Bhumi Pednekar discovers Odia cuisine in Rourkela: 'Most underrated food in India'
Synopsis
Bhumi Pednekar went to Rourkela for work and came back an evangelist for Odia food — calling it the country's most underrated cuisine. Her spotlight on Pakhala Bhata, a centuries-old fermented rice dish, is the kind of celebrity nudge that can put an entire regional food tradition on the national map.
Key Takeaways
Bhumi Pednekar visited Rourkela, Odisha for work and used the trip to explore local cuisine.
She called Odia food 'the most underrated food in the country' in a social media post.
Pakhala Bhata — fermented rice soaked overnight — was among the dishes she highlighted, praising its probiotic qualities.
She described Odia flavours as 'layered' and 'thoughtful', created for wellness as much as taste.
Pednekar is currently preparing for season two of 'Daldal' on Prime Video and an upcoming romantic comedy with Imran Khan .
Actress Bhumi Pednekar recently turned a work trip to Rourkela, Odisha, into an unexpected culinary adventure, declaring that Odia cuisine is among the most underrated food traditions in the country. The actress shared her experience on social media, sparking fresh curiosity about the region's rich food culture.
How It Started
Pednekar, who had travelled to Rourkela for professional commitments, found herself veering off schedule — drawn instead to the city's local food scene. In a video compilation she posted on the photo-sharing app, she wrote: 'Bhooki Bhumi has reached Rourkela! I came here for work, but as usual, my stomach had other plans. Between meetings and madness, I went on a full-blown food adventure and discovered that Odisha has been quietly serving some of the most underrated food in the country. Seriously, why is nobody talking about this enough?!'
The Dish That Stood Out
Among the delicacies she sampled, Pakhala Bhata — a traditional Odia preparation of cooked rice soaked in water and fermented overnight — made a strong impression. 'Pakhala Bhata. Refreshing, packed with gut-friendly bacteria, and basically the original probiotic before probiotics became cool,' she noted. The dish, long a staple in Odisha's summer diet, has gained wider attention in recent years as interest in fermented and probiotic foods has grown nationally.
What She Said About Odia Food
Pednekar was effusive in her assessment of the broader cuisine. 'Every meal had me going, ‘Wait… what is this and why is it so good?’ The flavours are layered, the ingredients are thoughtful, and everything feels like it was created with purpose — not just taste, but wellness too,' she wrote. She concluded by saying she arrived in Rourkela for work and 'left with a new personality trait: talking about Odia food.'
On the Professional Front
Pednekar recently earned widespread praise for her performance in the Prime Video series 'Daldal', based on Vish Dhamija's bestselling novel Bhendi Bazaar, which premiered on 30 January this year. She is now reportedly preparing for season two of the show. Her upcoming slate also includes a romantic comedy alongside Imran Khan, marking their first on-screen collaboration.
Point of View
But Pednekar's Rourkela detour touches something more substantive: Odia cuisine, despite its nutritional depth and ancient fermentation traditions, remains almost invisible in national food discourse dominated by North Indian and coastal fare. Pakhala Bhata is a dish that predates the probiotic wellness trend by centuries, yet it rarely appears on urban menus or food media lists. When a mainstream Bollywood name calls it out with genuine detail rather than a vague 'loved the local food' caption, it creates a searchable, shareable moment that food tourism boards and regional chefs would struggle to manufacture on their own. The question is whether this translates into sustained curiosity or fades as the next celebrity travel post arrives.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pakhala Bhata, the dish Bhumi Pednekar praised?
Pakhala Bhata is a traditional Odia dish made by soaking cooked rice in water and fermenting it overnight. It is a cooling summer staple in Odisha, widely valued for its probiotic properties and digestive benefits.
Why did Bhumi Pednekar visit Rourkela?
Bhumi Pednekar travelled to Rourkela for professional work commitments. During the trip, she took time to explore the city's local food scene and shared her experience on social media.
What did Bhumi Pednekar say about Odia cuisine?
She described Odia food as 'the most underrated food in the country', praising its layered flavours and wellness-oriented ingredients. She specifically highlighted Pakhala Bhata as 'the original probiotic before probiotics became cool.'
What are Bhumi Pednekar's upcoming projects?
Pednekar is reportedly gearing up for season two of the Prime Video series 'Daldal', which premiered on 30 January this year. She is also set to appear in a romantic comedy alongside Imran Khan, their first on-screen collaboration.
Why is Odia cuisine considered underrated?
Despite a rich tradition of fermented foods, rice-based dishes, and wellness-focused cooking, Odia cuisine has received limited national media attention compared to cuisines from other Indian states. Food critics and regional advocates have long argued it deserves wider recognition.
