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Berhampur is a haven for foodies as it offers a wide array of amazing street food and delectable sweets. Street food is a major aspect of Odiah’s food scene, and Berhampur especially is famed for some of the most famous delicacies you can find in the East.
Besides cult items like chhena poda and pakhala bhata which are already widely known and appreciated, Berhampur also offers some regional flavours. Take the chhena jhili, for instance, which is popularly found in Nimapada; Berhampur is one of the few regions in Odisha where chhena jhili is available in almost every other sweet shop. Let’s look at some of the other famous delicacies of Berhampur.
Pakhala Bhata
Perhaps the most popular dish to come out of Odisha, Pakhala Bhata, is often referred to as Odisha's traditional summer staple. This simple yet refreshing dish is made of fermented rice soaked in water and seasoned with salt, green chillies, and a dash of mustard oil. Sometimes, it's accompanied by sides like fried or boiled vegetables, fish fry, or bhaja. Pakhala Bhata cools down the body in the scorching summer heat and can easily be made with locally available ingredients.
Chenna Poda
Chhena Poda is the most famous Odia dessert that has garnered global attention. In Odia, it stands for ‘roasted cheese’ and is made with cottage cheese (which is a form of chenna), sugar, cardamom, and ghee. The mixture is caramelized for some time which imparts a golden hue and a heavenly aroma. The crispy exterior gives way to a soft, succulent centre, making Chenna Poda a favourite among every foodie.
Recommendation: Patro Sweets
Type: Vegetarian
Price: Rs 100-200
Ghugni Chaat
Ghugni Chaat features dried yellow peas cooked with spices like cumin, turmeric, and ginger, creating a rich and aromatic base. It’s topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander leaves, and a drizzle of tangy tamarind chutney and it’s a particular favourite with the younger crowd. It's a popular choice for those craving a truly flavorful street snack.
Recommendation: The area near Lochapada Main Road
Price: Rs 40-70
Bara
Bara is a traditional deep-fried snack made from a batter of black gram dal (urad dal) and spices, Bara is shaped into small rounds and fried until golden brown and crispy. It's often served with Ghuguni or as an accompaniment to Pakhala Bhata. The crunchy exterior and soft, pillowy interior are what lend a great contrast and give it a good mouthfeel.
Recommendation: The area near Twin City
Price: Rs 20-40
Dahi Bara Aludum
Dahi Bara Aludum is a beloved street food dish that combines the creaminess of yoghurt with the tanginess of tamarind chutney and the spiciness of aloo dum (spicy potato curry). Soft lentil-based dumplings (bara) are soaked in seasoned yoghurt and topped with a generous serving of aloo dum. It’s usually garnished with roasted cumin powder, chili powder, and chopped coriander leaves and it’s widely available across streets of Odisha.
Recommendation: The area near Twin City
Price: Rs 50-80
Khaja
Khaja may have originated in Odia but it has takers in many other states. The traditional sweet treat is basically a flaky, layered pastry made from refined wheat flour, ghee, and sugar. It has a crispy exterior and offers a crunchy mouthfeel and it’s often flavored with cardamom or saffron and garnished with chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios. This is widely available in all sweet shops across Odisha, and is also often given out as prasad across many temples of the state.
Recommendation: Sahu Sweets
Type: Vegetarian
Price: Rs 50-200
Chhena Jhili
Chhena Jhili is a luscious dessert that showcases Berhampur's expertise in dairy-based sweets. It’s quite similar to gulab jamun in make and is made from freshly prepared cottage cheese ( or chhena), which is kneaded into soft dough, shaped into elongated ovals, and deep-fried until golden brown. The fried chhena is then soaked in sugar syrup infused with cardamom and saffron, allowing it to absorb the sweetness and aromatic flavours.
Recommendation: The area near Twin City
Price: Rs 50-80
