10 Foods of Odisha That Are Criminally Delicious

Odisha sits is one of the beautiful places in India in eastern coastal state. 

Formerly known as Orissa, it is part of the holy Char Dham Yatra. It is also famous for its fascinating culture and landscapes, and its food scene is no different. 

The food of Odisha is an amalgam of:

• Aromatic spices.
• Vibrant flavor. 
• Unique cooking techniques.

Whether you want to visit the Konark Sun Temple, try the vegetarian delicacies or fancy the flavors of seafood, the state has something to satiate every palate. 

The traditional food of Odisha is a treasure trove of ancient spices, ingredients, and herbs, connecting the past with the present—and is an absolute must-try. 

The following article explores the top culinary delights of Odisha and tells what you shouldn’t miss when you visit the state next. These staple dishes are the best-kept secrets of Odisha, and a bite into these promises a massive burst of flavor.

So, let’s dive right in. 

Finger-Licking Good: Exploring Odisha’s Famous Foods That Super Delish 

If you’re a lover of simple vegetarian food, Odisha has got you covered with its famous Khicede.

Khicede, a comfort food, tops the chart as Odisha’s famous veg food and is directly offered as the main bhog to Lord Jagannath. It’s prepared by combining equal proportions of rice and lentils, cooked together in ghee. 

With its unique flavors and cultural rooting, Khicede is a must-try delicacy that has gained popularity among locals and tourists in Odisha. 

Chungdi Malai holds a special space in the hearts of the Odia people.

Offering a symphony of flavors, the delicacy is a perfect union of prawns and coconut milk, translating into a luscious gravy and divine taste.

The addition of several delicate spices augments the taste, and the sprinkling of coriander on the top adds to the freshness of the dish, giving you a sheer food coma.

It’s best served with a pot of steamed basmati rice. 

Ever tried a cheesecake?

Chhena Poda is Odisha’s version of cheesecake, with its core ingredients as homemade cottage cheese, sugar syrup, and semolina.

As a cult favorite, it enjoys a ubiquitous presence in Odisha. 

Chhena Poda is prepared with fresh chenna infused with semolina, ghee, raisins, and other dry fruits and is baked until it turns brown. If you have a thing for baked delicacies, it must be on your list of gastronomic adventures.

We all have a soft spot for Dal, don’t we?

The land of Odisha gives a delicious twist to this everyday food with Dalma, a no-onion-no-garlic recipe prepared with roasted moong dal. 

Dalma draws its unique flavor from a medley of spices and a generous helping of vegetables, making it perhaps the healthiest traditional food of Odisha.

And what elevates its deliciousness to another level? A serving of rice, of course!

If you don’t know what Rasabali is, you’re about to. 

Rasabali is Odisha’s sweet dish and is part of the Chappan Bhog offered in the holy Jagannath Temple.

It consists of deep-fried, flattened, reddish-brown patties of chhena (farmer cheese), soaked in thickened and sweetened milk called Rabri. This rabri is seasoned with crushed cardamoms for an enhanced texture. 

If you’re a fan of sweet and savory foods, Rasabali will leave you feeling content. 

Odisha stands proudly as India’s coastal gem. With its geographical advantage, the state boasts seafood delicacies parallel to none. 

One among these is Macha Ghanta, one of Odisha’s food delights, with a strong cultural affinity. 

Traditionally offered to Goddess Durga during the Dussehra festival, it’s prepared by frying the fish’s head and steeping it through a delightful blend of onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and various spices. 

When served next to a pot full of rice and a fresh salad, Macha Ghanta tastes like heaven in the mouth. 

Odisha’s rasgulla is a true sweet delight.

Moist, sweet, and simply delicious, these rasgullas are mainly prepared using chhena and sugar syrup to satiate those cravings. 

These are also offered in Jagannath Temple as a prasad. 

Indulging in rasgullas is an absolute must, considering it’s a beloved Odisha delicacy. Its recent state recognition has been a moment of great pride for the state!

This is yet another baked caked-style Odisha dish, also known as the urad dal jaggery cake.

Prepared during Odisha’s popular Raja festival, Podo Pitha is a culinary delight made using jaggery, coconut, bay leaves, rice flour, dry fruits, and milk. Its burnt texture comes from caramelized jaggery, elevating its taste by several notches.

Podo Pitha is a time-honored recipe, also famous for being a part of the Swing Festival of Odisha.

It’s a crime to miss out on Gupchup when in Odisha.

Gupchup, also known as golgappa in the North, puchka in Bengal, and panipuri in Western India features feathery, crunchy balls made from atta or sooji. 

These balls are filled with an assortment of potatoes, namkeen, and other delectable ingredients of your choosing and immersed in tangy as well as sweet water with mint leaves in it.

As a staple food of Odisha, Gupchup is a lightweight, budget-friendly, and easy-to-enjoy snack. Its popularity stems from its simplicity and versatility, making it Odisha’s culinary crown for locals and visitors alike. 

Brace yourself for a foodgasm with Odisha’s Kakera Pitha.

Made using deep-fried semolina coated with fennel and cardamom, Kakera Pitha is one of the most loved desserts of Odisha. 

Juicy, creamy, and savory—all at the same time!

Have a sweet tooth? Take one bite into it, and we bet you’ll be transported to a food utopia. 

The Bottom Line

That’s a wrap to the listicle on the best foods in Odisha.

But hold on; we’re just scratching the surface here.  

Odisha is a beautiful state that leaves an indelible mark for its scenic tourism, vibrant landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. 

Its food, like the rest, is lip-smackingly good and something you shouldn’t miss out on, but you still need to do it right. If you are traveling to Odisha, you should go through our guide for travel money in India, this will help you plan your budget and make sure you don’t make any mistakes. 

Next time you step into the state, we highly recommend you try these out, and we’re sure you’ll leave craving for more.