JOIN USHowever, Litti has made a special identity of Bihar. A distinctive cuisine of Bihar and a vital part of the ethos and culture of local people, the humble Litti Chokha has been accepted into the national scenario, and how!
You can have it piping hot at the railway station, a roadside dhaba or even order it at some swanky ethnic restaurant in the city. Interestingly, it has now become a trend for almost all Bihari politicians to throw ‘Litti-Parties’ in New Delhi and flaunt their regional identity. But Litti has been an endearing part of Bihar’s historic past.
The ancient most food of Magadh region (the central part of Bihar), Litti had also played its role in history as the rebel sepoys, during the Mutiny of 1957, would carry it as their staple food.
Since Litti can be baked directly on fire, without a need for a griddle and utensils, the sepoys virtually survived on it. They would bake it on the metallic sieve deep inside the jungles. And the best thing is that Litti remains fit for eating for more than 48 hours.
A sattu filled dumpling, Litti, now more of a snack food in Bihar is served with the Chokha which is as popular in Bihar as Chhole Bhature in Punjab, Dal Baati in Rajasthan and Vada Pao in Mumbai. Chokha is a Bihari term for baigan bharta.
Litti is also served with aloo bharta or chicken gravy in western Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Litti are traditionally baked over a cow-dung fire, but in modern days people fry the Littis to enhance the taste.
The Sattu dough balls are stuffed with a mixture of spices like black pepper, Thymol (ajwain), ginger, garlic, mustard oil, lemon juice and salt for flavouring.
“Litti Chokha is a great health food,” says Pushpesh Pant, the Delhi-based author of the voluminous India: The Cookbook. “It demands no frying and it has almost every nutrient, including carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and calcium.” The streets of Delhi have Litti Chokha restaurant and carts but these are difficult to find.
Metrolife managed to locate some food-joints in the Capital which serve awesome Litti Chokha.
The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe and Kitchen, Shahpur Jat serves authentic and extremely delicious Litti Chokha and other Bihari dishes.
Littiwala.com in Lakshmi Nagar, east Delhi, is a popular takeaway joint in the area, Fauji Family restaurant at Dwarka is a humble eatery famous for home-cooked Litti Chokha. The place is always crowded by Bihar food lovers in the vicinity.
The canteen of Bihar Bhawan is a rare place where you can find almost every single Bihari dish such as Ghuguni, Sattu Sharbat and different Bihari sweets.
Cafe Wanderlust serves one of the most authentic Litti Chokha in the city. The Litti Chokha made here is authentic and done to perfection.
The Litti Chokha platter is also served with green mint-coriander chutney and mango-pickle. If you want something to drink, try their special Adrakwali Chai.
Café Wanderlust is also known for serving great breakfast. Apart from these places, you can try the ever popular Litti Chokha in Bihar and Jharkhand Food Stalls at Dilli Haat, Atta Market Noida and Mayur Vihar Metro Station. But, of course, the best Litti Chokha is still found in homes.