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Mouth-watering kebabs, aromatic biryani, and fluffy, ethereal desserts.

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has forever been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and tourists alike swearing by its remarkable cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

Last month, UNESCO honored it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – adding it to a prestigious group of world cities and igniting hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's exceptional food. With this status, it joins a worldwide network of more than four hundred cities across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "creativity as a key factor of development that sustains urban life".

The recognition "demonstrates its profound culinary traditions and lively culinary scene," as noted by a official from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is only the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to earn a spot in this highly sought-after list of seventy urban centers internationally.

A City Defined by Food

The honor for this venerable city comes as no surprise to its inhabitants or avid food lovers. Many agree with the sentiment that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO accolade, this adored, lively, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's largest state – is now in the spotlight for what has always defined its soul: an immense devotion for food.

"'The day's menu, how will it be cooked' is a constant dialogue from waking up until going to bed in most homes," states a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the quality of food that comes out of your kitchen."

A Heritage of Nawabi Cuisine

The City of Nawabs – as it's widely known after its 18th and 19th Century affluent Muslim rulers – is renowned for its succulent kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were created, evolved, and taken to extraordinary levels in their opulent kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were centers of culinary innovations, fusing Iranian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were fashioned. As the tale is told that the galouti kebab was created to feed an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His chefs processed the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so soft that it required no chewing.

But arguably the most significant contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, leisurely heat, with the container's cover tightly sealed with a flour paste.

A Diverse Culinary Landscape

Besides the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also built up a repertoire of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a decadent bread pudding).

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

The local traditionally vegetarian community's cuisine doesn't just celebrates seasonal produce but also provides the city its meticulously prepared Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – zesty fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Almost on every corner, there are small establishments and carts – little-known gems that are wildly popular with the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, huge crowds start milling around from the crack of dawn at a famous tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, served in kulhads, along with pillowy soft buns lathered with freshly churned white butter.

To start the day, one can make their way to a simple joint situated in the old city area of Aminabad. Nearly 150 years after it was established, the place is still in great demand for its freshly fried kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also boasts remarkable seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert available in the winter. The process of making it is intricate and involved. The artisan whisks the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its amazing light consistency.

On chilly mornings, street vendors line up in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Many however note that their children are reluctant to take up the craft.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's immense food legacy places it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will materialize only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its under-the-radar eateries.

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

The worldwide honor, it is believed, will encourage more people worldwide to learn these stories and visit the city to savour the culinary delights of Lucknow.