In Darbhanga, a street vendor is frying snacks in salt instead of oil, and charging just ₹20

Near Laheriyasarai Tower in Darbhanga, a street cart serves a bhuja roasted purely in hot salt with no oil or spices, priced at just ₹20 for 100 grams, complete with a free garlic and green chilli chutney.

At Laheriyasarai Tower in Bihar's Darbhanga district, a street cart draws a steady crowd every evening for a snack that uses no oil and no fiery spices, yet has become the talk of the town.

A Recipe That Skips The Oil Entirely
The cart is run by Chandrabhan Vishwakarma, who moved from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. He says the snack is fried in salt rather than oil. His stall is set up near the tower from 10 am to 5 pm, covering the entire working day. A kadhai is placed on a wood stove and filled with 5 to 7 kilograms of salt, which is heated until it turns scorching hot. Once the salt reaches the right temperature, 5 to 7 ingredients go in, including water soaked chana, dry chana, chuda (flattened rice) and almonds. These roast in the hot salt until crisp, after which the salt is sifted out through a sieve and the hot bhuja is served straight to the customer.

Just ₹20 For 100 Grams, Chutney Included
A 100 gram portion costs ₹20, and the accompanying chutney comes free. Chandrabhan explains that because there is no oil or masala involved, the snack does not cause gas or acidity, which means people of every age, from the elderly to small children, can eat it without worry.

Lawyers, Clerks And Shopkeepers All Line Up
The cart's location is a big part of its appeal, sitting between the local court complex on one side and the market on the other, which brings in customers from both directions. During lunch hours, lawyers from the court premises, collectorate staff and commissionerate officials are regularly spotted at the stall. Shopkeepers from the nearby market are equally fond of it, and demand keeps climbing by the day.

The Garlic Green Chilli Chutney That Steals The Show
The chutney served alongside the bhuja is just as popular. Made by artisan Surajbhan Vishwakarma from green chillies and garlic, it is sharp and tangy. He says the chutney can be stored for an entire month, and while its colour may change over that time, the taste stays exactly the same. Many customers ask for extra helpings of the chutney rather than the bhuja itself.

A Cheap, Healthy Bite In An Era Of Rising Prices
At a time when a single samosa can cost ₹10 and pakoras arrive dripping in oil, this salt roasted bhuja offers people a cheap, simple and healthy alternative. A flavour that originated in Azamgarh has now found a firm place on Mithila's palate. The stall at Laheriyasarai in Darbhanga is not just filling stomachs, it is also proving that food can taste remarkable even without a drop of oil.

What this means for you
• Across India: Amid rising oil prices and growing health concerns, this shows that cheap, oil-free street food options still exist, especially for people who avoid fried snacks due to gas or acidity.
• In Darbhanga: Court staff, lawyers and shoppers near Laheriyasarai Tower now have a light, quick and healthy ₹20 lunch option right where they work.

Questions & Answers

1. Where in Darbhanga can this bhuja be found?
It is sold from a cart near Laheriyasarai Tower, located between the court complex and the market.

2. How much does the bhuja cost?
It costs ₹20 for 100 grams, and the chutney served with it is free.

3. How is this bhuja actually cooked?
It is roasted in hot salt rather than oil, using 5 to 7 kilograms of salt heated in a kadhai.

4. What are the cart's operating hours?
The stall runs from 10 am to 5 pm, covering the entire regular working day.

5. How long does the chutney stay good?
Artisan Surajbhan Vishwakarma says it can be stored for a full month; its colour may change but the taste stays the same.

6. What ingredients go into the bhuja?
It includes water soaked chana, dry chana, chuda, almonds and a few other items, totalling 5 to 7 ingredients.

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