Litti-chokha: From roadside flame to global fame

Time of India

03-05-2025

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Patna: When one speaks of Bihar's street food heritage, no dish commands more reverence, or appetite, than the deceptively modest
litti-chokha
. Unassuming in appearance, yet rich in tradition and flavour, it has risen from rustic origins to become the state's most iconic culinary ambassador.
It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that litti-chokha has carried Bihar's name to the national, and indeed international, stage. Wholesome, hearty and uniquely satisfying, this simple delicacy continues to win hearts and palates across social divides, drawing everyone from the political elite to global diplomats and film stars into its irresistible orbit.
Not only is it celebrated for its nutritional virtues, but litti-chokha is beloved for its earthy, smoky flavour – a taste that lingers long after the last bite. So magnetic is its charm, that even visiting dignitaries make time for a plateful.
Take, for instance, the latest admirer – Japan's ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi. On a recent visit to Patna, he took a detour from diplomatic duties to sample Bihar's famed delight, and promptly declared his approval on social media platform X. With a flair that delighted locals, he posted in cheerful Bhojpuri: "Namaste, Bihar! Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha – Gajab Swad Ba!"
The sentiment was shared by Bollywood's finest. From Aamir Khan, who famously stopped at a roadside stall during his visits in 2012 and again in 2014 while promoting PK, to Kartik Aaryan and the most recent fan, Vicky Kaushal, the list of celebrity litti-chokha lovers keeps growing.
Indeed, it was Aamir Khan, the meticulous "Mr Perfectionist" himself, who is often credited with catapulting litti-chokha into mainstream culinary fame. His pit stops in Patna became instant legends and suddenly, litti-chokha was no longer just street fare, it was a rite of passage for any celebrity entering the city.
Kartik Aaryan followed suit in Nov 2024, stopping by a street vendor during promotions for 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.0'. Photographs of him savouring a heaped plate of litti-chokha went viral, spreading the dish's fame across both social and traditional media.
And when Vicky Kaushal arrived in the city on Feb 8 this year to promote Chhava, he knew exactly what was on the menu. "How can I miss litti chokha when in Patna," he said.
But what makes this dish such a standout? At its core, litti is made from wheat flour dough, stuffed with sattu, roasted gram flour, and seasoned with ginger, garlic and green chilli paste. It is then baked over coals and doused in fragrant ghee. The chokha is a mashed medley of potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal and onions, spiced and blended with the same robust paste. Served with fresh chutney and salad, it is both a flavour bomb and a tribute to rustic ingenuity.
Manish Kumar, a seasoned litti-chokha vendor, said the dish's strength lies in its simplicity and honest preparation. "We use hot water and milk to ready the wheat dough to obtain soft-textured litti," he said.
"Pure ghee is applied before serving the same. For the stuffing made of sattu, the well-balanced ginger, garlic and green chillies paste does the trick. And the 'chokha', made of potatoes, brinjal, tomatoes, is also spiced up with the said paste and offered with chutney and salad."