Culinary Heritage

Pakhala Bhata

Traditional Odia Staple, Odisha

Back to Cuisine of Odisha

Pakhala Bhata

Pakhala Bhata

Traditional Odia Staple

Pakhala is a rice dish made by adding water to cooked rice. It may be allowed to ferment overnight, called basi pakhala, or served unfermented as saja pakhala. It is primarily eaten in summer and served with green chillies, onions, yoghurt, badi, and other accompaniments. This cooling dish is a beloved staple in every Odia household.