Bhubaneswar, May 12 (BNP): Renowned industrialist Harsh Goenka has heaped praise on Odisha’s traditional cuisine, describing Odia food as one of India’s most underrated culinary treasures and appreciating its simplicity, balance, and authentic flavours.
Taking to social media, Goenka shared his admiration for several iconic Odia dishes, including Dahibara Aloodum, Chakuli Pitha, Chhena Tarkari, Drumstick-Brinjal Besara, and Aloo Patra Besara. His comments have generated widespread appreciation among food lovers and netizens from Odisha, who welcomed the recognition of the state’s rich culinary heritage on a national platform.
Indian cuisine conversations often revolve around Punjabi, South Indian or Bengali food. Odiya cuisine deserves a much bigger place on that table.
What struck me most was its restraint. No overload of cream, butter or chillies. Just balance, mustard, fermentation, texture and… pic.twitter.com/uaf18cV6AW— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) May 10, 2026
Highlighting the uniqueness of Odia cuisine, Goenka remarked that discussions around Indian food often revolve around Punjabi, South Indian, or Bengali cuisines, while Odia cuisine deserves far greater recognition for its distinct identity and traditional cooking methods.
“What struck me most was its restraint. No overload of cream, butter or chillies. Just balance, mustard, fermentation, texture and freshness,” he wrote while praising the home-style preparation of the dishes.
Among the delicacies mentioned by the industrialist, Dahibara Aloodum continues to remain one of Odisha’s most celebrated street foods, especially popular in Cuttack. Chakuli Pitha, a soft fermented rice-lentil pancake, and mustard-based Besara preparations are also widely known for their traditional flavour and nutritional value.
Odia cuisine, deeply rooted in temple traditions and local ingredients, is admired for its subtle spices, balanced taste, and healthy cooking practices. Popular dishes such as Pakhala Bhata, Dalma, Chhena Poda, and Mahaprasad from the Jagannath Temple have increasingly gained attention among food enthusiasts across India and abroad.
Food experts and cultural enthusiasts believe that appreciation from influential personalities like Harsh Goenka will help bring Odisha’s culinary traditions into the national spotlight and encourage greater promotion of Odia cuisine through tourism and food festivals.
The industrialist’s remarks have once again highlighted the growing popularity of Odisha’s rich food culture, with many social media users proudly celebrating the flavours and traditions of authentic Odia cuisine.
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