Ajam Emba — Restaurant in Jharkhand

This is a story of true foodie it’s the best experience u can enjoy in ur lifetime!!! I am sharing his information & details about this heritage hereditary historic Jharkhand is home for some 32 tribes, of which the Munda, Santhal, Oraon, Ho and others are prominent and have also been classified as ‘Settled Agriculturists’ ... Each of these tribes have their own distinct identity and have their distinct culture and food traditions... Although we come across a lot of tribal art, culture and tribal performances in exhibitions and tribal events, very less is known of their food. Their food has not been showcased well and it’s difficult to find authentic Adivasi food .... I was immensely lucky to come across this amazing lady Aruna Tirkey (Oraon tribe) who runs this small ethnic tribal restaurant ‘Ajam Emba’ which means ‘Very Tasty’ in Kurukh language of the Oraons ..

The ambience and the decor of this place takes you to a real Adivasi village; just that it’s a little modified and plush to suit the city diners... Aruna Ji and her husband Rana Roy were kind to spend a lot of time with me enlightening me about Tribal way of life and the cuisine... The cuisine here is of Oraon and of other tribes of Jharkhand... the food is simple, healthy and extremely delicious .. so much so that I cancelled my tickets and stayed back for an extra day to savour another meal .. I will cover both my dining experiences together here..

As you enter.. you are greeted by a young lady Rice tea: It is a unique tea made with roasted unpolished rice without using any tea leaves ... it has a roasted flavour and we started our meal with this

Red rice: It is a local unpolished rice .. soft and with taste unlike the usual polished rice we eat

Mar Jhor: A spicy tribal soup with rice water, spices and Saag ... 👌🏻👌🏻

Phutkal Chutney.. it’s made of tender leaf buds of the Phutkal tree.. has amazing health benefits and has outstanding taste ... so so yummy

Phutkal Alu sabzi: A dry sabzi with Phutkal sag and tiny whole potatoes ... loved it

Chech bharta: An amazing Saag fry with onion garlic and chillies .. you can eat all your rice with a half a bowlful of this ..

Beng Saag Chutney: Also known Bramhi, Mandook Parini in Hindi & Sanskri and Thankuni pata in Bengali .. this helps improve and restore gut health and nourishes the brain .. so good that I ordered it for both my meals

Baans ka achar: Tender bamboo shoot pickle

Rice Chilka & Marua Chilka: Flat rice & Ragi pancakes similar to appams

Dhuska with tamatar ki Chutney: The most popular Jharkhandi street food.. Its a rice and chana dal deep fried savoury

Salad: Tomato, cucumber, radish & onion cut in small rectangular pieces ..

Getu Fish semi dry curry: A small local fish found in the paddy fields (now getting extinct because of excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides).. extremely delicious.. spices did not overpower the fish.. outstanding

Getu Fish Podhal: Getu fish wrapped in simple masalas in Sal leaves and roasted ...excellent

Chingri semi dry: Small local shrimps lightly cooked to perfection - too too good

Desi chicken curry: Flavourful and not so spicy it’s the favourite for most diners as we came to know .. I liked it very much

Desi mutton Curry: Slow cooked Mutton in simple gravy .. 👌🏻

Gondli Halwa: Little millets halwa.. not so sweet, light and tasty..

Hadia & Chana: The famous local rice beer served with soaked Bengal gram salad..

Roasted ajwain & saunf: Mouth freshner at the end of meal served in a cute wicker basket...

Me and my friends heard about this place quite a lot over the past few years,

Finally we made up a plan and visited this place,

We were greeted with a "johar!" As we entered, It felt good,

We had high expectations from this place after hearing so many good things,

As we looked around we saw a few tables suitable for 4 people each, And if someone wants they can even sit on the mat, there's a sperate section for that.

The overall ambience felt good, it was very homely.

We had travelled almost 15kms in the scorching heat and we were super hungry, We saw the menu on the white board and we decided to order a bunch of delicacies, As we sat down , we were given water in copper glasses which felt very nostalgic.

Now coming towards food,I don't exactly recall all the names, but here are a few:

Mint Sharbat(juice) :40₹ light and refreshing, neither too sweet nor too spicy. Dhuska with ghugni 130₹ Ragi/madua momos: 200₹ these were delicious, We got six pieces of chicken momos. Jharkhandi Thali: 200₹ comprised of red rice, dal, mar jhor( i could taste the futkal saag in it), brinjal curry with barri, bamboo shoot pickle and coriander chutney. Mushroom Curry: 450₹ I was surprised when I saw the quantity for this price tag, but when I tasted it it was delicious. I kept in mind that these are expensive ingredients so naturally the price was high and quantity was less. Mutton Curry: 450₹ The texture of the meat was absolutely perfect, we got around 5 medium size pieces of mutton which tasted amazing, the thickness of the gravy was ideal for chilka roti and rice . Chilka Roti(rice batter): 20₹ per piece we had to wait for a considerable amount of time to get this, the taste was good and it was perfect with all the mutton curry and mushroom, i just wish the service was faster in this, maybe due to rush during lunch hours this happened.

Overall it was a nice experience, i would visit it once more to try out new...

This is a hidden gem for Adivasi Cuisine Enthusiasts. If you’re looking for an authentic culinary experience rooted in tradition, this restaurant specializing in Adivasi (tribal) cuisine is a must-visit. From the moment you step in, you’re transported to a warm, homely setting, complete with vibrant wall paintings that beautifully depict tribal culture and heritage.

The food here is nothing short of extraordinary. They use locally sourced ingredients and stick to traditional food practices, ensuring that each dish is packed with nutrients, proteins, and flavors reminiscent of home-cooked meals. The standout dishes include Mahua flower pickle and a tangy chutney made from Roselle buds, both of which are unique and bursting with earthy flavors.

The menu offers a variety of dishes featuring Maduwa (finger millet), such as Maduwa Chilka Roti, Maduwa Momo, Maduwa Dumbu, and even Maduwa Muffins—a healthy twist on a classic dessert. Patra Pitha, with its subtle spices and rich taste, is another favorite. However, the real star for us was the Dhuska—a traditional, deep-fried delight that left us thoroughly impressed with its crisp texture and wholesome flavor.

The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, making you feel like you’re dining in a friend’s home. The staff deserves special mention for their warmth and hospitality—they go above and beyond to ensure you’re comfortable and enjoying every bite.

This place is not just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of Adivasi culture and food. Whether you’re a food enthusiast looking to try something new or someone who simply loves a hearty, home-like meal, this spot is perfect. A must-visit for its authentic flavors, unique offerings, and the chance to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of...