Chuda Gunda, also called Poha Powder, is a long-standing, ready-to-mix slurry snack enjoyed by Odias. This nutrient-rich powder, made from poha (flattened rice) and hand-picked dry fruits, provides the perfect balance of fiber, protein, iron, and other essential nutrients to sustain your energy all day. This nutritious and low-calorie delight can be enjoyed by all ages, including children as young as 6 months old. Order Chuda Powder today for a convenient, healthy snacking experience.

Main Ingredients: Flatten Rice, Dry Fruits, Milk Powder (Optional)

• Chhatua Gunda (Sattu Powder):

Brief Info: Chhatua Gunda is a long-standing, ready-to-mix slurry snack popular among Odias and in many northern parts of India. Unlike the widely available sattu powder in northern India, Chhatua Gunda is a finely powdered blend of roasted grains, cereals, and permitted nuts. This nutrient-dense powder can be enjoyed as a wholesome breakfast by people of all ages, including children as young as 6 months old. Simply add your favorite fruit and water or milk to create a satisfying meal that can be savored any time of day. Order your chhatua gunda to taste the best.

Main Ingredients: Mix Grains, Dry Fruits, Milk Powder (Optional)

• Subwich Combos:

Brief Info: Rasabali’s subwich range features an authentic Odia filling that provides a daily protein boost and maximum nutrition, all wrapped in wholesome whole wheat bread. This nourishing combination appeals to a wide range of eaters, regardless of their dietary preferences

Main Ingredients: Bread rolls, chicken or paneer, vegetables, sauces (mustard, mayo), spices (garam masala, chaat masala)

• Detox Drinks:

Brief Info: Rasabali Gourmet’s Detox Drinks are an array of natural, sugar-free beverages made from locally sourced leafy greens found across Odisha and broadly consumed across India and abroad. These cleansing drinks aim to purify both your body and soul.

Main Ingredients: Apple, Banana, Carrot, Spinach, beetroot, Lemon, mint, cucumber, ginger, honey, water etc.

• Odia Traditional Drinks:

Brief Info: Odia traditional beverages like Odia Lassi, Tanka Torani, Ghola Dahi, Dahi Squah Sharbat, and Belapana are hard to find outside of Odisha. Yet, these drinks evoke strong emotions among Odias and non-Odias who have tried them.

The non-sugary options, such as Tanka Torani, Ghola Dahi, Torani Pani, Kanji Pani, and Bela Pana, are considered excellent immunity boosters. Meanwhile, the Odia Lassi perfectly quenches one’s thirst on a hot summer day.

Main Ingredients: Yogurt, Grated Coconuts, condensed milk, rabdi, coriander leaves, mint leaves, kaffir limes, Pana (mixture of fruits, yogurt, water), Bela Pana (wood apple drink), mango panna etc.

• Cuttacki (Kataki) Dum Biryani:

Brief Info: Discover the delights of Cuttacki (Kataki) Dum Biryani, an Odia specialty from Cuttack, Odisha. This authentic biryani is slow-cooked in the dum style, using minimal spices to highlight the natural aroma and flavors of the high-quality ingredients. Savor the tender, aromatic rice and veggie/meat of your choice, free from any artificial colors or heavy oil, for a guilt-free indulgence.

Main Ingredients: Basmati rice, vegetables, jackfruit, chickpea, chicken or mutton, spices (bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon), saffron, yogurt, onions

• Odia Thali/Meal Combos

Brief Info: Odia Thali, a popular dining experience across Odisha and many parts of India, offers a comforting and nourishing way of eating. The appeal of the Odia Thali lies in its ability to nourish both the body and the soul. Odia cuisine, celebrated for its traditional culinary heritage, provides a balanced source of daily nutrition, with a harmonious blend of carbohydrates, proteins, and other essential nutrients. When you order an Odia Thali, each dish is carefully curated to strike a balance between health and indulgence, allowing you to savor the flavors while nourishing your body.

Main Ingredients: Rice, dal, green vegetables, Chakuli Pithas, Chicken Jhola, Mutton Jhola, Fish Jhola, Prawn Curry, Tomato Khatta,  Mango Khatta etc.

• Pakhala Kansa:

Brief Info: A traditional fermented rice dish served with water, curd, and accompaniments, perfect for hot summers or any day of the year. Pakhala has many hats to its feather when it comes to be a naturally healthy hydrator and helps in maintaining electrolyte balance. As per AIIM’s study, Pakhala is the best immunity booster naturally.

Main Ingredients: Cooked rice, water, curd, green chilies, ginger, cumin seeds

• Odia Bento Meal Box:

Brief Info: Odia bento meal boxes perfectly capture the way a major meal is relished in Odisha. The people of Odisha love to enjoy their meals by mixing small portions of staple foods with selective traditional nutritious curries (known as tarkari or jhola) and a side dish, creating a wholesome and satisfying dining experience. Rasabali offers curated fusion bento meal boxes inspired by your choice of protein main dish, served with a portion of white or brown rice.

Main Ingredients: Rice, Brown Rice, Chicken Besara curry, Rohu Fish Besara curry

Courtesy: Rasabali Prustha