Travel to a destination cannot be complete without local food. Every place no matter how small or big has a local delicacy hidden in its regional cuisine. Most of the time ingredients remain the same. But it’s the process that makes all the difference. The Bamboo Chicken delicacy at Araku Valley is one such traditional delicious chicken recipe of Araku Valley.
In Araku Valley tribal communities cook chicken inside the hollow part of the bamboo shoot without using any oil or water.
Bamboo Chicken Recipe from Araku Valley
They take the small raw chicken pieces and marinate them with ginger heavy masala. Stuff the marinated chicken recipe inside the bamboo piece that is open from one side. And close the open end by stuffing the Sal leaves, called Adda leaves locally. This piece is now put on the coal fire. And turned around a few times so that the heat spreads out evenly. Note that no oil or water is used in this cooking. It is only the heat passing through the burning bamboo that cooks the food inside.
Once the outside parts look a bit burnt black, it is an indication that the chicken is cooked well. Then open the bamboo, and remove the Sal leaves. The chicken delicacy is ready to be savored. Traditionally, this local tribal delicacy is served on Sal leaves.
Trade Mark Chicken Delicacy of Araku
This is a trademark delicacy of the tribal communities of the valley. Only they are allowed to cook using bamboo. It is not served in restaurants. Though the local restaurants will arrange to bring it for you from the tribal sellers. You will find small roadside stalls made of bamboo, managed mostly by women. With green bamboo standing, masalas or spices scattered, and a small coal Chulha or stove at the back. I was told that during peak season people have to wait for hours before they can get this dish. Such is the popularity that it enjoys. I could not figure out if the Government has put a restriction on others making the dish. But if they have, it is definitely a good move. It is helping a lot of the local population to reap the benefits of the tourism economy.
My only grouse is that being a vegetarian I could not enjoy bamboo cooking. I tried asking them if they can make anything vegetarian using the same method. But no one showed any enthusiasm at the suggestion. They only smiled and I tried to guess the taste from the faces of those who were eating.
You will find the beautiful landscape of the Coffee plantations along the roads leading to the town. It is a pleasant drive through the beauty of nature.
Recommend you to read the following Places to visit in Araku Valley.
Looks awesome. Would love to have a taste of this. Thanks for sharing this.
chaala baakunthi..(very nice)
That is a discovery Anuradha! Never heard of this. Noted now. Will try on my Araku trip
Thats a really interesting dish. And ummm mouth-watering too I must say.
The first time I’ve seen this dish is in a Telugu Movie called ‘Village lo Vinayakudu’ being a veggie even i don’t have a chance to eat but will definitely try with something in veggie and will come back with a recipe.
wow! thanks anu…really most interesting. Part of my mom’s family comes from Vizag and they’ve never told me about this!
interesting..i would for sure try when i visit Araku
I had a chance to taste Bamboo Chicken, it was delicious indeed, nice post, thanks
Wow !! Looks very interesting, surely the chicken must also be infused with the flavour from the bamboo. Would love to try…!
I have heard so much about this dish, but never took interest being vegetarian myself. But the pictures do make it look yummy ( just a guess 🙂
In Cambodia, though they eat literally anything & everything that is no-veg, there is a vegetarian dish called Kralan made in bamboo. And it tastes yummy. 🙂
Here is the post.
http://www.lemonicks.com/Travel/2012/01/18/kralan-cambodian-bamboo-rice-cake/
Interesting post! thanks for tell about a new dish.
I had the good fortune to enjoy this dish at Kanker recently in Chhatisgarh. The family hosting me made this as yes, it was delicious. The bamboo flavour infused chicken was heavenly. We also discussed possibility of vegetarian dishes and two possible ingredients which were suggested were the traditional Aviyal vegetables or Tofu
Tofu seems like a good alternative to Chicken Jayanti. Next time I go to that tribal belt, I would carry some Tofu with me. Thanks for sharing the tip.
Looks yummy