Where to Buy Poha (Flattened Rice) in Los Angeles

You can buy poha (flattened rice) in Los Angeles at Anoras Cash N Carry, 567 S Fairfax Ave in the Fairfax District. We stock Spicy World Thick Poha in a 2 lb bag and a family-size 4 lb bag, so whether you're making a quick weekday breakfast or cooking for a crowd, there's a size that fits. We're open daily 10 AM to 9 PM, and we deliver across a 10-mile radius of Mid-Wilshire — so kanda poha can be on your stove tonight.

Poha is one of those pantry staples that's hard to find at a regular supermarket but lives on the shelf at a real Indian grocery. Here's what it is, which type to buy, and how to turn it into a breakfast you'll actually look forward to.

What is poha, exactly?

Poha is rice that's been parboiled, rolled flat, and dried into light, papery flakes. Because the grain is already partly cooked, poha doesn't need boiling — a quick rinse softens it in a couple of minutes, which is why it's the fastest hot breakfast in the Indian kitchen. You'll also hear it called flattened rice, beaten rice, pauwa, aval (in Tamil), or avalakki (in Kannada). It's naturally gluten-free, easy to digest, and endlessly forgiving for new cooks.

Beyond breakfast, poha shows up in crunchy snack mixes like chivda, in sweet offerings during festivals, and as a light binder in cutlets and tikkis. But most people come looking for it to make one dish in particular.

Thick poha vs thin poha: which should you buy?

This is the question that trips people up, and buying the wrong one is the difference between fluffy and mushy. There are two everyday types:

Thick poha is the workhorse. The flakes are sturdy, they hold their shape after rinsing, and they won't dissolve into paste. This is what you want for kanda poha, batata poha, and most cooked breakfasts. The Spicy World Thick Poha we carry is exactly this grade — pick the 2 lb bag for a household, or the 4 lb bag if poha is a weekly habit.

Thin poha is delicate and almost lacy. It's made for dry roasting into chivda and namkeen, or for dishes where you want the flakes to melt in, not stand up. If you try to cook thin poha like the thick kind, it turns to mush — so for cooked breakfasts, reach for thick every time.

Takeaway: when in doubt, buy thick poha. It's the one that makes the classic dish.

How do you make kanda poha at home?

Kanda poha — onion poha — is the Maharashtrian breakfast that made this ingredient famous, and it comes together in about fifteen minutes. Here's the shape of it:

Rinse two cups of thick poha in a colander until the water runs clear, then let it sit and drain. The flakes should be damp and soft but not soggy — squeeze one and it should give, not smear. While it rests, heat a little oil, crackle mustard seeds, add a pinch of turmeric, then sauté chopped onion, green chili, and a handful of raw peanuts until the onion softens and the peanuts turn golden. Fold in the drained poha, a little sugar and salt, and warm it through. Finish with lemon, fresh coriander, and — if you have them — curry leaves.

You'll find the mustard seeds, turmeric, and curry leaves for the tempering in our Spices & Masalas aisle, and the peanuts that make poha proper in our snacks section. That crunchy peanut-and-onion base is what separates real kanda poha from plain steamed flakes.

Why buy poha at an Indian grocery instead of a regular store?

Flattened rice is a specialty grain, and mainstream LA supermarkets rarely carry it — and when they do, it's a tiny, pricey box. At an Indian grocery you get the right grade (thick for cooking), honest bag sizes, and brands that actually move off the shelf, so the poha is fresh rather than sitting for a year. We keep poha near the rest of our lentils and grains, alongside the dals, rice, and millets that round out a South Asian pantry.

We're a deep Indian and international grocery, which means the things poha pairs with — peanuts, mustard seeds, curry leaves, sev for topping — are all under one roof at 567 S Fairfax Ave. No hunting across three stores.

Can you get poha delivered in Los Angeles?

Yes. We deliver within a 10-mile radius of our Fairfax store, roughly 10 AM to 8 PM daily, reaching Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Culver City, Koreatown, and the rest of Mid-Wilshire. The minimum order is $35.97, delivery is $7.98, and it's free once you cross $99 — easy to hit when you're stocking a pantry. If you'd rather browse in person, we're open every day from 10 AM to 9 PM. You can see the full neighborhood and delivery details on our Indian grocery store in Los Angeles page, or start a cart on the Anoras Cash N Carry homepage.

How do you store poha so it stays fresh?

Keep poha in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot, away from humidity. Dry flakes will hold for months that way. If your kitchen runs warm or damp — an LA summer thing — an airtight jar is your friend, and you can refresh slightly stale thin poha with a quick dry roast before turning it into chivda. Buy the bag size that matches how often you cook it: the 2 lb for occasional mornings, the 4 lb if kanda poha is in your weekly rotation.

Frequently asked questions about poha

Is poha the same as flattened rice?

Yes — poha, flattened rice, beaten rice, pauwa, aval, and avalakki all refer to the same thing: parboiled rice rolled into thin, dried flakes. Regional names differ, but it's one ingredient.

Is poha gluten-free?

Poha is made only from rice, so it's naturally gluten-free. As always, check the label if you have a serious allergy and need certified handling, but the flakes themselves contain no wheat.

Do I need thick or thin poha for kanda poha?

Thick poha. It holds its shape after rinsing and won't turn to paste. Thin poha is best saved for dry-roasted chivda and namkeen. Our Spicy World poha is the thick grade.

How much does poha cost at Anoras Cash N Carry?

Spicy World Thick Poha runs about $5.50 for the 2 lb bag and $9.90 for the 4 lb bag at our Fairfax store, so it's an inexpensive staple however often you cook it.

Where in Los Angeles can I buy poha in person?

At Anoras Cash N Carry, 567 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, in the Fairfax District near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. We're open daily 10 AM to 9 PM, and you can call us at 323-272-3617.