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Tempting kebabs, scented biryani, and airy, cloud-like desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has forever been a dream destination for epicures, with residents and travelers alike praising its remarkable cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

Recently, UNESCO honored it as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy – adding it to a exclusive roster of global cities and sparking hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's peerless food. With this status, it becomes part of a worldwide network of cities urban centers across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "artistic expression as a driver of development that sustains urban life".

The honor "demonstrates its deep-rooted food heritage and lively food ecosystem," as stated by a spokesperson from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to secure a position in this coveted list of 70 global destinations internationally.

A City Defined by Food

The accolade for this venerable city is hardly a shock to its locals or dedicated food lovers. Many share the view that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO accolade, this beloved, lively, and eclectic city – the capital of India's most populous state – is finally in the limelight for what has consistently defined its soul: an profound passion for food.

"'What will be cooked, how will it be cooked' is a ongoing conversation from morning until night in many homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are often assessed by the standard of food that emerges from your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The Nawabi City – as it's often referred to after its historic wealthy Muslim rulers – is renowned for its succulent kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were invented, evolved, and elevated to extraordinary levels in their royal kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were epicenters of food experimentation, merging Iranian and indigenous Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's renowned kebabs were developed. As the tale is told that the mutton galouti was devised to cater to an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth. His cooks ground the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so silky that it required no chewing.

But perhaps the greatest contribution of the cooks 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

In addition to the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also built up a vast array of dishes that included kormas (creamy curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a rich 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 doesn't just highlights fresh harvests but also gives the city its meticulously prepared Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – zesty fried snacks.

Time-Tested Food Joints

Virtually on every corner, there are little shops and stalls – hidden treasures that are extremely favored by the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, large gatherings start gathering from 5 am at a legendary tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in kulhads, along with fluffy buns covered in hand-churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can visit a unpretentious joint operating in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was set up, the place is still much sought-after for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Safeguarding a Culinary Heritage

The city also boasts special treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert found in the winter. The process of making it is intricate and demanding. The artisan whisks the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible light consistency.

On chilly mornings, street vendors line up in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Some but say that their children do not want to take up the art.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's immense food legacy puts it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The true benefit from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will occur only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its under-the-radar eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow tells a story – crafted by generational food businesses, from modest street carts to bustling restaurants, and guarded family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is anticipated, will encourage more people around the world to explore these narratives and experience the city to delight in the food wonders of Lucknow.