Food In Rajgir

Food History of Rajgir, Bihar, India

Rajgir is a city with a profound historical and religious significance, located in the Nalanda district of Bihar, India. The region has been a melting pot of various cultures, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, which have deeply influenced its culinary traditions. The food in Rajgir is characterized by the typical Bihari cuisine, which is simple, flavorsome, and predominantly vegetarian reflecting the cultural ethos and the agrarian lifestyle of the area. Bihar's staple foods include rice, wheat, lentils, and vegetables, which are often prepared with a blend of spices unique to the region. Rajgir, being a significant pilgrimage site, observes a strict vegetarianism in traditional eateries, in adherence to the peaceful doctrines of the religions revered here.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Rajgir, Bihar for Tourists

• Litti Chokha - A quintessential Bihari dish, Litti Chokha is made from whole wheat dough balls filled with spiced sattu, roasted over coal or cow dung cakes, and served with a mashed vegetable preparation. It is strictly vegetarian.
• Sattu Paratha - This is a flatbread filled with roasted gram flour (sattu) and spices, often consumed with a side of yogurt or baingan bharta. It is a delicious vegetarian option.
• Dal Pitha - These are steamed rice flour dumplings stuffed with spiced lentils, similar to momos or dumplings. Dal Pitha is a popular vegetarian snack or meal.
• Khaja - A layered, sweet pastry reminiscent of baklava, Khaja is made from refined flour, sugar, and ghee. This vegetarian sweet is crunchy and flaky.
• Thekua - Often prepared as a prasad (a religious offering of food), Thekua is a sweet snack made with wheat flour, jaggery, coconut, and ghee. Thekua is vegetarian and has a cookie-like texture.
• Malpua - This sweet pancake made from a batter of flour, milk, and sugar, deep-fried, and usually soaked in sugar syrup, is a delicious vegetarian dessert.
• Laung-Latika - A lip-smacking vegetarian dessert, Laung-Latika is a stuffed pastry sealed with a clove and dunked in a thick sugar syrup.
• Bihari Kebab - While Rajgir is predominantly vegetarian, these kebabs made from meat substitute ingredients can be found, offering a vegetarian twist to the otherwise non-vegetarian dish.
• Chura Bhuja - This is a mix of flattened rice (chura) roasted with spices and served with fried nuts or seeds. It makes for a crisp and savory vegetarian snack.
• Kadhi Badi - A delicious yogurt and gram flour-based gravy containing spicy doughnut-shaped dumplings called badi. Kadhi Badi is a palatable vegetarian main course.

Top Famous Restaurants in Rajgir, Bihar

1. Ajatshatru Vihar

   Address: Near Rajgir Bus Stand, Rajgir, Bihar

   Famous for its traditional Bihari thali, offering a variety of vegetarian dishes that highlight local flavors and culinary practices.

2. Gargee Gautam Vihar Resort

   Address: Bangali Para, Rajgir, Bihar

   Known for its upscale dining and a diverse menu that includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, ignoring cow-derived products.

3. Rajgir Residency

   Address: Rail Bazar, Kund Area, Rajgir, Bihar

   Offering a contemporary dining experience with a variety of cuisines, though the specialty remains local Bihari cuisine, primarily serving vegetarian food items.

4. Tripti Restaurant

   Address: Nalanda District, Rajgir, Bihar

   A go-to for budget travelers, offering savory vegetarian street food including litti chokha, samosas, and more.

5. Swad Restaurant

   Address: Near Veerayatan, Rajgir, Bihar

   Famed for its home-style cooked meals providing a homely taste in both vegetarian dishes and ethically-sourced non-vegetarian dishes excluding beef and cow meat.