By Smriti Dey
March 14, 2026
Spicy kul and guava salad is a seasonal street-style preparation popular in Bihar. It combines tart kul berries and raw guava with salt, chilli powder and other spices. The salad stands out for its sharp contrast of sour, spicy, and slightly sweet flavours. Its uniqueness comes from using local fruits in their raw form, creating a nostalgic dish.
150 g kul (Indian jujube/ber) 1 medium raw guava, cut into thin wedges ½ teaspoon red chilli powder ¼ teaspoon black salt Salt, to taste ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon mustard oil
Slice the guava and kul evenly so they mix well and taste balanced with each bite.
Sprinkle red chilli powder, black salt, regular salt, and roasted cumin powder over the fruits.
Add lemon juice and stir.
Drizzle a small amount of mustard oil and mix gently to coat everything without bruising the fruit.
Rest the salad for a few minutes before serving so flavours come together and settle.