Cuisine of Chattisgarh has carved a niche for itself among the food explorers. The cuisine of Chhattisgarh serves a wide range of mouth watering dishes and they are enriched with the qualities of protein, vitamins, minerals and iron. Another speciality of Chattisgarh is that the people of this state consider their guests as the representative of God. They make sure that their guests are served with the best quality food of the state.

Cuisine of Chattisgarh is divided mainly into tribal and non tribal dishes. The people consume tangy recipes and sweet mouth-watering dishes. Maize, wheat and jowar are the basic ingredients of their diet. Rice is another food item that is eaten widely in the state. Among the pulses, Arhar dal is the most popular one. Bafauri, made of chana dal is a particular favourite. Interestingly, most of the pulses of this state are made and consumed with various green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, pumpkin and ladyfinger.

The special delicacies of Chattisgarh are jalebis, rakhia badi, petha, khurma and moong dal ka halwa. Rakhia badi and petha are the two distinctive items prepared by the tribal population of Chattisgarh. Jalebi is a sweet dish and it has become an integral part of the food menu of Chhattisgarh. Since the people of Chhattisgarh like to have something sweet at the end of their meal, Jalebi is prepared in almost every household of the state. From child to old people, this lip-smacking dessert is savoured by every one. Rakhia badi is a type of curry which comprises of rakhia phal or fruit, coriander, green chillies, ginger and seeds of slitted black gram. Petha is also a kind of exquisite sweet. These recipes are prepared and eaten at the slightest of occasions.

The people of Chattisgarh are quite fond of particular liquor. This particular liquor is made of fruit of a local tree known as `mahuwa`. The brew is in great demand, throughout the state. Pasiya is another common drink relished by the people.

Unusual Cuisine of Chattisgarh
The tribal people of Bastar region eat whatever is available. Red ant chutney is a favourite dish among these tribes. Flying ants, mushrooms, squirrels and rats are some of their delicacies. Fish and pork comprise a large part of cuisine of Chattisgarh.