Famous Food Items of Uttar Pradesh (UP) That Are a Must-try!

The biggest state in India by population, Uttar Pradesh or UP is every food lover’s paradise. No matter what your food preference is, the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh offers a wide variety of dishes to tantalise your palate. 

From street food to rich Awadhi cuisine, there are many famous foods of Uttar Pradesh (UP) you must try. If you are a first-time visitor and want to taste the best food in Uttar Pradesh, here are our suggestions. 

Famous Dishes of Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Here is a list of the famous Uttar Pradesh food for you to relish.

Vegetarian Delights:

1. Baati Chokha
2. Tehri
3. Bhindi Ka Salan
4. Benarsi Ghugni
5. Aloo Badi Rasedar
6. Paneer Pasanda

Meat Delicacies:

1. Biryani (Lucknowi or Awadhi Biryani)
2. Kebab Paratha
3. Galouti Kebabs
4. Pasanday
5. Awadhi Gosht Korma
6. Tunday Kebab
7. Kulcha-Nihari
8. Nargisi Kofta
9. Kakori Kebab
10. Boti Kebab

Scrumptious Sweets:

1. Pedha
2. Petha
3. Malpua
4. Balushahi
5. Sheermal
6. Makhan Malai
7. Kurchan

Famous Food of Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Vegetarian Delights 

UP is a culturally diverse state, and it is natural that different communities that have been living in the land have had a massive influence on the local cuisine. You will be delighted to see the endless varieties of vegetarian Uttar Pradeshi Dishes you can relish.  

Baati Chokha 

One of the most liked vegetarian dishes from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Baati Choka is a wholesome meal that you can have for lunch or dinner. Simple and heart-warming as it is, it is also extremely tasty and healthy, and just the aroma of it is sure to make you drool. 

The baati is a wheat cake that is baked in a mud oven and the chokha is a vegetable gravy made of mashed potatoes, tomatoes, onions, eggplant, and spices. It is served with a generous amount of desi ghee, which makes the dish rich and adds another layer of taste. Baati Chokha is the most delicious vegetarian food of Uttar Pradesh.

Tehri 

Tehri is a rice preparation that is somewhere between a pulao and biryani. It is one of the famous dishes of UP, and you can find it almost all over the state. The dish is made from the finest Basmati rice, which has a beautiful aroma, and it is cooked with an assortment of vegetables, and whole and grounded spices, which gives it an irresistible flavour.

Bhindi Ka Salan 

Bhindi is Okra or Lady Fingers and salan is basically a curry. This food of Uttar Pradesh is a tangy yoghurt-based curry that comes from the Awadh region and is the perfect example of delicious food. 

The dish is seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, offering a delightful taste. Bhindi Ka Salan is often garnished with fresh coriander and pairs well with naan or rice.

It is spicy, it is oily, it is creamy and thick, but Bhindi Ka Salan will make you want more for sure.

Benarsi Ghugni

Ghugni is indeed a popular and delicious chickpea curry that is enjoyed across Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and Bihar, with each region putting its own unique twist on the recipe. Benaras, also known as Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, has its version of Ghugni that adds its own local flavours and spices to the dish.

The Benaras-style Ghugni is a delightful blend of spices and textures that makes it a beloved dish in the region and beyond. This famous Uttar Pradesh food is not only rich in protein but also incredibly delicious, making it a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Aloo Badi Rasedar

Aloo Badi Rasedar is a tasty dish from Uttar Pradesh. It features tender potatoes and sun-dried lentil dumplings (badi) cooked in a spiced tomato-based gravy. 

The sun-dried lentil dumplings add a unique texture and taste to the dish. The gravy is prepared by sautéing onions, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices, creating a rich and savoury base. The potatoes and lentil dumplings are then added to the gravy, allowing them to absorb the delicious flavours.

The food of Uttar Pradesh offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes, making it a popular choice among vegetarians in the region.

Paneer Pasanda 

A true gem in Mughlai and Awadhi cuisines, this creamy delight features paneer slices stuffed with grated paneer, chopped nuts, raisins, and mild spices. After a light fry for a crisp exterior, they take a luxurious dip in a gravy made of onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and cashew or almond paste. A sprinkle of aromatic spices and a touch of cream or yoghurt later gives you a velvety, flavour-packed treat. Best enjoyed with rice, naan, or paratha, Paneer Pasanda is an absolute favourite amongst the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh.

Meat delicacies 

From the most delicious biryanis to kebabs, you can find a plethora of lip-smacking non-vegetarian Uttar Pradeshi Dishes. 

Biryani 

If there was ever a king of food, Biryani would be the undisputed emperor. Food lover or not, it would be a crime to say no to a Lucknowi or Awadhi Biryani, which is the most famous dish of Uttar Pradesh. It is a rice preparation where the basmati rice is cooked with marinated meat and spices in the dum pukht style, which involves sealing the vessel on the sides with a dough and cooking on low flame for a few hours.

Kebab Paratha 

Kebabs are a renowned part of the food of Uttar Pradesh, and obviously, the Kebab Paratha is considered a famous dish. Today, you can find plenty of street vendors selling the dish all over UP. The dish looks appetising, and it tastes even better. It is made of Kebab, i.e., meatballs that are grilled over charcoal, and rolled into a paratha. It is usually served with green chutney and sliced onions.

Galouti Kebabs 

Speaking of Uttar Pradesh food, you cannot possibly leave out Galouti Kebabs. Most popular in the ‘land of Nawabs’, Lucknow, these kebabs are minced meat that is mixed with an array of spices. As the meat is cooked, the aroma itself will make you crave it, and a single bite will take you to food heaven.  

The speciality of this dish is that the meat is cooked to perfection. It is soft, juicy, succulent, and literally melts in your mouth. It is a treat to your taste buds, and when you are in Uttar Pradesh, you must have it. 

Pasanday

Pasanday is a delectable, non-vegetarian, famous Uttar Pradesh food that consists of tender and marinated pieces of mutton, cooked in a rich and aromatic gravy. The meat is marinated with yoghurt and a variety of spices before being slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a dish that is succulent and tasty. Pasanday is a cherished culinary delight and is often served on special occasions and festivities.

Awadhi Gosht Korma

Awadhi Gosht Korma is a regal and indulgent dish from Uttar Pradesh,known for its rich flavours and tender meat. This classic Awadhi preparation involves slow-cooking succulent pieces of mutton in a luscious blend of yogurt, cream, and a myriad of aromatic spices. The dish boasts a creamy and velvety texture, elevated by the use of saffron and aromatic rose water. Awadhi Gosht Korma is a true culinary delight that exemplifies the royal heritage of the region.

Awadhi Gosht Korma is a regal and indulgent dish from Uttar Pradesh, known for its rich flavours and tender meat. This classic Awadhi preparation involves slow-cooking succulent pieces of mutton in a luscious blend of yoghurt, cream, and a myriad of aromatic spices. The dish boasts a creamy and velvety texture, elevated by the use of saffron and aromatic rose water. Awadhi Gosht Korma is a true culinary delight that exemplifies the royal heritage of the region.

Tunday Kebab

The tender Tunday kebabs from Lucknow are famous for their delicious, melt-in-your-mouth taste. Made with lamb or buffalo meat and a blend of over 100 spices, these kebabs have a unique flavour. The story of Tunday Kebab goes back to the 17th century when the ageing Nawab, unable to chew well, wanted a kebab that would melt in his mouth. To find the perfect kebab, he organized a cooking contest. Chef Hajid Murad Ali succeeded in creating the kebab that won the Nawab's heart with its outstanding taste. This food of Uttar Pradesh offers a taste of history with lip-smacking flavours.

Kulcha-Nihari 

Soft, fluffy paratha paired with a flavourful meat gravy, typically made with mutton or chicken; tempting right? This Uttar Pradesh food is considered authentic Lucknowi comfort food, enjoyed by locals and anyone seeking a new favourite dish.

The meat gravy is the star of the dish. It is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the meat to become tender and infused with the spices. The dish is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a reflection of Lucknow's culinary heritage.

Nargisi Kofta

Nargisi Kofta is a Ramadan speciality featuring mutton-stuffed eggs deep-fried to perfection. The accompanying gravy, a blend of tomato puree, dry fruit paste, and caramelized onions, adds a unique and rich flavour. Traditionally prepared during Ramadan and Iftar, this dish is a culinary masterpiece. The mutton-stuffed eggs offer a delightful twist, complemented by the tanginess of tomatoes, the sweetness of dry fruits, and the savoury notes of caramelized onions. With its visually appealing presentation and a burst of complex flavours, Nargisi Kofta is a must-try from the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh.

Kakori Kebab

It is a taste sensation from Kakori near Lucknow. It's a part of the famous Awadhi cuisine, known for its rich flavours and tender meats. Made with finely minced lamb or goat meat, the kebabs are marinated with spices, yoghurt, and ingredients like ginger, garlic, and cashew or almond paste. The meat is ground to a silky texture, moulded onto skewers, and grilled or cooked in a traditional clay oven. Best enjoyed hot with mint-cilantro chutney, onions, and naan, Kakori Kebab is a popular and flavourful choice among the food of Uttar Pradesh.

Boti Kebab

It's crafted from juicy marinated meat chunks, usually lamb or goat, threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection in a tandoor. The magic happens in the marinade, a mix of yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and spices. After a good soak, it's grilled to smoky, charred perfection outside while staying tender inside. Served hot with mint-cilantro chutney, onions, and a splash of lemon juice, it's a go-to for kebab lovers and a delicious feast with naan or roti.

Scrumptious Sweets 

If you have a sweet tooth, the sweet food of Uttar Pradesh will satiate your cravings to the fullest. Like the biryanis, kebabs and curries, the sweets of Uttar Pradesh are legendary, and immensely popular.

Pedha 

Mathura is not just known for its Krishna temple, but also for its Pedha. This sweet is made from mawa, and has a subtle cardamom or saffron flavour. It is soft, delicious and a delight to eat. Pedha is the most famous food of Uttar Pradesh, loved by people all over the country. 

Petha 

Another famous sweet food of Uttar Pradesh, Petha, is popular all over India. It comes from the ‘land of Taj Mahal’, Agra. Made of white pumpkin or wax gourd, the pumpkin is cut into big pieces, and soaked in water for two to three days, before cooking it in sugar syrup, which can be flavoured with chocolate, saffron, etc.

Malpua 

A traditional food of Uttar Pradesh, Malpua looks like puri, and is made of maida (all-purpose flour). The puri is deep-fried, and soaked in cardamom and saffron-flavoured sugar syrup, and garnished with finely chopped nuts. The refreshing taste and the aroma will make your day. While Malpua itself is rich and decadent, you can have it with Rabdi.  

Balushahi

Balushahi is a delightful, sweet treat originating from Uttar Pradesh. These deep-fried pastries are made from a soft, flaky dough, fried until golden brown and then soaked in sugar syrup, imparting a luscious sweetness. 

This famous Uttar Pradesh food is often garnished with chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds, adding a delightful crunch to its melt-in-your-mouth texture. This traditional delicacy is cherished across the region and commonly enjoyed during festivals, celebrations, or as a delectable dessert after a savoury meal.

Sheermal

Sheermal is a beloved sweet naan from Lucknow, known for its flaky texture and delightful sweetness. Its roots trace back to Iran, introduced to northern India by the Persian empire. Lucknow, famed for its Awadhi cuisine, has put its own spin on Sheermal.

This dessert, generously slathered with butter and honey, has become a staple in Lucknow's culinary scene. Traditionally, Sheermal accompanies savoury dishes like kebabs, offering a sweet contrast to the meal.

Makhan Malai

Also known as Nimish or Daulat Ki Chaat, this is a heavenly dessert hailing from North India, and a well-known dish from the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh. This treat is crafted from fresh milk cream, whipped and aerated overnight for a light, frothy texture. Saffron-infused milk, sugar, and a hint of cardamom are added for a delightful taste and aroma.

Traditionally enjoyed in winter, street vendors skillfully serve Makhan Malai in clay pots, often adorned with almonds, pistachios, and a touch of silver leaf. The result is a cloud-like dessert that melts in the mouth, leaving behind a divine flavour.

Kurchan

Khurchan is made by boiling and reducing milk until it forms creamy layers. The name comes from scraping off these layers from the pan's sides. Popular during celebrations involves repeating this scraping until a thick mixture forms. Sugar, cardamom, and saffron are added for flavour. The result is a fudgy and aromatic delight. Served in small portions with nuts and silver leaf, Khurchan shows how simple ingredients like milk can be transformed into a delicious dessert.

Get the taste of authentic Uttar Pradesh cuisine at Club Mahindra Resort 

If you are visiting Agra in Uttar Pradesh to see the magnificent mausoleum, Taj Mahal, you can book your stay at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, one of the best resorts in Agra hosted by Club Mahindra and enjoy traditional food of Uttar Pradesh (UP). 

After visiting the iconic Taj Mahal and exploring other wonders of the Mughal Era like Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, you can relish a delicious meal at the resort featuring the finest dishes of Uttar Pradesh, from Kebabs to Baati Chokha. Besides, the premium amenities and the warm services will ensure that you have a memorable holiday experience.