Litti Chokha

Litti Chokha is the quintessential culinary identity of Bihar and is loved across the subcontinent. Littis are round balls of whole wheat dough, stuffed with a spiced filling of roasted gram flour (sattu), and traditionally roasted directly over burning cow dung cakes or charcoal. Once roasted to a dark, smoky perfection, they are broken open and generously dipped in pure desi ghee. The partner dish, Chokha, is a smoky, earthy mash of fire-roasted brinjal (eggplant), boiled potatoes, and raw tomatoes seasoned with mustard oil, green chilies, garlic, and fresh coriander. Together, they form a nutritious, hearty, and deeply satisfying meal that has nourished Bihari farmers for centuries.

Sattu filling is mixed with raw mustard oil, pickle masala, ajwain, garlic, and green chilies. Wheat dough balls are stuffed with this mix and sealed. The stuffed dough balls (littis) are traditionally roasted directly on burning cow dung cakes or on a wire mesh over charcoal for 25–35 minutes, turning regularly until evenly charred and cooked through. For Chokha, brinjal, tomatoes, and potatoes are separately fire-roasted whole, then peeled and hand-mashed together with raw mustard oil, garlic, green chilies, and black salt.

Served hot with generous dipping in melted desi ghee. Accompanied by Chokha (brinjal-potato mash) and a side of raw onion and green chutney. Traditionally eaten by hand.

Tandoori Litti (baked in clay tandoor, popular in Patna), Oven-baked Litti (modern variant), Stuffed with Sattu + onion variant (richer, sweeter), Rajasthani "Baati" is a close cousin but made without stuffing and with different spices.

• ◆Whole wheat flour (Atta)
• ◆Sattu (roasted gram/chickpea flour)
• ◆Brinjal (Baingan/Eggplant)
• ◆Potatoes (Aloo)
• ◆Tomatoes
• ◆Raw mustard oil (Sarson ka tel)
• ◆Pure desi ghee
• ◆Fresh garlic
• ◆Ginger
• ◆Green chilies
• ◆Fresh coriander leaves
• ◆Lime/Lemon juice
• ◆Kala namak (Black salt)

“Smoky, earthy, rustic, nutty from sattu, sharp from raw mustard oil, subtly spiced with a lingering charcoal aroma. The ghee adds richness and mellows the heat.”

High in protein (sattu is 20-25% protein), complex carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. Sattu is a powerhouse superfood used as a natural energy drink. A complete, balanced meal. One litti provides approximately 200-250 kcal.

• ✦Desi ghee
• ✦Aloo chokha
• ✦Baingan chokha
• ✦Tomato chutney
• ✦Raw onion
• ✦Sattu sharbat