Uttar Pradesh is a culinary paradise, offering a rich blend of Mughlai, Awadhi, and regional flavors. Here are 10 of the best foods you must try, along with detailed descriptions:
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1. Tunday Kebab
Tunday Kebab is a famous dish from Lucknow, known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich flavors. This Awadhi delicacy was created by Haji Murad Ali, a one-armed chef, hence the name “Tunday”. The kebabs are made from finely minced buffalo meat, blended with over 160 aromatic spices, including cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and saffron, giving them a distinct taste. Traditionally, they are pan-fried in ghee, resulting in a soft, juicy texture that requires minimal chewing. Tunday Kebabs are often served with roomali roti, mint chutney, and sliced onions, making for a flavorful meal. This dish has become synonymous with Lucknow’s culinary heritage, attracting food lovers from across India. Whether enjoyed at the iconic Tunday Kababi restaurant or prepared at home, these kebabs remain a timeless favorite.
2. Galouti Kebab
Galouti Kebab is a legendary dish from Lucknow, known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich flavors. The name “Galouti” means soft, referring to the kebab’s delicate consistency, which was created for a Nawab who had lost his teeth but still craved flavorful meat. Made with finely minced mutton, the meat is marinated with raw papaya, and aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then blended into a smooth paste. The mixture is shaped into patties and pan-fried in ghee, resulting in a juicy, flavorful kebab that requires minimal chewing. Traditionally served with roomali roti, mint chutney, and sliced onions, Galouti Kebab is a staple of Awadhi cuisine, celebrated for its royal heritage and exquisite taste. Whether enjoyed at the famous Tunday Kababi or homemade, this dish remains a favorite among food lovers.
3. Lucknawi Biryani
Lucknawi Biryani, also known as Awadhi Biryani, is a royal dish from Lucknow, celebrated for its aromatic flavors and delicate cooking technique. Unlike other biryanis, it follows the dum cooking method, where marinated meat (mutton or chicken) and fragrant basmati rice are layered and slow-cooked, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully. The meat is marinated with yogurt, saffron, cashew paste, and a blend of spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise, giving it a rich taste. The rice is parboiled with whole spices, ensuring each grain remains separate and infused with aroma. Lucknawi Biryani is milder compared to Hyderabadi Biryani, focusing on subtle flavors and slow cooking rather than excessive spice. Traditionally served with raita or mirchi ka salan, this dish is a true representation of Awadhi’s culinary heritage.
4. Petha
Petha is a famous Indian sweet, originally from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, known for its translucent, soft texture and delicate sweetness. Made from ash gourd (white pumpkin) and sugar, this candy is prepared by boiling ash gourd pieces and soaking them in sugar syrup, creating a chewy yet firm consistency. The process involves curing the gourd in slaked lime water, which helps retain its shape and absorb the syrup properly. Over time, Petha has evolved into various flavors, including Kesar Petha, Angoori Petha, Chocolate Petha, and Paan Petha. It is often enjoyed as a refreshing dessert, especially in warm weather, due to its light and juicy texture. Petha is widely available in sweet shops across Agra, making it a must-try delicacy for visitors.
5. Aloo Kachori
Aloo Kachori is a delicious North Indian snack, known for its crispy, flaky crust and spiced potato filling. The outer layer is made from wheat flour or all-purpose flour, kneaded with ghee to achieve a rich texture. The stuffing consists of boiled and mashed potatoes, seasoned with cumin, coriander, fennel, red chili powder, and dry mango powder, creating a flavorful and tangy taste. The kachoris are stuffed, rolled, and deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crunchy exterior and soft, spiced filling. Aloo Kachori is often served with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or yogurt, making it a perfect tea-time snack or festive treat. This dish is especially popular in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where it is enjoyed as street food or homemade comfort food.
6. Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a beloved North Indian dish, known for its spicy chickpea curry (chole) and deep-fried fluffy bread (bhature). The chickpeas are soaked overnight and slow-cooked with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala, creating a rich and flavorful curry. Bhature, made from maida (refined flour), yogurt, and baking soda, is kneaded into a soft dough, rolled out, and deep-fried until golden brown and puffed up. The combination of crispy nature and tangy chole makes for a satisfying and indulgent meal, often enjoyed with pickle, onions, and a glass of lassi. This dish is a staple in Punjabi cuisine and is widely loved across India, especially as a weekend or festive treat.
7. Sheermal
Sheermal is a soft, mildly sweet, saffron-flavored flatbread, originating from Mughlai cuisine with Persian influences. The name comes from the Persian words “sheer” (milk) and “malidan” (to knead), referring to the milk-based dough preparation. Made with all-purpose flour, milk, sugar, saffron, and ghee, Sheermal has a rich, fragrant taste and a slightly flaky texture. Traditionally, it is baked in a tandoor or cooked on a griddle, resulting in a golden-brown, buttery bread. Some variations include rose water, cardamom, or dry fruits, enhancing its aroma and sweetness. Sheermal is often served with kebabs, and curries, or enjoyed as a tea-time snack, making it a versatile dish in Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Kashmir. Whether paired with spicy gravies or eaten plain, its royal heritage and delicate flavors make it a cherished part of Indian cuisine.
8. Tehri
Tehri, also known as Tahri or Tehari, is a flavorful one-pot rice dish from Uttar Pradesh, often compared to pulao and biryani but with its distinct taste. Traditionally, it is made by cooking basmati rice with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrots, seasoned with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and garam masala, giving it a vibrant yellow color and rich aroma. Unlike biryani, Tehri is not layered but cooked together, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully. Some variations include mutton or chicken, making it a heartier meal. Tehri is a staple in Awadhi cuisine, enjoyed with raita, pickle, or yogurt, making for a comforting and wholesome dish. It is especially popular during winter when warm, spiced rice dishes are preferred.
9. Bati Chokha
Baati Chokha is a traditional dish from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, known for its rustic flavors and wholesome ingredients. It consists of Baati, which are round, baked wheat flour dumplings, and Chokha, a mashed mixture of roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant, flavored with mustard oil, garlic, and spices. The Baati is baked in a clay oven or tandoor, giving it a crispy exterior and soft interior, often soaked in ghee for extra richness. Chokha, on the other hand, is spicy and smoky, complementing the dry texture of Baati. This dish is typically served with chutney, onions, and green chilies, making for a hearty meal. Baati Chokha is deeply rooted in rural Indian cuisine, offering a simple yet flavorful experience.
10. Ras Malai
Ras Malai is a beloved Indian dessert, known for its soft, spongy texture and rich, creamy flavor. Originating from Bengal, this delicacy consists of chenna (curdled milk) dumplings, soaked in sweetened, thickened milk (rabri) infused with cardamom, saffron, and chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios. The dumplings are first boiled in sugar syrup, allowing them to absorb sweetness, before being gently simmered in the aromatic milk mixture. The result is a melt-in-the-mouth dessert, enjoyed chilled and often garnished with rose petals or silver leaf for an elegant touch. Ras Malai is a staple at festivals, weddings, and celebrations, symbolizing indulgence and joy. Whether homemade or bought from a sweet shop, its delicate balance of flavors and textures makes it a favorite across India.