Discover The Top Dishes You Must Try In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, often referred to as Uttar Pradesh's heart of culture, is famous for its food with a delightful fusion of Mughlai, Awadhi, and classic North Indian tastes. The city's vivid past as well as the legacy of the Nawabs significantly influence its exceptional food culture, making it an essential stop for any food lover. Let me list down some mouth-watering dishes from Lucknow that should be on your culinary checklist.

Harpreet Kour Updated: Sep 02, 2024 3:00 PM IST

Uttar Pradesh' cultural capital is the city of Lucknow which is famous not just for its rich history and nawab heritage but also for its mouthwatering cuisine. The city's culinary art fuses Mughlai, Awadhi and indigenous North Indian flavors, offering a wide-ranging yet appetizing gastronomic tour. The following are some of the best dishes from this city that you should try.

Tunday Kababi

To complete your culinary journey through Lucknow, it is essential to take time out and try the galouti kebabs here at Tunday Kababi. These kebabs melt in your mouth because they are made from minced meat combined with secret spices and papaya for tenderization. Served with ulte tawa ka paratha (layered flatbread), these kebabs attest to the rich culinary traditions of Lucknow.

Galawati Kebab

Another extraordinary delight among the numerous types of kebab served in Lucknow is Galawati Kebab. Made by Nawabs of Awadh, these kebabs have a silky texture and strong flavor. Prepared from finely minced meat blended with cloves or cardamom among other spices, Galawati kebab can be relished along with roomali roti or consumed alone as well.

Lucknowi Biryani

The traditional biryani dish in Lucknow is made up of fragrant rice, tender meat (commonly mutton or chicken), as well as fragrant additives such as saffron and rose water. Unlike any other biryani type, lucknowi biryani has less space thereby allowing one to taste the natural flavor of meat and rice too when compared to others. It is usually accompanied by raita (condiments made from yogurt) and salad.

Kulcha Nihari

Kulcha Nihari combines two best street food options served in Lucknow. Soft and airy kulchas are accompanied by hot bowls of Nihari so that one can dip the bread into the savory soup. This meal is also ideal for people looking to have quick bites while enjoying authentic Awadhi flavors.

Nihari

One of the popular breakfast choices in Lucknow is Nihari, which is a slow-cooked stew that typically includes tender meat simmered with bone marrow overnight, usually beef or mutton. This produces an intensely flavored broth which is traditionally eaten with naan or kulcha, along with a squeeze of lemon and some chopped green chilies to enhance its taste.

Sheermal

A sweet entry in Lucknow's culinary diary; sheermal is a traditional type of bread made using wheat flour, milk, sugar and saffron. Baked in a clay oven, sheermal has a slightly sweet tinge and goes well with kebabs or korma as well. It is often enjoyed during festive occasions or as a special treat.

Phirni

Lastly, don't forget phirni on your culinary journey through lucknow; this rice pudding laced with cardamom and saffron forms an essential part of any typical meal in this city. Phirni is a cool and soothing dessert that is traditionally served in earthenware dishes and it's an exemplar of Lucknow's passion for rich, creamy sweets.

Malai ki Gilori

For those with a sweet tooth, Malai ki Gilori is not to be missed while visiting Lucknow. It's a milk based delicacy stuffed with khoya (thickened milk), dry fruits mixtures including saffron and cardamom finally wrapped by layering it within thin malai (clotted cream). The outcome is a creamy soft melting cake like confectionery that signifies culinary excellence in Lucknow.

In conclusion, Lucknow's culinary panorama is a storehouse of tastes and customs that are waiting to be discovered. You can find varieties of dishes that come from the city's kinghood and the richness of its culture including kebabs, biryanis or even desserts that are a little bit sinful. For this reason, when in Lucknow, make sure you get your taste buds around these iconic foods as part of your gastronomical trip which will stay with you forever.