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Mouth-watering kebabs, fragrant biryani, and airy, cloud-like desserts.

The metropolis in India's north of Lucknow has long been a dream destination for epicures, with residents and travelers alike praising its superb cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco recognised it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – adding it to a prestigious list of international urban centers and kindling hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's peerless food. With this title, it becomes part of a international community of cities urban centers across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "innovation as a key factor of sustainable urban development".

The honor "is a testament to its deep-rooted gastronomic legacy and vibrant gastronomic culture," as stated by a representative from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is merely the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was selected in 2019 – to secure a position in this highly sought-after list of 70 global destinations internationally.

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The accolade for this venerable city is no surprise to its residents or avid food lovers. Many share the sentiment that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO recognition, this beloved, bustling, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's most populous state – is at last in the limelight for what has perennially characterized its essence: an profound devotion for food.

"'What will be cooked, how should it be prepared' is a ongoing dialogue from morning until night in most homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are often judged by the excellence of food that is produced in your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The Nawabi City – as it's widely known after its historic opulent Muslim rulers – is renowned for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were conceived, refined, and elevated to exquisite levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were epicenters of food experimentation, fusing Iranian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was in this era that Lucknow's renowned kebabs were created. The story goes that the mutton galouti was created to feed an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His cooks minced the meat with papaya, saffron, and spices and made it so silky that it needed no chewing.

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

A Diverse Culinary Landscape

Besides the well-known kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also developed a vast array of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a rich bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is not only about kebabs and biryani – the region is also a vegetarian's paradise.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only highlights fresh harvests but also gives the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Almost on countless corners, there are small establishments and carts – hidden delights that are immensely popular with the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, huge crowds start gathering from 5 am at a legendary tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, presented in earthenware cups, along with pillowy soft buns lathered with freshly churned white butter.

To start the day, one can make their way to a unpretentious joint operating in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was established, the place is still highly popular for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also offers remarkable 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 artisan whisks the milk and then leaves it out at night, allowing the dew to give it its amazing frothy texture.

On crisp mornings, street vendors can be seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of however say that their younger generation are unwilling to master the art.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's rich food legacy places it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, however, will materialize only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – shaped by multi-generational food businesses, from modest street carts to busy restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The global recognition, it is believed, will motivate more people globally to explore these tales and experience the city to taste the food wonders of Lucknow.