Must-Try Dishes from Uttar Pradesh Cuisine

Uttar Pradesh is considered a cultural epicentre of India due to its monuments as well as religious sites, however, the state is also known for its rich and diverse culinary heritage. The cuisine of Uttar Pradesh is a blend of indulgent Mughlai and traditional Indian flavours, where each dish has a story to tell regarding the local culture and history. From royal Awadhi delicacies to hearty street food, the UP famous food has been enticing food lovers from all parts of the world.

In this blog, we aim to answer the query of what the famous food of Uttar Pradesh is and peel back the signature dishes that should be relished at least once in a lifetime

Awadhi Biryani: A Royal Treat

No one can discuss the Uttar Pradesh food without remembering Awadhi Biryani, which epitomises grandeur from the Nawabi era. This biryani, which originated from Lucknow, is prepared by slow cooking marinated meat, fragrant Basmati rice, saffron, and a mix of whole spices in layers. In contrast to its Hyderabadi counterpart, Awadhi Biryani employs the Dum Pukht (slow oven) technique to add spice, which makes it aromatic and deeply flavourful.

For people asking what the famous food of Uttar Pradesh is, the name of Awadhi Biryani comes to the fore as it is known for its exotic taste and sumptuous visuals.

Tunday Kabab: Minced Meat Marvel

Indisputably, one more famous foods of Uttar Pradesh, which became a cultural phenomenon, is the Tunday Kabab, which is known to melt in your mouth. These kababs, made with minced buffalo meat and more than a hundred spices, were created specifically for an elderly Nawab who had no teeth. The dish’s name comes from the one-armed chef (‘Tunday’) who perfected the recipe.

Tunday Kabab from Lucknow is served with roomali roti or paratha, and is considered an exquisite dish in the famous dishes of Uttar Pradesh.

Aloo Tikki and Chaat: Street Food Staples

No collection of UP’s famous food is complete without including the spicy and tangy chaat varieties originating from Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur. One of the most adored street foods all over Uttar Pradesh is Aloo Tikki, which includes curd and tamarind chutney served on top of crispy potato patties.

Every single form of Chaat, whether it is papdi chaat, dahi bhalla, or basket chaat, showcases the colourful diversity of flavours in Uttar Pradesh food culture. These delicacies, which are low-cost, showcase the state’s affection for bold flavours.

Galouti Kabab: A Gourmet Delight

A royal delicacy of Uttar Pradesh cuisine is Galouti Kababs, which is very similar to Tunday Kababs. These kababs are prepared with raw papaya and finely minced meat, which is tenderised. Sophisticated Awadhi culinary memory mastery propels this dish, served with thinly sliced Ulte Tawwe ka paratha kababs that Galouti kababs literally are tendon kababs that dissolve at the tip of your tongue.

Among meat connoisseurs, these delicacies that speak about the refinement of the famous food of Uttar Pradesh are awarded accolades.

Baati Chokha: Rustic and Wholesome

Coming from Ballia and Varanasi in the eastern parts of Baati Chokha, roasted wheat ball delicacy served with mashed and spiced potato or eggplant, is the signature dish. Chokha is what people in these areas call Baati Chokha. It is hearty and delicious when drizzled with desi ghee

Although not globally popular like biryani or kabab, from the viewpoint of traditional enthusiasts and vegetarian lovers, this undisputedly becomes the famous dish of Uttar Pradesh.

Puri-Sabzi and Kachori: Festive Breakfast Delights

In Delhi, Kachori, along with Puri Sabzi, are fried delicacies which are paired with spicy potato curry, considered the quintessential breakfast in Uttar Pradesh. Around the weekend and during festivals, streets are filled with the captivating aroma of these iconic dishes.

In places like Mathura and Allahabad, kachoris are filled with dal or peas and served with sweet and spicy tamarind chutney, representing an ambrosial treat in UP famous food in the region.

Nihari: The Breakfast Delicacy

Slow-cooked stew of beef or mutton shanks, nihari is traditionally relished for breakfast. Its warm aromas and distinct recipe bind the dish to Lucknow for many. Best enjoyed during the winters, nihari is spicy and rich in flavour and is usually accompanied with kulchas or naan, best consumed during the cold months.

Indisputably counted as a famous dish of Uttar Pradesh, nihari embraces the Mughal marvel in the local delicacies and endures popularity amongst people who tend to relish dense meaty food.

Malai Makhan: Seasonal Delight

Also known as Nimish, Malai Makhan is a type of dessert prepared using milk cream, sugar and saffron that can be found in Lucknow as well as Kanpur during winter. Softer during its winter appearance, this dessert is frothy and fluffy, making it a staple sweet during the cold months.

Alongside serving as one of the most distinctive desserts of the famous food of Uttar Pradesh, Malai Makhan sipped through a glass will, without a doubt, tantalise the taste buds as it dissipates in the mouth, covering it in a warm embrace of saffron, cardamom, and sugar.

Pedha from Mathura & Balushahi from Varanasi

In terms of sweets, Mathura Pedha absolutely takes the cake in Uttar Pradesh food. This delicacy, done in the holy city of Mathura, is hardened with sugar, and Pedha is made with khoya (which is basically reduced milk).

Balushahi is a flaky and syrupy dessert from Varanasi, which is bathed in syrup and is often compared to glazed doughnuts, but zest and divine in taste and feel. Both are fundamental to rituals and festivals and serve the purpose of adding sweetness to UP’s famous food.

Tehri: The Vegetarian Biryani

In vegetarian dish comparisons, Tehri is always noted, contains rice, potatoes, carrots, peas and spice mix, describing it as vegetarian biryani. It can be noticed that Tehri is more impactful in taste and hue than pulao.

It’s a regular in the majority of UP homes and is most favoured in the eastern part. For those looking at the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh, Tehri is a completely nourishing and fragrant dish because it provides a wholesome one-pot meal.

Rogan Josh: A Meat Lover’s Dream

Kashmir is the origin of Rogan Josh, which has a second home in UP, particularly in Mughlai-influenced kitchens. The dish is a lamb curry cooked using yoghurt and ginger along with a generous amount of additional spices. It is often served during festive occasions and is part of the famous dish of Uttar Pradesh, both in fine-dining and during traditional festive feasts.

Also Read: Agra: The best city to explore local delicacies

Conclusion: A Culinary Journey Worth For Sharing

Without a doubt, indulging in royal flavours of Lucknow and having a bite of a street-side chaat in Varanasi, there’s no escaping the quintessentially famous food of Uttar Pradesh. Hefty vegetarian servings such as Baati Chokha and Tehri stand in pride of place alongside indulgent meaty treats like Galouti Kabab and Nihari. This tapestry of dishes is woven rich with legends and tales. So next time you are left pondering what is the famous food of Uttar Pradesh, give yourself the freedom to embark on a journey, one dish at a time.