Share
There are Goan, South Indian, Andhra, Bihari, and regional cuisines of India, however, there is no specific name that defines the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh. Instead, a foodie will see the regional food as a melting pot of multiple cuisines. It is one state where multiple cuisines - Braj, Awadhi, Bhojpuri - exist together.
Video Credit: Masala Kitchen/ YouTube
From sattu paratha to kebabs and biryani, Uttar Pradesh gives you a chance to taste a variety of dishes across cuisines while remaining in just one city. The best time to explore tourist destinations in the state is either monsoon or winter season. As the rain has begun to cast its spell on the state, here are a few dishes that are a must-try here.
Kachori
Different regions in Uttar Pradesh are known for different varieties of kachori. While Agra is famous for bedai, Varanasi is known for matar kachori. If you are planning to explore the state, you cannot miss out on pyaaz kachor and dal kachori. These kachoris are often served with spicy aloo sabzi, ‘khatti meethi’ tamarind chutney, and green chutney. In most cities, kachori-sabzi is a deadly breakfast combo. If you don’t visit a kachori shop before 9am, you will have to return empty-handed.
Moong Dal Pakora
While crossing any highway in Uttar Pradesh, you can witness multiple makeship stalls selling fresh deep-fried pakoras along with green chutney and hot tea. However, there are a few stalls that sell moong dal pakora or mangoda. The spiced moong dal lentil mixture is deep-fried and served with green chutney. Not only is it delicious but also nutritious because moong dal is rich in protein.
Bedmi Puri-Aloo Sabzi
When it’s pouring cats and dogs, every UP resident craves bedmi poori and aloo sabzi. There is nothing like this delicacy. Wheat puris are deep-fried after they are stuffed with a spiced lentil mixture. They are served with tangy and spicy aloo sabzi. A small trick to keep in mind is to ask for a spoonful of curd, which elevates the flavours of the sabzi and makes the spiciness bearable.
Samosa
Samosas are famous street food items, not just in Uttar Pradesh but also in Bihar, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and other states. However, in UP, the craze for samosa is different and their preparation is also different. The traditional samosas sold in the state are only prepared with crumbled potato mixture. It does not contain garlic, peas, or anything else. If you happen to be in Agra, Mathura, Etawah, Lucknow, and Kanpur, you vendors selling the tastiest samosas.
Aloo Tikki
Imagine it has recently rained, and you head to a street food stall and ask for an aloo tikki. In cities like Mathura, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Agra, vendors make palm-sized crispy aloo tikki. They top it with curd, boiled chickpeas, green chutney, chopped onions, tamarind chutney, and chaat masala. The assembled dish goes well with a hot cup of ginger tea.
Roasted Corn
Roasted corn or bhutta is a monsoon delicacy relished in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and other neighbouring states. It is probably the easiest and tastiest snack to relish in the evening when it’s raining outside. Take a whole bhutta and roast it on the stove or bhatti. Once the kernels start to turn black, cut a lemon in half, put in salt, and rub it across the charred surface of roasted corn. You will be surprised how good it tastes.
Chaat
Whether monsoon, winter, or summer, chaat is among a few dishes that are relished throughout the year. It could just be fried potatoes, dahi bhalla, or moong dal chilla, chaat is quite popular in Uttar Pradesh. Agra, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Etawah, Kanpur, Mathura, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Jhansi, and others have specific chaat spots which you must explore on your tour of the state.
