🔗 Share this article

Tempting kebabs, aromatic biryani, and whipped, ethereal desserts.

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with inhabitants and tourists equally celebrating its exquisite cuisine.

A Global Honor

In a recent announcement, UNESCO recognised it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – placing it on a prestigious list of world cities and igniting hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this designation, it becomes part of a global network of more than four hundred urban centers across over 100 countries committed to promoting "artistic expression as a catalyst of city development that is sustainable".

The honor "demonstrates its centuries-old culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem," as stated by a spokesperson from UNESCO's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is only the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to find a place in this coveted list of 70 global destinations around the world.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The honor for this time-honored city comes as little surprise to its residents or dedicated food lovers. Many share the opinion that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO recognition, this beloved, lively, and vibrant city – the capital of India's biggest state – is now in the limelight for what has perennially characterized its soul: an profound devotion for food.

"'The day's menu, how will it be cooked' is a constant discussion from waking up until night in most homes," states a local cultural expert. "And you are truly judged by the standard of food that emerges from your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The City of the Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th Century wealthy Muslim rulers – is famed for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were created, perfected, and elevated to sublime levels in their opulent kitchens.

These kitchens of the nobility were hubs of gastronomic creativity, fusing Iranian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was in this era that Lucknow's renowned kebabs were fashioned. Legend has it that the galouti kebab was invented to feed an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His culinary artists minced the meat with papaya, kesar, and a blend of spices and made it so silky that it required no chewing.

But perhaps the biggest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is cooked on a low, leisurely heat, with the container's cover securely sealed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

Apart from the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also created a vast array of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a sweet bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is not just about kebabs and biryani – the region is also a vegetarian's paradise.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only celebrates fresh harvests but also provides the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Nearly on every corner, there are tiny kiosks and carts – hidden treasures that are immensely popular with the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, huge crowds start assembling from 5 am at a famous tea stall to get a piping hot cup of spiced tea with milk, presented in earthenware cups, along with incredibly soft buns covered in freshly churned white butter.

In the morning, one can make their way to a no-frills joint operating in the old city area of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was set up, the place is still highly popular for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also boasts special treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert available in the winter. The technique of making it is scientific and demanding. The cook whisks the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its unique airy feel.

On cold mornings, street vendors line up in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Many though note that their children do not want to learn the craft.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's rich food legacy puts it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will materialize only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its hidden eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow has a narrative – crafted by multi-generational food businesses, from humble street carts to bustling restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The global recognition, it is hoped, will inspire more people around the world to learn these tales and experience the city to delight in the food wonders of Lucknow.