10 Famous Food of Uttar Pradesh You Must Try Today!

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Ever taken a bite of something so good, you silently thanked the entire state it came from?

Well, that’s exactly the kind of respect Uttar Pradesh earns on your plate—because this North Indian gem knows how to serve flavour with a capital F. From Lucknow’s royal kitchens to Varanasi’s buzzing streets, every dish here brings you a slice of culture, history, and pure indulgence.

And remember that you don’t need to be a food critic to appreciate it.

Whether you crave the bold spices of a tangy chaat or the melt-in-your-mouth magic of a Galouti kebab, UP has something that’ll stay with you long after the last bite.

Here are 10 famous Uttar Pradesh cuisines that deserve a spot on your must-try list.

What Makes Uttar Pradesh a Foodie’s Paradise?

Craving something that hits like home but tastes like royalty? Uttar Pradesh has you covered. From melt-in-your-mouth kebabs to chaat that’ll make your taste buds dance, these iconic dishes are all flavour, no fuss—and 100% unforgettable. It’s a treat for your taste buds.

1. Awadhi Biryani

If biryani had a royal bloodline, Awadhi Biryani would sit on the throne.

Awadhi Biryani brings the royal kitchen to your plate with rich aromas and melt-in-the-mouth meat. It requires fragrant basmati rice, marinated chicken or mutton, saffron, ghee, and warm spices.

Recipe:

• Layer parboiled basmati rice with marinated meat in a deep pot.
• Add saffron milk, ghee, and fried onions between layers.
• Seal the lid and cook on low heat in a sealed pot for 30–40 minutes.

Lift the lid to a waft of magic—and flavours that are anything but basic. This biryani is slow-cooked love in every spoonful and paired perfectly with raita.

2. Galouti Kebab

Soft enough to melt without chewing—Galouti Kebab is pure Lucknowi luxury on a plate.

Originally made for a toothless Nawab, these kebabs are all about texture. Minced mutton is mixed with a royal blend of over 20 spices, then pan-fried to perfection.

Recipe:

• Blend minced meat with spices like cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and kewra water.
• Add roasted gram flour and raw papaya paste for binding and tenderness.
• Shape into patties and shallow-fry until golden brown on both sides.

Each bite is smoky, buttery, and packed with flavour. Serve with mint chutney and watch them vanish in seconds.

3. Banarasi Chaat

If street food had a fan club, Banarasi Chaat would be president.

This iconic dish from Uttar Pradesh is a riot of textures and flavours—crispy, creamy, tangy, and spicy all at once. Locals say if you haven’t had chaat in Varanasi, you haven’t tasted the cuisines of Uttar Pradesh.

Recipe:

• Layer crispy puris or fried papdis with boiled potatoes, curd, and tamarind chutney.
• Sprinkle chopped onions, green chutney, sev, and a dash of chaat masala.
• Top with pomegranate seeds or coriander for extra zing.

The magic lies in the balance—sweet, sour, spicy, and crunchy in every bite. This is not just a snack, it’s a full-blown flavour explosion—and a proud part of the famous cuisine of Uttar Pradesh.

4. Lucknowi Korma

Rich, aromatic, and indulgent—Lucknowi Korma happens when royalty meets comfort food.

This slow-cooked curry is a staple food of Uttar Pradesh, known for its silky texture and deep, rich flavour. Made using traditional cooking methods, the meat is braised in yoghurt, spices, fried onions, and a generous ghee or mustard oil.

Recipe:

• Sauté onions in ghee or mustard oil until golden.
• Add marinated mutton or chicken, yoghurt, and a spice mix with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Cover and cook slowly until the meat turns tender and the gravy thickens.

Often paired with naan or roomali roti, this korma isn’t only the traditional food of Uttar Pradesh​—it’s a warm hug from Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: South Indian Korma Recipes

5. Allahabadi Tehri

Think of Allahabadi Tehri as the desi cousin of vegetable pulao—but with way more attitude and spice.

This vibrant rice dish from the state of Uttar Pradesh is loaded with seasonal veggies, turmeric, and whole spices, slow-cooked to soak up every flavour. It’s a go-to comfort food across the region and a must-try among traditional dishes.

Recipe:

• Sauté cumin seeds, onions, and mixed vegetables in ghee or mustard oil.
• Add soaked basmati rice, turmeric, salt, and whole spices.
• Cook with water or stock until fluffy and aromatic.

Serve it hot with aloo ki sabzi or green chutney on the side for a homestyle meal you’ll return to.

This one’s simplicity at its finest—with a kick of nostalgia and spice.

6. Rasmalai

Soft, spongy, and swimming in sweet saffron milk—Rasmalai is a dessert that whispers luxury in every bite.

These delicate cottage cheese discs soak up thickened milk infused with cardamom, saffron, and slivered nuts, making each mouthful rich yet surprisingly light.

Recipe:

• Boil and curdle milk to make chenna, then knead and shape into discs.
• Simmer in sugar syrup briefly, then transfer to chilled saffron milk.
• Garnish with pistachios and a pinch of cardamom.

Best served cold, Rasamalai is the kind of dessert that makes silence fall at the table—everyone is too busy enjoying it.

7. Kulcha-Nihari

Warning: This combo might ruin all other breakfasts for you.

Kulcha-Nihari is not just a dish—it’s an experience. Picture melt-off-the-bone meat in a thick, spicy gravy that’s been slow-cooked till it begs you to dip something in it. And what better partner than a soft, buttery kulcha to soak it all up?

Recipe:

• Slow-cook mutton with onions, ginger-garlic paste, and warming spices for several hours.
• Let the gravy thicken into that rich, silky magic.
• Serve hot with toasted kulchas, lemon wedges, and chopped coriander.

One bite and it’s nap-time vibes. It’s heavy, hearty, and the kind of meal that deserves its own holiday.

8. Batti Chokha

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Rustic, smoky, and unapologetically desi—Baati Chokha is the heart and soul of rural Uttar Pradesh.

Baati (or Litti) is a wheat dough ball stuffed with spiced urad dal or sattu and baked until crisp outside and soft inside. Pair it with Chokha—a smoky mash of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and boiled potatoes—and you’ve got a dish that’s simple, soulful, and packed with rich flavour.

Recipe:

• Stuff dough balls with spiced sattu or urad dal mix and roast over charcoal or bake.
• For the chokha, mash roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes with mustard oil, garlic, and green chillies.
• Drizzle ghee over hot baatis and serve with chokha and pickles.

It’s bold and earthy, proving that you don’t need a fancy kitchen to create magic—just fire, flavour, and a little attitude.

9. Paneer Pasanda

Paneer Pasanda is what happens when your favourite cheese decides to dress up for a party. Think crispy paneer pockets stuffed with a rich, spiced filling, all dunked in a creamy, nutty gravy that tastes way fancier than the effort it takes.

A shining example of Uttar Pradesh’s culinary traditions and a heaven for vegetarians, you’ll often spot it alongside tandoori roti or rumali roti, especially during special occasions in Bihar, thanks to its indulgent texture and mild garam masala warmth.

Recipe:

• Stuff paneer slices with nuts, raisins, and spiced mashed paneer.
• Shallow fry until golden and crispy.
• Simmer in a creamy tomato-cashew gravy with a hint of sweetness and spice.

It’s indulgent, dramatic, and your perfect excuse to ditch basic paneer for something more fun, often accompanied by a delicious potato curry.

10. Jalebi

Golden, swirly, and unapologetically sweet—Jalebi is the dessert that doesn’t believe in subtlety.

Deep-fried to crispy perfection and dunked in saffron-infused sugar syrup, it’s crunchy on the outside, syrupy inside, and impossible to stop at just one. Whether you’re grabbing it from a street vendor or serving it warm with badam milk on a festive morning, Jalebi brings joy in its most delicious form.

Recipe:

• Prepare a fermented batter with flour and a hint of yoghurt.
• Pipe into hot oil in spirals and fry until crisp.
• Dip immediately in warm sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom or saffron.

Sometimes topped with dry fruits for extra crunch and flair, Jalebi is the kind of dessert that steals the spotlight at special occasions—an explosion of flavours wrapped in golden goodness.

Nothing Truly Feels Quite Like UP Food

Some dishes fill your stomach. And Uttar Pradesh famous cuisines? They fill your soul.

The spices, the textures, the way even the most straightforward plate of aloo tamatar puri can transport you home—it’s more than just a meal. It’s comfort, culture, and nostalgia all wrapped in ghee-soaked warmth.

And no one captures that feeling better than the internet’s favourite emotion-dumpster: Reddit.

As one Redditor beautifully (and tearfully) put it:

“Galawati Kebab, Lucknowi Biryani, khasta, aloo tamatar puri, Shahi Tukda, Halwa Puri, Chana Puri (bhandare wali), Malai Paan aur Beniram ki Imarti khila do koi… aajkal wahi sab yaad aa raha hai, pata nahi kyun 😭”

And the line that really hits home:

“UP mai na rehne pe sab thik rehta hai… bas khaana accha nahi lagta kahi ka.”

Because once you’ve lived the rich culinary heritage of Uttar Pradesh, no other menu relatively measures up.

For more foodie nostalgia, regional favourites, and those inevitable “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” moments, stick around and check out our other blogs. The kitchen adventures never end!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the best street food in Uttar Pradesh?

For the best street food in Uttar Pradesh, explore the lanes of cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kanpur. Whether it’s Tunday Kebab, Banarasi Chaat, Pani Puri, spicy potato curry, or Bedmi Puri, the state, hailed for its street food diversity, offers a delightful taste of authentic flavours, similar to those found in Goa.

Which sweet dish is Uttar Pradesh famous for?

Uttar Pradesh is known for a multitude of sweet dishes. The legendary Jalebi and Rasmalai are loved across the state. However, each city hosts a signature sweet, like Mathura’s Peda and Agra’s Petha, which have garnered fame beyond the state’s boundaries.

What is the main and special food of Uttar Pradesh?

Uttar Pradesh’s cuisine, a true reflection of Uttar Pradesh food traditions, is a symphony of dishes, featuring seasonal vegetables and various traditional foods as the mainstream, especially during festivities. Awadhi Biryani, known for its unique cooking method, Dum Pukht, Mughlai Tunday Kebab, and Banarasi Chaat remain the highlights. The regular household food includes roti, various kinds of sabzi, daal, and rice.

What is the famous breakfast in UP?

Several dishes make up the typical breakfast in UP, with the popular ones being Bedai (a type of puri), Jalebi, Samosas, and Kachori served with Aloo Sabzi and a delightful serving of green peas. Tehri, Chola Bhatura, and Dosa are also favoured breakfast items.

What makes Awadhi cuisine distinctive?

With a rich legacy of the Mughal emperors, Awadhi cuisine embraces slow-cooking methods and aromatic spices in the city of Nawabs. The culinary panorama ranges from succulent kebabs, including the famous kakori kebab, and royal biryanis to rich gravies. The galouti masala, in particular, adds a unique flavour, thereby making Awadhi cuisine distinctive.