Lucknow Food Guide

WHERE/WHAT TO EAT IN LUCKNOW!!!

 Awadh cuisine has been a topic of discussion between Lucknowities and tourists as well. It is so specific in style, so important and so tasty that we sometimes forget other attractions of Lucknow. In fact, credit goes to the then Nawabs of Lucknow. They took the initiative to make life more interesting and full of taste. Dumpukht (light prolonged cooking style) was the innovation of Nawabs. You can relish these in Dum Biryani, Dum Mutton, Dum Aloo and Dum Murg and rice items particularly Noor Pulav, Moti Pulav etc. Seermal is somewhat quite different from the other cities of India. If you are visiting Lucknow, do not forget to enjoy Lucknow specialities - Tunday Kabab, Rahim ke Nihari Kulche, Sharma Ji ki Chat, Raja ki Thandai, Bismillah Ki Biryani, Radhey Ki Malai Gilori, Prakash ki Kulfi, Tulsi Plaza Biryanai, Raja Bazaar's Kapurkand, Makhan Malai, Tatpatti Ki Rabri - located in Yahiyaganj, Babulal's Khasta-Kachaudi - Located in Aishbagh, Netram's Jalebi and Imarti and Madhurima (Kabra vali Dukan-Aminabad) and Mushtaq Miyan - near Press Club or Wahid Biryani are  well known names in biryani world of Lucknow.

 HAZRATGANJ - A narrow lane between Tulsi Theater and Press Club in Hazratganj is a perfect place in Lucknow where you can relish varieties of Lucknow food specialties in a number of non-veg restaurants. Just adjacent to high rise- Gemini Continental Hotel and opposite to Laxman Park, you will love to be here in evening (Shame Awadh) and relish famous Lucknow foods at some open air restaurants viz. Dastarkhawan, Naushiyajan and many more. Lucknow specialties cannot be complete without the Sekhawat Restaurant Non veg Mughlai food near Gymkhana Club, situated near Clarks Awadh Hotel. You simply cannot miss to relish the taste of awadh food here. In Hazratganj, you can visit Air-conditioned Restaurant Moti Mahal for nice meal and snacks.

 CHOWK AND AMINABAD - The famous historical food Tunday Kabab is about 3 kms from Hazratganj in Aminabad near Nishat Cinema. You can also relish the same at a restaurant in Sahara Shopping Mall near Shah Nazaf Imambara adjacent to Carlton Hotel. In fact, the original Tunday Kabab is in old Chowk area of the city, as they claim. Now, Aminabad shop is more famous.  New shops have also come up in other areas eg. Vikas Nagar on Khurram Nagar Road near Rahim Nagar Crossing of Maha Nagar and also in Alambagh Market.

Wahid's Biryani  is also one of the most famous biryani place in Lucknow. Biryani is good - soft and particularly a bowl of tasty raita (curd dish) and fined-cooked chicken pieces.
You must relish the Prakash ki Kulfi in Aminabad. It is tasty.

RADHEY LAL'S PARAMPARA - is famous for its fluffy gulaab jamun, halwa and a number of sweet items. The shop has now extensions at Sapru Marg near Hazratganj.

MAKHAN MALAI - You may find some Vendors selling Makkhan Malai in a round shaped glass-covered carts. It is so light-weight, so soft and delicious as if you have eaten a lot but nothing. Simply a cardamom flavoured whipped cream product of Lucknow, Makhan Malai is available for sale at Gol Darwaja in Chowk area of Lucknow (behind the Bara Imambara side).

It is not understood as to how it is prepared, but Makhan Malai vendors can be seen in almost all the areas of Lucknow selling this Makhan Malai in donas (basket made of dry leaves).

 TUNDAY KABAB - You can relish and enjoy Kebab in the 100-year old Tunday Kebabi shop in Aminabad- the most famous outlet for choicest Kebabs and non-veg dishes even today.  Tunday Kebab is so named as it was the then specility of one-armed chef. This Tunday Kebab in fact incorporates about 160 spieces and it remains family secret. If you come to Lucknow, do not forget to taste this century-old Kebab. It is really tasty. In addition, you can enjoy Mutton Biryani, Zafrani Kheer, Paratha, Tandoori Chicken, Sahi Chicken Masala

Tunday Kababi - Tunday Kababi is also in Alambagh, near Chander Nagate Gate.  

Tunday Kababi

                                                              
                                                            TUNDAY KABABI

Tunde ke kabab is a dish made out of minced meat which is popular in Lucknow. It is part of Awadhi Cuisine. It is said to incorporate 160 spices. Ingredients include finely minced lamb (lamb ground), plain yogurt, garam masala, grated ginger, crushed garlic, ground cardamom, powdered cloves, melted ghee, dried mint, small onions cut into rings, vinegar, sugar, lime.

The 100-year old Tunde ke Kabab in Chowk is considered the most famous outlet for choicest Kababs till date. Tunde Kabab is so named because it was a specialty of a one-armed chef. The ingredients of the Tunde Kabab's masala, which makes the Kabab unique is a guarded secret and is prepared by the women in the family.

The origin of the kabab is narrated in the form of a story. It is said that there was once a nawab (royal family member) who loved to have kababs. However, as age caught up with him, he lost his teeth and was unable to enjoy the kababs. He apparently setup a contest to seek the softest and most succulent kababs. He said that the person who makes the kabab would henceforth enjoy royal patronage. It is believed that the secret recipe was created by Haji Murad Ali, who apparently had only one hand. In India, the slang word in Hindi used to describe a person with a hand disability is tunday. It is believed that this is the origin of the name, tunday kabab. The secret recipe apparently has 160 spices, including sandalwood. The recipe is a family secret and is passed down to the generations by the ladies of the house. Haji Murad Ali initiated a small corner shop in 1905 in the criss-crossed lanes of the Chowk area, where it is still today.

Maintaining the original taste for as long as 90 years(approx.) Mohammad Usman persuaded his father Haji Rais Ahmad to move out and start a parallel outlet in Aminabad in 1996, which is now known as The Grandsons of Tunday Kababi.

Tunday Kabab's outlets are located not only in different parts of India but also in Dubai. Information about some of the noted outlets of Tunday Kababi:

• 1. Shirmal Wali Gali, Chowk, Lucknow
• 2. Naaz Cinema Road, Aminabad, Lucknow
• 3. SaharaGanj, Lucknow
• 4. Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
• 5. Qutab Plaza Market, DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon
• 6. Indrapuram, Ghaziabad
• 7. Sector - 22, Chandigarh
• 8. KHB colony, 5th block, Koramangala, Bangalore
• 9. Civil Lines, Allahabad
• 10. Mahmoor Ganj Sigra, Varanasi 
• 11. Boring Road, Patna

Street Food

Every street in Lucknow has a row of eating joints offering you something special. Before Lucknow’s reputation as a foodie’s paradise is well known all across the country. The city welcomes you in great style with its Nawabi heritage, architectural brilliance and intoxicating mix of flavours. If you are visiting the city and you miss out on the famous Awadhi cuisine, you have an incomplete holiday in hand. Foodie or not, the city has so much to offer. From royal dishes to the yummy street food, exploring the city as a foodie is an exhilarating experience.

Here is a sneak peak of some of the local foods in Lucknow.

Khasta Kachori

One of the few delicacies found on the bustling streets of Lucknow, whipping up khasta kachori is truly an art. There are two types of Khasta, one made with desi ghee and the other made with dalda ghee. 

You must try the khasta kachori at Ratti in Hewett Road. With people thronging the small eating joint, you’ll know you are in the right places. Served with spicyaloo ki sabzi, this dish is absolutely mouth watering.

Chaat

A plateful of colours and spices. That is the first impression of the famous chaat. An appetising riot of spices and flavours, this fingerlicking snack is the saviour of many grumbling stomachs. Served all across India, chaat owes its origination to Uttar Pradesh. A mixture of boiled potatoes, crispy fried dough, peas and spicy chutneys, this Indian delicacy is found all across the country.

Indulge in a plateful of this delicious street grub and you are in for a surprise. 

Kulfi

You cannot help but close your eyes as the cold and creamy Kulfi explodes in your mouth releasing wondrous sweetness. Available in various flavours (Malai, Kesar, Pista, Rose , Elaichi and Mango) and kinds, its silky texture leaves a rich aftertaste lingering behind. It is the most popular frozen milk based dessert in India, made by thickening the milk so that its denser and creamier and then freezing it. Traditionally, Kulfi is served with Falooda (noodles/vermicelli), but you can also tryMatka Kulfi or Kulfi on a stick like an ice cream bar.

The search for the city’s tastiest kulfi will lead you to the buzzing streets of Aminabad at Prakash Kulfi. Enticing and mouthwatering, the kulfi here is simply out of the world.

, during or after long shopping and sightseeing tours, take a break for some delicious grub and replenish the much needed energy. Set out on this culinary journey for the city of Lucknow awaits.

Mughlai Touch

The cuisine of Lucknow has its own distinct individuality and identity. The traditional food of Lucknow was highly patronized by the Mughals thus giving it a very royal touch. The royal chefs and cooks were trained to give that distinct royal touch and regal look to anything they cooked. Every detail was accounted for and it was made sure that the food looked fit for the kings. A very high degree of flair and finesse was required to cook the elaborate Lucknow cuisine.

Cooking a meal for the kings required that extra flair and touch of difference and the presentation required that extra eye for detail. The style of cooking was called as Dum style. This basically means that food was cooked on low flame. This style is carried on till date. The blending of spices in the right proportion and the right way was also not easy. It is a skill that is acquired through rigorous practice and is something that was practiced by generations to come.

The most famous dishes of Lucknow are kormas, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis and warqi parathas. It is not just the ingredients that are special but also the way they are made by expert hands and the way they are presented. Just looking at an elaborate layout of Lucknow cuisine will make your mouth water. The most famous of all dishes are the Kebabs or the meatballs that come in different varieties. Some of the most famous (and delicious!) varieties of Kebabs are Kakori Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Patili-ke-Kababs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Seekh Kebabs.