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Mouth-watering kebabs, aromatic biryani, and whipped, cloud-like desserts.

The metropolis in India's north of Lucknow has forever been a food lovers' paradise, with inhabitants and visitors equally praising its exquisite cuisine.

A Global Honor

Last month, Unesco honored it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – placing it on a exclusive group of world cities and sparking hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's peerless food. With this title, it becomes part of a global network of over 400 cities across more than 100 countries dedicated to promoting "creativity as a catalyst of sustainable urban development".

The recognition "demonstrates its deep-rooted food heritage and lively culinary scene," as stated by a spokesperson from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is merely the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was chosen in 2019 – to find a place in this coveted list of seventy urban centers internationally.

A City Defined by Food

The honor for this time-honored city arrives as hardly a shock to its locals or passionate food lovers. Many echo the view that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO designation, this beloved, chaotic, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's biggest state – is now in the limelight for what has perennially characterized its heart: an immense devotion for food.

"'The day's menu, how will it be cooked' is a continued discussion from morning until going to bed in most homes," states a local cultural expert. "And you are often assessed by the standard of food that is produced in your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The Nawabi City – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th Century wealthy Muslim rulers – is noted for its tender kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were conceived, evolved, and elevated to sublime levels in their royal kitchens.

These royal kitchens were epicenters of gastronomic creativity, fusing Iranian and indigenous Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

It was during this time that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were fashioned. As the tale is told that the mutton galouti was invented to feed an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His chefs minced the meat with papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so fine that it required no chewing.

But arguably the most significant contribution of the cooks of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, leisurely heat, with the container's cover securely sealed with a flour paste.

Beyond Kebabs and Biryani

Besides the well-known kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also created a repertoire of dishes that included kormas (creamy curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a decadent bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is not just about kebabs and biryani – the region is additionally a dream for plant-based eaters.

The local Baniya community's cuisine doesn't just showcases local ingredients but also gives the city its exquisitely crafted Indian desserts, sweets, and unique street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Nearly on countless corners, there are tiny kiosks and stalls – lesser-known delights that are extremely popular with the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, large gatherings start gathering from early morning at a legendary tea stall to get a piping hot cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in clay glasses, along with fluffy buns slathered with hand-churned white butter.

In the morning, one can visit a no-frills joint located in the old city area 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).

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also presents unique treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert available in the winter. The method of making it is precise and demanding. The vendor hand-churns the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its amazing airy feel.

On crisp mornings, street vendors are often seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of but say that their children are unwilling to learn the craft.

A renowned chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's immense food legacy places it at the very pinnacle of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, however, will materialize only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its under-the-radar eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – influenced by family-run food businesses, from modest street carts to bustling restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The global recognition, it is believed, will encourage more people around the world to explore these tales and travel to the city to taste the culinary delights of Lucknow.