Dim Bhaja
A simple Bengali-style egg fry that turns boiled eggs golden and lightly crisp in mustard oil with turmeric, chili, and salt. It is quick to make and pairs especially well with rice, dal, or khichuri.
For 4 servings
- boil · ~10 min
Boil and peel the eggs.
Place the eggs in water, bring to a boil, and cook until hard-boiled. Cool them, peel the shells, and pat the eggs dry so they fry cleanly.
TIPDry eggs blister less and take color better in the oil. - prep · ~1 min
Season the eggs.
Rub the peeled eggs with turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt so they are lightly coated on all sides.
- fry · ~5 min
Fry the eggs in mustard oil.
Heat mustard oil in a small pan over medium heat until it just begins to smoke lightly. Add the seasoned eggs and turn them gently until they are golden with light brown spots on all sides.
TIPKeep the heat at medium so the spices do not burn before the eggs color. - serve · ~1 min
Serve the dim bhaja hot.
Serve hot as a side with rice, dal, or khichuri.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Pat the boiled eggs very dry before seasoning so the spices cling and the oil does not splutter.
- 2Make 2-3 shallow slits in each egg if you want the turmeric, chili, and salt to season beyond the surface.
- 3Let the mustard oil smoke lightly, then lower the heat before adding eggs to tame its raw sharpness.
- 4Turn the eggs gently with a spoon so the spice coating stays on while all sides brown evenly.
- 5Do not crowd a very small pan; the eggs need contact with the hot oil to develop golden spots.
- 6Dim bhaja tastes best straight from the pan, but you can boil and peel the eggs a day ahead.
- 7If storing leftovers, refrigerate and reheat briefly in a pan rather than microwaving to keep the exterior firm.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicier
Add a little extra red chili powder or a pinch of black pepper for a hotter version that stands up especially well to plain rice and dal.
jhol styleJhol-style
Use the fried eggs as a base for dim er jhol by adding them to a light Bengali potato curry after browning.
onion garlicOnion-garlic
Fry sliced onion and a little garlic in the mustard oil before adding the eggs for a more robust everyday home-style side.
low spiceLow-spice
Reduce the chili and keep mainly turmeric and salt for a milder version that works well for children or alongside strongly seasoned dishes.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Protein-Rich Side
Eggs make this a satisfying side dish with quality protein that pairs well with rice, dal, or khichuri.
Minimal Ingredient Dish
This preparation uses a short ingredient list and only a small amount of oil, keeping the dish simple and focused.
Contains Beneficial Spices
Turmeric and chili add flavor along with plant compounds, so the dish gets depth without relying on heavy sauces.
Frequently asked questions
Dry eggs splutter less in hot oil, hold the spice coating better, and brown more evenly instead of steaming in the pan.
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