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Mouth-watering kebabs, scented biryani, and fluffy, cloud-like desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has consistently been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and visitors equally swearing by its remarkable cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

In a recent announcement, UNESCO honored it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – adding it to a exclusive group of international urban centers and igniting hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this designation, it joins a international community of over 400 cities across over 100 countries committed to promoting "artistic expression as a key factor of city development that is sustainable".

The honor "stands as proof of its deep-rooted gastronomic legacy and dynamic culinary scene," according to a spokesperson from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is merely the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to earn a spot in this coveted list of seventy urban centers around the world.

A City Defined by Food

The recognition for this historic city is little surprise to its locals or avid food lovers. Many agree with the view that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO recognition, this cherished, lively, and eclectic city – the capital of India's biggest state – is at last in the spotlight for what has always shaped its heart: an unparalleled passion for food.

"'What will be cooked, the method of preparation' is a continued discussion from morning until going to bed in most homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are actually judged by the excellence of food that is produced in your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The City of Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th-century wealthy Muslim rulers – is noted for its tender kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were invented, perfected, and taken to exquisite levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were hubs of food experimentation, fusing Iranian and indigenous Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

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

But perhaps the most significant contribution of the cooks of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, leisurely heat, with the pot's lid tightly sealed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

In addition to the famous kebabs and biryani, the cooks also built up a repertoire 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 additionally a haven for vegetarians.

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

Time-Tested Food Joints

Virtually on every corner, there are small establishments and stalls – lesser-known gems that are wildly loved by the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, throngs of people start gathering from 5 am at a legendary tea stall to get a piping hot cup of milky masala chai, served in earthenware cups, along with pillowy soft buns slathered with hand-churned white butter.

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

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also offers special treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert savored in the winter. The technique of making it is precise and complicated. The cook beats the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its amazing airy feel.

On chilly mornings, street vendors can be seen in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Many however note that their children are unwilling to learn the skill.

A renowned chef from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's rich food legacy positions 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 build recognition about its hidden eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow has a narrative – shaped by family-run food businesses, from humble street carts to bustling restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The international acclaim, it is anticipated, will inspire more people globally to learn these tales and experience the city to taste the food wonders of Lucknow.