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Uttar Pradesh, a culturally and historically important state in India, is also known for its diverse and delicious range of food, which is a true reflection of its cultural background. The best food in Uttar Pradesh is more of a painting that has different shades of tastes, aromas, and cooking methods – which simply means that it is a dream come true for an epicure. From the bustling streets of Lucknow to the serene blessed banks of the Ganges at Varanasi, every region has some delicacies that are special and delight the palate in a certain way.
Best Food In Uttar Pradesh
Let’s explore the best foods in Uttar Pradesh which are unique in consistency and contribute to the state’s rich ethnic diversity.
1. Awadhi Biryani
Photo: Umesh Tongbra / Wikimedia Commons
Awadhi Biryani, famously known as Lucknowi Biryani, is the epitome of the exquisite and regal traditions offered by the city of Nawabs – Lucknow. This flavorful dish consists of layers of basmati rice and meat marinated in a mixture of spices and yoghurt (generally chicken or mutton) prepared in a pot that is tightly sealed with a lid to retain moisture and aroma also known as “dum” cooking! The spices used in the marinade include cardamom and clove along with saffron and yoghurt making the final product very succulent.
Where To Eat: Idris Biryani, Baba Biryani in Lucknow
Price: Around ₹300 – ₹500 for a meal.
2. Galouti Kebab
Photo: Fatimahope / Wikimedia Commons
Galouti Kebab is said to be one of the most famous dishes of Lucknow that also happens to have the most delectable taste that ‘melts in the mouth’ aka ‘Ghaloti Kebab’. The kebabs are believed to have been invented in the 18th century during Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula’s rule when this Nawab, who adored kebabs, lost all his teeth. The word “Galouti” is borrowed from Urdu which means ‘attached to nothing’; quaintly enough, the attachment is to the food itself, the softness of the kebab. Kebab batter is also known to have raw papaya in it to make the kebabs soft and tender.
Where To Eat: Dastarkhwan in Hazratganj, Tunday Kababi in Aminabad
Price: Approximately ₹200 – ₹300 for a plate.
3. Batti Chokha
Photo: AmanAgrahari01 / Wikimedia Commons
Batti Chokha is a native food of the Bhojpuri area of India and is mostly found in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It has two main parts: batti which are hard small round pieces of baked unshaped wheat, also known as chapati and chokha which is mostly a spicy mash of roasted vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes. The batter is baked in a tandoor oven or externally over burning coal to cook it on its surface only leaving the inner part soft, whereas chokha is made by roasting the vegetables and burning them over an open flame and then mixing them with herbs and spices to give a smokey mash.
Where To Eat: Chokha Dhani in Lucknow, Bihari Chaat Corner in Varanasi
Price: About ₹50 – ₹100 per serving.
4. Tehri
Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons
Tehri is a popular vegetarian recipe in the state of Uttar Pradesh known for its ease of preparation and outstanding taste. It is often described as a cross between biryani and pulao, made with steamed yellow rice with vegetable retention and enhancement of flavours like cauliflower, carrot, peas and papas in the close season. The dish is further enhanced by warm seasoning agents such as cumin and turmeric which also adorn the dish with its rich colors.
Where To Eat: Hajrat Biryani, Baba Biryani in Lucknow
Price: Around ₹600 – ₹800 for a full serving
5. Nargisi Kofta
Photo: Rashmeet Kaur / Wikimedia Commons
Nargisi Kofta is one of those ghee-drenched Mughlai masterpieces that India can be proud of. This amazing dish contains hard-boiled eggs wrapped up in a spiced mixture of minced meat which is usually made of lamb or beef. These meat dumplings are then deep-fried and served with a rich gravy containing tomatoes, onions and other spices. Named after the flower Nargis, this dish has a kofta shaped like the petals of a Nargis flower when cut for serving.
Where To Eat: Dastarkhwan, Idris Biryani
6. Murgh Musallam
Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons
Murgh Musallam is a time-honoured avian dish that brings home the essence of royal Mughal cooking with precision as it envelops a spicy blend of a whole stuffed chicken with boiled eggs and rich commodity. The definition of this word is ‘whole chicken’ and this requires no understanding as this course has been present for a long even within the confines of the Mughal courts. As always, the process of cooking a chicken Murgh Musallam begins with marinating the whole bird in yoghurt for several hours allowing the meat to become soft and juicy when cooked.
Where To Eat: Dastarkhwan, Tunday Kababi
Price: Approximately ₹100 – ₹150 per plate.
7. Makhan Malai
Photo: Sumit Surai / Wikimedia Commons
Makhan Malai, which is also popularly referred to as Nimish, is a winter delicacy that is light, creamy, and airy. The dessert is mainly found in Uttar Pradesh where cultivating sweet dishes has been an art from ancient days. This is a winter seasonal dish, maturing it in the relatively cooler months, using the early dawn dew which helps achieve the overall lightness expected. The dish is prepared by boiling fresh milk and cooling it overnight. Most flavours comprise cardamom, saffron and the finishing nuts are usually assorted pistachio or almonds making it rich but light at the same time.
Where To Eat: Chowk in Lucknow
Price: ₹50 to ₹100 per serving
8. Malpua
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Malpua is an Indian sweet dish that is part and parcel of every Indian’s great festival, especially, Holi and Diwali. In other words, they are very scrumptious round pancakes prepared from a smooth batter made up of maida, sugar and milk without omitting cardamom and fennel seeds. Then the batter is poured for shallow frying until the colour turns golden brown making the outside crispy and the inside soft and cakes fluffy. The pancakes are also served with a thick creamy dessert, Rabri, which is made from specially prepared milk and goes well with the pancakes.
Where To Eat: Bikanervala or Haldiram’s
Price: About ₹50 – ₹100 per plate.
9. Zamin Doz Machhli
Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons
Uttar Pradesh’s cultural and culinary diversity is emphasised by the regional fish preparation Zamindoz Machchli. In this dish, a whole fish, mainly sole or rohu, is prepared by stirring up a blend of spices, mainly ginger and garlic paste, turmeric and red chilli powder. After spices are applied to the fish, it’s cooked by the so-called ‘dum’ method, which implies that a special earthen pot is used for cooking the dish in low flame heat for a prolonged period. This technique enables the fish to take in all the scents without losing its juiciness.
Where To Eat: Dastarkhwan
Price: About ₹600 – ₹1,200 for a serving.
10. Aloo Rasedar
Photo: Vivekprasad97 / Wikimedia Commons
Although Aloo Rasedaar finds its origins in the northern state of India, it is enjoyed by everyone thanks to its simple and delightful potato-based curry. This dish contains soft-cooked pieces of potato coated with a spicy and sour tomato-ginger sauce, which makes it ideal for serving with Indian bread like puris, rotis or parathas. The curry which is dum aloo is further enriched with other spice mixes which include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and a dash of amchur for sourness in mango powder too.
Where To Eat: Haldiram’s, Chaat Gali in Lucknow
Price: ₹100 – ₹150 for a serving
Uttar Pradesh cuisines come with a high degree of variety and richness, thus providing an excellent food experience. Be it a roadside eatery or a royal palace, the history of every cuisine is deeply rooted in the culture of the state, with very few exceptions. From the sizzling kebabs of Lucknow to the delicate sweets of Agra, the best food in Uttar Pradesh will make you go on a binge even days after you come back. Plan your visit with TripXL and ensure to taste these dishes in whichever part of this glorious state you are.
Cover Photo: Nilofar Kalam / Wikimedia Commons
