President Droupadi Murmu loves Rice Cheela for breakfast: 5 other Odia breakfast dishes that are truly comforting

President Droupadi Murmu loves living a simple life. According to an exclusive NDTV video, she loves eating sattvik meals, and prefers leafy greens and easy-to-digest meals. In the video, the head chef of President Murmu's home kitchen mentioned that she loves humble rice cheela for breakfast among all other dishes. This simple choice highlights the deep connection many Odia households have with locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes. According to head chef, she is also a no-fuss eater, who enjoys all things homemade and prefers to have her meals on time. For the unversed, rice cheela is made from soaked and ground rice batter, which is a light and soft pancake often flavoured with cumin, green chilies, and a pinch of rock salt. It is quick to prepare, easy to digest, and provides a good source of carbohydrates for sustained energy. Odia cuisine, particularly its morning meals, focuses on balancing carbs, protein, and fiber in a way that energises without overloading the digestive system. Beyond the cheela, here we have listed some other truly comforting breakfast dishes.

It is one of the most popular breakfasts in Odia cuisine enjoyed during summer months. It is made by soaking cooked rice in water and fermenting it overnight. It is paired with fried or mashed vegetables, green chilies, and pickles. It is not just a breakfast, but a cooling, nourishing meal rich in probiotics.

It is a sweet breakfast dish, made with flattened rice (chuda), jaggery, coconut, and banana. It is a one-bowl breakfast rich in carbohydrates, iron and minerals, making it a wholesome start to the day. (Image: Instagram/cheftzac)

It is a steamed stuffed breakfast dish, made with rice flour and urad dal batter. The pitha is stuffed with a mixture of grated coconut and jaggery, then wrapped in turmeric leaves and steamed. According to experts, the leaves impart a subtle aroma and flavour along with mild antimicrobial properties. What makes it unique is that it is wrapped and steamed in turmeric leaves, which infuse a distinct earthy aroma and subtle medicinal benefits. (Image: Instagram/the_balasoriani)

It looks very similar to dosa, but is thicker and softer. It is made with a fermented batter of rice and urad dal, and is paired with chutneys or a simple dal, offering a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fibre.

It is a hearty street-style breakfast from Odisha. Bara refers to a deep-fried lentil fritter, and ghuguni refers to white pea curry cooked with mild spices. The combination is rich in protein and also offers complex carbs, making it an energising and satisfying morning meal. (Image: Instagram/myhungryrambles)