Top Dishes To Relish In Dhanbad, Jharkhand City

Dhanbad, often referred to as India's "Coal Capital," is a melting pot of traditional Jharkhand cuisines that should not be missed. Savor the intense flavors of local favorites like Dhuska, Thekua, Handia, Pitha, Litti Chokha, Bhuna Mutton, Kadhi Bari, and Chana Ghugni. Experiencing these gastronomic wonders allows you to not only satisfy your palate but also appreciate the city's rich, diverse cultural roots.

Harpreet Kour Updated: Nov 11, 2024 10:00 AM IST

Apart from being known as the "Coal Capital of India," Dhanbad has a rich food culture. The city's cuisine is a mixture of traditional flavors from Jharkhand and those from other regions. Therefore, here are some top dishes that one must try while traveling to Dhanbad:

1. Dhuska

In Jharkhand region including Dhanbad it's famous snack as well as breakfast made of batter of rice and lentils which is fried until being golden crisp. It's usually served with spicy potato curry or chutney making it a complete food.

2. Thekua

If you go to Dhanbad then you should taste this traditional sweet snack called Thekua. These are normally designed in complex shapes by frying them crisp after they have been prepared using wheat flour, ghee and jaggery. You can use them for tea time or have them after your meals.

3. Handia

This beer made locally using rice is very popular across Jharkhand including Dhanbad. In order to make it more tangy, fermented rice is used with traditional herbs and roots in preparation for its unique flavoring which takes place through a fermentation process only meant for Handia during festivals or special occasions.

4. Pitha

Pitha refers to various types of traditional rice cakes found in Jharkhand . There are several varieties available within the town like til pitha (made up of sesame seed and jaggery), chakuli pitha (crispy pancake) , kheer pitha (rice dumplings dipped into sweetened milk).

5. Litti Chokha

Litti Chokha, although commonly known as a Bihari dish, is also liked by people from Dhanbad because of the common cultural exchange. Litti is a ball made up of wheat dough which is baked with a filling of roasted gram flour(sattu) and served with spicy mashed vegetables (chokha) such as eggplant, tomato and potato.

6. Bhuna Mutton

For non-veg lovers, Bhuna Mutton cannot be missed in Dhanbad. The meat marinated with aromatic spices until it reaches tenderness is cooked slowly for hours to give a flavorful touch to mutton bhuna. It goes well with rice or breads such as roti or naan.

7. Kadhi Bari

This food can be considered as an Indian version of dumplings but it's mostly consumed during festive seasons in Jharkhand including Dhanbad. They are known for their tangy flavor and have fried dumplings made from gram flour(badi) in tangy yogurt based gravy called kadhi bari which may be eaten with plain rice or on a side dish accompanying roti.

8. Chana Ghugni

In Dhanbad this street food snack is common; Chana ghugni is prepared by taking dried yellow peas, onions, tomatoes and a few other spices that are mixed together . This dish with its hot and sour taste generally comes along with puris (deep-fried bread) or taken alone like snacks.

9. Kalaadi

This regional cheese which is produced exclusively within Jharkhand state using cow's milk has got a slightly chewy texture accompanied by mild soreness making it suitable for grilling, frying as well as topping up any other dishes served alongside roti or chapati.

10. Sattu Drink

Sattu drink refers to roasted gram flour which is used extensively in various dishes throughout Jharkhand. A refreshing and nutritious drink that is consumed all year round comprises water, sattu (roasted gram flour), lemon juice, salt and black pepper in it.

Discovering culinary wonders in Dhanbad is an opportunity to have a look at the diverse cultural background of Jharkhand. If you are an ardent eater or a person who would like to sample genuine local tastes, these plates will provoke your taste buds and make you want more of Dhanbad's gastronomical possessions.