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Loved by foodies across states, our idyllic City of Nawabs, Lucknow, has just been formally nominated for UNESCO's esteemed Creative City of Gastronomy designation, all set to showcase its renowned Awadhi cuisine of slow-cooked kebabs, aromatic biryanis, smooth challahs, delectable vegetarian treats, and mouthwatering desserts. This royal cuisine is currently awaiting UNESCO's expert study and visits, spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture and crafted by heritage maestro Abha Narain Lambah. If verified, Lucknow will join many other international icons recognised for their excellent food scenes, solidifying its position as a gourmet haven.
But what is UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy?
If this is something you’ve never heard of before, you’re at the right place. UNESCO, as an organisation, stands for the preservation of culture, and food, while often overlooked for heritage buildings, happens to be one of the formative pillars of what makes culture. Many regions in the world, in fact, happen to have food intertwined with their geography so deeply that you can’t have one without the other. Case in point, the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese that has a GI tag and is only produced in the Italian provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia. Champagne, the much-loved fizzy alcoholic beverage, only comes from the grapes in the Champagne region of France.
Since its introduction as a subnetwork in 2005, the UNESCO initiative has grown to a total of 56 designated Cities of Gastronomy in 34 countries, with 1 other Indian city to have made the cut, and hopefully, Lucknow will be the next.
Indian representation in the UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy
While Lucknow has been nominated this year, India has been represented in the UNESCO initiative once before, and in royal grandeur. If you guessed the City of Nizams, you’re right. The only Indian city to be a part of UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy yet, happens to be Hyderabad. With its biryani being world famous, and a feast of non-vegetarian dishes like Paya and Botti Kabab, vegetarian fare like Khatti Dal and Qabooli Biryani with Burani Raita, desserts like Shahi Tukda and Sheer Khurma, no wonder it became the first city from India to be featured on the list in 2019.
That said, in a country as diverse as India, there is immense potential for different cuisines to be recognised for the cultural wealth they hold. Think about Naga cuisine with its fermented complex dishes, think Chettinad cuisine with the most gorgeous blend of spices, think Odisha for an interesting mix of tribal recipes with plenty of rice based dishes, and we could go on and on, and the list simply won’t end!
All about Lucknow
Till that happens, let us shift our focus back to the city of Lucknow. While famous for its kebabs, Lucknow in fact has so much more to offer, both for vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians. Here’s a quick list of what we think makes Lucknow a contender for UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy.
1. Awadhi Biryani
Biryani is a dish that is found in many parts of the country, with each region bringing its own flavour to your table. Malabar biryani might surprise you with its inclusion of raisins, and West Bengal might add potatoes, but who are we to judge!
Awadhi biryani is authentically made with mutton and not chicken. It's much milder than its Hyderabadi counterpart, flavourful, and aromatic. With sprinkled rose water to saffron soaked in milk, biryani in Lucknow is meant to be savoured with the same pace and ease that the city works with, at leisure, completely absorbed.
2. Warqi Parantha
Rich, flaky Awadhi breads baked with ghee and love, warqi parathas are layered like a lachha parantha, except it is topped with saffron for a hint of Nawabi luxury. Extremely consuming to make, they go well with curries, kormas, or even desserts, but as we said, they do require patience and talent. It's a leisurely, decadent, and completely wonderful dinner for people who love cooking as a ritual.
3. Kulcha Nahari
Now this comes from one specific joint in the city, and has gained cult status over the years. Had as a breakfast, Kulcha Nahari marries the soft pillowy kulcha with perfectly spiced nahari for a filling meal. Nahari can be of different varieties like Paya Nahari, Gosht Nahari, or even Gooda Nahari.
4. Sabzi Poori
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the dish. Lucknow’s aalu ki sabzi with poori will be a craving you’ll have months after you’ve had it. Another typical breakfast dish, this is hot, fresh made pooris, served with a spicy aalu ki sabzi, that by the way, doesn’t take into account the number of green chillies that go into the pot while making. If you are not that acquainted with spices, a tall glass of thick, malaidaar lassi is a must with this.
5. Chaat
The internet in any point of time is abuzz with netizens fighting over golgappe vs panipuri vs puchka, but if you’ve had pani ke bataashe in Lucknow, you know the debate is futile. Oh and khasta kachauri, and basket chaat, and crispy aalu tikkies, and dahiwade? Lucknow is a heaven for chaat lovers. No matter what your palette be, chaat in Lucknow will hit the spot.
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6. Makkhan Malai
We cannot talk about Lucknow and then not talk about Makkhan Malai! While chaat and lassi is perfect for hot summer days, many of the local delicacies in Lucknow are winter based. Makhhan Malai is one of them. Made from whisked butter, and worked on overnight till it takes the texture of a pillowy cloud of deliciousness, this is a must have in Lucknow.
7. Kaali Gaajar Ka Halwa
You might have heard of all the aforementioned food items in Lucknow, but this is an underrated treat only locals seem to know about. Generally, gaajar ka halwa is made with ruby red carrots that make their way to the market in winters, across the country. In Lucknow, another variety of carrots is also used to make the sweet. Kaali gaajar or purple hued carrots are very slightly different in taste, and given their colour, serve as quite a conversation starter.