Meat Bhat in Hazaribagh – The Streetside Local Delicacy

Hazaribagh, like much of Jharkhand and neighbouring Bihar, enjoys meat dishes with rice (“Bhat”) due to local culinary traditions, tribal influences, and readily available ingredients.

They make it a hearty, flavorful, and common meal for many, especially as a rich, protein-filled accompaniment to staple rice, differing from purely vegetarian norms in some other Indian communities.

1. Staple Diet: Rice (“Bhat”) is a fundamental staple in Jharkhand, and meat provides a popular, protein-rich accompaniment to this staple.
2. Tribal & Local Flavours: Jharkhand has rich tribal culture, and their traditional diets often incorporate meat (like chicken, mutton, or fish) cooked with local spices, which becomes part of the regional food identity.
3. Hearty & Filling: A meal of meat curry with rice is substantial, providing energy for the local populace, often working in agriculture or mining (Hazaribagh is mineral-rich).
4. Cultural Integration: While vegetarianism exists, meat-eating isn’t restricted to specific castes in many parts of Eastern India, including Jharkhand, making it a common, beloved dish across communities, especially for festivals or special occasions.
5. Popular Dishes: Dishes like spicy chicken or mutton curries (often simply called “Meat Bhat” when served with rice) are staples in local eateries and homes, similar to popular Bihari and Jharkhandi fare. 

In essence, “Meat Bhat” is a classic, comforting, and culturally significant meal in Hazaribagh, reflecting the region’s diverse culinary heritage and practical dietary needs. 

So the traveller in me made me travel to Kolkata from Goa with my friend & Chef Sujit Sinha, partaking in the adventure.

While in Kolkata, three of us (Pranab Pal Da, Sujit, & Myself) were invited by the DFO (District Forest Officer) West, Hazaribagh, Mr Maun Prakash, to meet him and survey a few properties under his domain.

For our (Pranab Da, Sujit, & I) accommodation, the DFO West placed us at the 12 Room, Tilaiya Dam Forest Rest House located at Barhi, around 50 kms from his office.

While we were in the neighbourhood of Barhi, regular meetings were held at the DFO office in Hazaribagh, which made us go through the city a few times.

I spotted this Meat Bhat joint on this route, and three of us (Pranab Da, Sujit, & Myself) stopped during my second visit for a late lunch while on our way back to the Tilaiya Forest Rest House at Barhi.

The time was around 1600 hrs (4 PM), and we realised that the place was still bustling with locals rushing in and out for lunch. They had seating inside the hutment as well as outside it.

There may be a very few restaurants or dhabas globally that go by and serve the same item as food. Meat Bhat in Hazaribagh is one such example. They go by the name Meat Bhat and are famous for the same dish.

Meat Bhat Dhaba outlet is located on the Ranchi Patna road that connects Hazaribagh city to the National Highway – 20.

As I parked my Mahendra Scorpio N by the roadside, Sujit & Pranab Da had already entered the Dhaba were busy inspecting the hygiene of the outlet.

By the time I entered the precincts, they had taken a table and placed the order for three thalis of meat bhat and a portion of fried fish.

In addition to Meat Bhat, they also serve chicken curry and fried fish to their hungry patrons. The owner of the establishment continuously hovers to ensure that the food and the service remain impeccable.

Despite being so busy, Meat Bhat has a spotless kitchen and dining area. For a hutment, the U-shaped kitchen was huge. As you enter the place, you see it on the right side.

As we entered, I spotted five cooks working there and preparing hunger-satiating dishes with the owner of the outlet (The guy in the white jacket) supervising as the orders flowed in.

Kitchen workers in action

In the meantime, Sujit had managed to grab a spotless table and placed the lunch order of three thalis of meat bhat and a serving of fried fish. And the action started at that very moment.

The guy in our attendance laid down three pattals. A pattal is a natural plate or a trencher made with broad leaves.

As the pattals were laid in front of us, the lunch service started immediately. A plate of rice scooped some rice from a bowl that landed on each pattal one by one.

To follow the rice, a singular papad was placed, and then the salad was served very gently and layer by layer, making a tower of radish, carrots, onions and green chillies.

This was followed by highly fragrant meat or mutton – the showstopper. The server dug a hole in the mound of rice and filled it with mutton and its gravy.

And then the delicious fried fish was deposited pronto, one piece to each eater.

Our repeated requests for more meat gravy were attended to graciously and rapidly an we continued to eat to our fill.

Streetside meat bhat in hazaribagh, jharkhand

Streetside meat bhat in hazaribagh, jharkhand

We paid our Rs. 810 for the princely meal that we devoured, gave our thanks and departed for our accommodation.

The outlet, despite being a hutment, was clean, and the food was being prepared hygienically. The staff had specific responsibilities that were absolutely clear. To top it all, the owner was at hand of supervision.

The food served in pattals was admirable in the times of stainless steel and plastic. It was wholesome, including the savoury papad, fresh and clean green salad, rice and the steller on the menu, their mutton.

The fish was well marinated and crispy fried and totally delicious.

The server kept a close eye on our food and was immediately at hand for any request we had to make. More fish were offered that we declined.

I think we were all enamoured by the mutton curry, and so we kept on asking for extra gravy, eating with gusto.