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, this north India state has a wide variety of dishes to tantalise your palate. From street food to rich Awadhi cuisine, there are many famous dishes of Uttar Pradesh 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

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 dishes you can have in Uttar Pradesh.  

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, whole and grounded spices, which gives its irresistible flavour. 

Bhindi Ka Salan 

Bhindi is Okra or Lady Fingers and salan is basically a curry. This yoghurt-based curry that comes from the Awadh region is the perfect example of delicious food. It is spicy, it is oily, it is creamy and thick, and it makes you keep going back for more.

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. It's 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 dish offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes, making it a popular choice among vegetarians in the region.

Meat delicacies 

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

The kebabs of Uttar Pradesh are epic! And, fittingly, Kebab Paratha was considered a royal 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 for it, and a single bite will take you to food heaven.  

The specialty 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 dish consists of tender and marinated pieces of mutton, cooked in a rich and aromatic gravy. The meat is marinated with yogurt 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.

Scrumptious Sweets 

If you have a sweet tooth, Uttar Pradesh will satiate your cravings for sweet 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 treat from 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. 

Balushahi 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.

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.