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Nestled along the banks of the Ganges River, Kanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, is not only known for its rich history and beautiful markets but also for its delicious food. From savoury street snacks to indulgent desserts, Kanpur's food scene is a delightful journey for your taste buds. From a variety of chaats to creamy kulfi, every speciality of Kanpur is lip-smacking.
Here are 7 must-try iconic foods of Kanpur that you must try.
Kachori Sabzi
Kanpuri locals start their day with a plate of piping hot kachori sabzi. These deep-fried, flaky kachoris are filled with a spicy mixture of lentils, spices, and in winters, peas. Served with a side of tangy potato and tomato curry, the combination is a perfect meal that wakes up the palate, making it a popular breakfast option across the city.
Chaat
Credit - Delhi Food Walks
A visit to Kanpur is incomplete without savouring its renowned chaat. The local chaat is an explosion of flavours, featuring a medley of ingredients like papdi, tikki, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, yoghurt, and a variety of chutneys. The combination of sweet, sour, and spicy elements makes Kanpur's chaat an irresistible street food experience. Popular variations include aloo tikki chaat, papdi chaat and Kanpur special basket chaat.
Swal Papdi
For those with a distinct love for authentic street food, Swal Papdi is a Kanpur specialty that must not be missed. This unique street food is a combination of cripy, flaky khasta papdi with swal, chillies and sliced onions. It is a breakfast speciality and people line up outside the famous Jeetu Bhaiya Swal Papdi to eat it.
Batashe
Known by various names across India, Batashe, or paani puri, is a popular street food that has found a special place in the hearts of Kanpur's residents. The crispy puris are filled with a mixture of spicy tamarind water, mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a variety of chutneys. Murli Batashe wala is very popular in the city.
Laddoo
Credits - mukesh help
Kanpur's version is no less delightful than a variety of options available all over the country. These sweet treats are made from ingredients like gram flour, sugar, and ghee, rolled into perfect round shapes. Thaggu ke laddu are super popular across the country and even celebs order it for their weddings and other festivities.
Imarti
Imarti, a close relative of jalebi, is a traditional Indian dessert that graces the streets of Kanpur with its pretty orange swirls. Made from fermented urad dal batter, deep-fried to perfection, and then soaked in sugar syrup, imarti is a sweet indulgence that captivates both the eyes and the taste buds. It's often enjoyed during festive occasions and is definitely a must try.
Biryani
No culinary exploration of Kanpur is complete without indulging in the city's flavourful biryani. Kanpuri biryani is a fragrant rice dish cooked with whole spices, succulent pieces of meat, and saffron. The slow-cooking process ensures that the flavours are absorbed thoroughly, creating a rich and hearty dish that reflects the royal heritage of the region. Whether it's chicken or mutton biryani, the dish is a celebration of culinary excellence that satisfies both the stomach and the soul. Baba Biryani is very popular in the city.
Kulfi:
To conclude this foodie journey through Kanpur, one cannot overlook the city's love affair with kulfi. This dense and creamy frozen dessert, often flavoured with cardamom, pistachios, or saffron, is a popular choice to beat the heat. Whether enjoyed on a stick or served in a matka, Kulfi is the perfect sweet ending to a day filled with diverse and delightful Kanpuri flavours. Do not forget to try the famous badnaam kulfi.
