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Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Lucknow, is second to none, be it the impressive skyline or the glorious past, but what adds more charm to the city is its delightful array of street food that brings joy to both residents and travellers. The streets of Lucknow are heaven where every food lover is welcome to enjoy a variety of famous street food in Lucknow with the aroma of spices and grilled meat everywhere in the city. The complexity of flavours is also reflected in every taste and is bound to be cherished by all food enthusiasts.
Famous Street Food In Lucknow
Let’s explore some famous street foods in Lucknow to make your culinary experience in this vibrant city as memorable as possible.
1. Awadhi Biryani
Photo: Umesh Tongbra / Wikimedia Commons
Awadhi Biryani, or Lucknowi Biryani, in simple terms, is a brilliant representation of the art of cooking as seen in Awadh regions. This recipe has a delicate taste and scented fragrance due to the Dum Pukht technique of cooking, which means cooking marinated meat and half-boiled rice in a pot that is sealed from all ends. Generally, people use chicken or mutton for making the biryani, which consists of long-grain basmati rice, yoghurt-fried onions, saffron and a few spices such as cardamom, clove and cinnamon.
Where To Try: Idris Biryani in Chowk, Tunday Kababi in Aminabad
Approximate Price: ₹150 – 300 for two people.
2. Tunday Kebab
Photo: Lesya Dolyk / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Tunday Kebab is wedded glory in the rich taste and the softest mouth feel. These kebabs are believed to have originated in the 17th century during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah who was unable to chew and in a kebab competition made by one armless chef named Haji Murad Ali who was a winner of the royal contest of making the softest able to eat best for the appetite enthralling Wazid Ali. The term Tunday in Hindi stands for one arm, which signifies the chef about whom the story revolves.
Where To Try: Tunday Kababi in Aminabad, Naushijan Darbar in Hazratganj
Approximate Price: ₹300 for two people.
3. Basket Chaat
Photo: Pranaykuma12 / Wikimedia Commons
Basket chaat is an interesting fast food item that offers a plethora of Lucknowi tastes. The deep-fried edible basket made out of potato is the most common which is served with lots of items and raj kachori finished food is an explosion of taste in itself. Most of the time, the basket is filled with crushed tikkas, topped with onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables along with some sweet and sour chutneys like tamarind and green chutney. Last comes in a bin of yoghurt and some crunchy sev, which makes this dish a perfect snack.
Where To Try: Shukla Chaat House, Royal Café in Hazratganj
Approximate Price: ₹650 for two people.
4. Nihari
Photo: Sarkar Sayantan / Wikimedia Commons
Nihari is a traditional meat stew developed in India during the Mughals. Hence, it has traditionally been regarded as a breakfast meal. Nihari comprises meat, usually shank beef, lamb or goat, braised stewed meat doused with spices and made viscous using flour (atta). Nihari is derived from the Arabic word ‘nahar’ meaning morning, which was intended because it was traditional to eat it in the morning hours. Making Nihari is a process that takes time as it precisely requires. For that reason, it is also healed overnight together with other stews.
Where To Try: Nihari House in Chowk, Rahim’s near Akbari Gate
Approximate Price: ₹100 per plate
5. Chole Bhature
Photo: Siva301in / Wikimedia Commons
Chole Bhature is a classic North Indian preparation where spicy chickpeas (chole) are served with a type of deep-fried bread (bhature). The chickpeas are prepared in a spicy bursting flavour-filled gravy with spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala with the addition of tomatoes and onions sometimes for more flavourings The outcome is a thick and spicy-bitter gravy that is well complemented with the softest and fluffiest bhature. Bhature is prepared using wheat flour (maida) and often contains yoghurt and some baking soda in the mix which encourages the bread to puff whilst being immersed in oil. The outer layer of the soft cooked bhature is crunchy and crispy whilst the soft inner regions are full of air, providing satisfaction with every bite.
Where To Try: Sardar Ke Chole Bhature, located in the bustling area of Aminabad, Babu Ram’s Chole Bhature in Hazratganj
Approximate Price: ₹50 – 100 per plate.
6. Kachori
Photo: Rajeeb Dutta / Wikimedia Commons
Kachori is a deep-fried spiced snack originating from the Marwar area of Rajasthani cuisine. Small round discs of dough are rolled out, a flavorful mixture is placed in the centre of the disc, and then the disc is deep-fried until crisp and golden. One of these has a crispy shell and a spicy delicacy inside. Such a snack can be relished any time of the day. Kachoris are usually accompanied by sharp tamarind chutney or hot green chutney to enhance their taste with additional flavours. Variations such as Pyaaz Kachori (stuffed with onions) and Dal Kachori (stuffed with lentils) are especially widespread in Northern India.
Where To Try: Chhappan Bhog, Bajpayee Kachori Bhandar in Hazratganj
Approximate Price: ₹200 for two people.
7. Kulfi Faluda
Photo: binamg / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
On a hot summer afternoon, nothing soothes the palate more than a bowl of sweet delicate rich creamy kulfi faluda. Not only does this classic Indian dish feature kulfi ice cream as its primary component but also the authentic Indian dessert comes with chewy falooda, sweet basil seeds, and rose syrup. The consistency and flavour of the kulfi pudding come from the use of thick condensed milk that is infused with spices such as cardamom and saffron. The bright white falooda noodles, which are usually made using either cornstarch or wheat flour, offer a delightful chewiness to the dessert.
Where To Try: Royal Café in Hazratganj, Prakash Kulfi in Aminabad
Approximate Price: ₹120 (half) and ₹60 (full).
8. Malai Makhan
Photo: Sumit Surai / Wikimedia Commons
When Winter comes, everybody craves something sweet and delicious as we do with Malai Makhan or Nimish. This Indian dessert is prepared with hand-whisked cream turned upside down, in a sense, to form a creamy delicacy. Usually, the flavours of dessert comprise useful spices such as cardamom or saffron for the tempered sweetness of the dessert. The dessert, Malai Makhan is also garnished with finely grounded pistachios and in some cases, decorated with Silver foil which is very edible and eye tempting also offers a delightful melting experience.
Where To Try: Baba Malaiyyo, bustling streets near Gol Darwaza in Chowk
Approximate Price: ₹50 – ₹200 per serving
9. Pani Puri
Photo: Teena Sometimes / Wikimedia Commons
Pani Puri is one of the many revered Indian snacks that go by varied regional names such as Golgappa/Puchka. Pani Puri is a very popular snack that gives a treat for the senses due to a variety of textures and tastes. It consists of small round hollow puris which are deep-fried made of semolina or wheat flour. Each puri has a stuffing of mashed potatoes, chickpeas with onions mixed to a spicy blend and, finally, topped with tamarind and mint water spiced even further with other spices. What is even more appealing about Pani Puri is that the diners play a part in creating the dish.
Where To Try: Royal Café, Shukla Chaat House in Hazratganj
Approximate Price: ₹30 for six pieces.
10. Sheermal
Photo: Rodrick rajive lal / Wikimedia Commons
Sheermal refers to saffron-flavoured flatbread of Persian origin that has found its place in Awadhi dining. This mildly sweet bread is made with a refined form of flour known as maida which is yeast fermented to create the leavened bread. The ghee and warm milk enrich the dough, which is also flavoured with cardamom and saffron to impart a distinctive smell and yellow colour. Originally prepared in a tandoor, Sheermal is also made in the oven nowadays. It is often topped with sesame seeds or slivered almonds to make it more appealing.
Where To Try: Ali Hussain Sheermal, located in Sheermal Wali Gali, Tunday Kababi
Approximate Price: ₹30 – ₹60 per piece
Exploring the famous street food in Lucknow is not simply about yummy foods but getting lost in the city’s culture and heritage. Every bite encapsulates a story of history and gastronomy; art perfected over the years. For the tourists travelling to Lucknow, enjoying its street foods is an obligatory part of the overwhelming experience of this beautiful city. Curbing your appetite while surrounding yourself in a fuss-free environment – whether or not you are reinforced by the presence of busy days of open street markets, plan your trip with TripXL and savour the street food of Lucknow which will create a memorable imprint in your food binge exploration.
Cover Photo: Indian Food Images / shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
