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Berhampur, the Silk City of Odisha, may be famed across the state and beyond for its lustrous silk sarees, but for true foodies, this bustling southern city offers another treasure—its food.
Widely regarded as the ‘Food Capital of Odisha,’ Berhampur is a culinary wonderland, and this fact is mentioned even on the official website of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).
In this city, vibrant street markets, hidden eateries, and community kitchens serve up a medley of flavours that reflect the city's cultural confluence.
From sunrise breakfasts to midnight snacks, Brahmapur offers a foodscape as layered and colourful as its iconic Patta sarees. Here, the aroma of spices mingles with the chatter of street vendors, and every corner offers something freshly cooked, deeply rooted, and utterly unforgettable.
Where Every Street Feels Like a Food Festival
Walking through the busy streets of Gandhi Nagar, Bada Bazaar or Annapurna Market, one is immediately struck by the rhythmic sizzle of hot oil, the rich aroma of mustard seeds, and the sheer variety on display.
Berhampur’s legendary street food culture runs deep in its veins, where every lane turns into a live kitchen and every snack tells a story.
A must-have is the Puri-Upma and Bara-Ghuguni. Unlike the better-known Dahibara Aloodum from Cuttack, Berhampur’s version brings a savoury punch that is both earthy and fiery, often topped with chopped onions, coriander, and a squeeze of lime.
Other Highlights Include:
Golgappa (Phuchka): Crisp and hollow balls filled with tangy tamarind water and spiced potato.
Puri-Upma: A breakfast favourite where soft semolina upma is paired with flaky, deep-fried puris.
Idli, Dosa, and Upma: South Indian classics with a distinctly Berhampur touch—spicier chutneys, richer sambars, and fluffier textures.
Samosa: A teatime staple, often served with a fiery ghuguni or sweet chutney.
Gughuni Chaat: Spiced yellow peas with toppings like sev, raw onions, and coriander.
The street food scene is alive not only during the day but well into the night. Tea stalls and snack counters stay open past midnight, especially around festival times or after local functions, reflecting a culture where food is celebration and community.
Flavours That Reflect a Confluence of Cultures
Berhampur’s food scene is a harmonious blend of Odia, Telugu, and South Indian influences. Located close to Andhra Pradesh, the city has absorbed Telugu spices and rice-based recipes while preserving core Odia traditions.
Staple meals often include pakhal bhata (fermented rice), served with fried fish or badi chura (crushed lentil cakes mixed with mustard oil, onions, and green chillies). This simple, earthy meal is a local favourite during summer.
The community’s collective pride in its food culture comes alive during festivals like Rath Yatra, Durga Puja and Nuakhai, when special dishes are prepared in abundance and often shared among neighbours. Food in Berhampur isn’t just nourishment—it’s identity, celebration, and social fabric.
A Sweet Ending to Every Meal
No food trail through Berhampur is complete without sampling its desserts. Chief among them is Chhena Poda, the caramelised cheese dessert that’s become synonymous with Odisha itself. Here in Berhampur, it’s often slow-baked in wood-fired ovens, giving it a unique smoky flavour.
Other desserts to try:
Rasagola: Soft cheese balls soaked in light sugar syrup.
Rasabali: Flattened chhena soaked in thickened sweet milk.
Kheeri and Malpua: Often made during religious ceremonies and festive seasons.
A City That Eats, Wears, and Lives Its Culture
Berhampur is more than a city—it’s an experience. To walk its streets is to be engulfed in the aroma of food, the sheen of silk, and the warmth of its people. In every crispy bara, chicken pakora, different variety of soups and in every fold of a Patta saree, there is a piece of Berhampur’s soul—rich, rooted, and wonderfully resilient.
