Uttar Pradesh is widely known for its vibrant people and amazing food but what is the special food of Uttar Pradesh? It is a place where people visit different temples like Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Banke Bihari Temple in Varanasi, and many more. It is a tourist attraction for a lot of people and people love being here.
The reason why people love visiting Uttar Pradesh is that they love how they are treated. People in Uttar Pradesh are warm and sweet just like their food. You understand the real meaning of Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is equivalent to God) when you go to Uttar Pradesh. India is known for its culture and hospitality and Uttar Pradesh does not fail in that. India is also known for its food so what is the special food of Uttar Pradesh?
Facts About Uttar Pradesh
Before knowing what the special food of Uttar Pradesh is, let us look at some facts about this state.
- Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India with a population of more than 23.15 crores and Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad) is the most populous district in Uttar Pradesh with the estimated population of more than 10.23 lakh. Uttar Pradesh is also known to have the most amount of rural population in India.
- One of the seven wonders and the only one in India is Agra’s, Taj Mahal.
- Uttar Pradesh is widely known for having some of the most sacred rivers in the country like Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati.
- Uttar Pradesh has one of the biggest festivals in Hinduism held in Prayagraj called Kumbh Mela. It has a large public gathering and it is celebrated four times in 12 years in 4 different locations and Prayagraj being one of them.
- The state also has the largest population of Muslims.
- The state produces most amounts of Wheat and Sugarcane.
So, these were some random facts about Uttar Pradesh to help you know the state a bit more.
What Is the Special Food of Uttar Pradesh?
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There is a lot of special food in Uttar Pradesh because the cuisine in this state contains a lot of variety. People in this state tend to have extremely traditional food but they are not afraid to experiment with it and add a modern touch.
So, what is the special food of Uttar Pradesh? Let’s find out.
1. Tehri
This dish can be considered a special food of Uttar Pradesh because of how simple and delicious it is. This dish is cooked in a single pot. You can be as creative or as simple with it. It consists of rice, spices (turmeric, red chilies), and loads of vegetables.
It is the special food of Uttar Pradesh because it is quick to make and healthy to eat. It does contain a lot of nutrients because of all the vegetables that are put into it and it is very filling too. This dish is especially famous in Allahabad but loved by people all over the state.
2. Soot Feni
Soot Feni is a sweet dish and a very special dish of Uttar Pradesh. It is similar to kheer but not kheer. It is flaky rice flour roasted in ghee. It is put into milk and a lot of dry fruits like almonds, raisins, and cashews are included in it. A decent amount of Makhanas is also added with a lot of sugar.
This dish is prepared during special occasions like Eid and Karwachauth.
3. Bhakoswa (Dal Pitha)
This is a savory dish made with rice flour and chana dal (split chickpeas). In this dish, the chana dal is mashed with spices and then it is stuffed into rice dough and steamed in heat. This dish is paired with green chutney that is spicy and red chutney.
This dish is considered to be extremely healthy because the source of protein is chana dal, and it is not fried but steamed. It is also known as Pann Budda. This dish is also made with wheat flour, and a majority of people from rural places can easily have access to it and prepare it at home.
4. Chilla
An exceptional dish of Uttar Pradesh is Chilla. It can be made in many different ways. It is a savory pancake made with chickpea flour and mixed with regular ingredients. The sweet variant of Chilla is made with jaggery.
This dish is often paired with green chutney or ketchup. It is usually preferred to be eaten as a breakfast or snack.
5. Lucknowi Biryani
Biryani is a staple and unique food of Uttar Pradesh. This particular Biryani is widely famous in the streets of Lucknow, and thus the name is Lucknowi Biryani. The meat and rice are cooked separately first and then mixed. The meat is marinated with yogurt, spices, and herbs.
Lucknowi Biryani is extremely famous among meat lovers, and it is quite spicy too. The spiciness and uniqueness of this dish make it a special food of Uttar Pradesh.
6. Bedhai
Bedhai is a type of puri made up of wheat flour and stuffed with chana dal or urad dal. It is enjoyed a lot by the people in the state because of how lip-smacking it is. It is the exclusive food of Uttar Pradesh, but people in Agra enjoy it the most.
It can be eaten during breakfast or snacks, and it is one of the very popular street food in the state. It is very similar to Aloo Parantha, but the stuffing is made of channa dal instead of potatoes.
7. Galouti Kebab
Kebabs are extremely famous in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The most interesting and loved kebab is Galouti Kebab. It is very tender and juicy and almost melts in your mouth. The city is known for its royalty, but one fun fact about this particular food of Uttar Pradesh is that Gaoluti Kebab was originally made for an old nawab that had no tooth.
These kebabs were made so they can be easy to eat, and with such Kebabs, there is not much chewing that is required.
These kebabs are extremely delicious and a must-try in Uttar Pradesh.
8. Balushahi
Balushahi is a very popular dessert and special food of Uttar Pradesh. Balu or Balo means something that is textured, and Shahi means Royal. Therefore, Balushahi is considered a royal dish that is textured. It is made up of refined flour and deep-fried in sugar syrup. It is a favorite amongst dessert lovers.
People in Uttar Pradesh are very particular about the desserts that they have. Balushahi is extremely sweet and often compared to glazed doughnuts. The consistency of Balushahi is quite different from a doughnut, but the appearance of both dishes is similar.
Balushahi is made especially during Diwali when sweets are exchanged between families and friends.
9. Petha
Whenever someone says Petha, you would automatically associate it with Agra, and that is why it is called Agra ka Pethe because it originated from there.
Petha is a soft candy made with Wax Gourd (Ash Gourd, White Gourd). It is usually rectangular in shape and sweet in taste.
Petha is one of the most popular dishes in Uttar Pradesh. It is sold all across the state, and it now has a variety of different variants to choose from like angoori, kesari.
Petha and water are usually the first things served to the guests. It can be found in almost every household in Uttar Pradesh because it requires very few ingredients, so it is either prepared at home or store-bought.
10. Aloo Curry
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Aloo curry is considered the exceptional food of Uttar Pradesh because of its simplicity and deliciousness. Aloo curry is made in rural parts of Uttar Pradesh as well as the urban parts. It requires potatoes and a few spices, including turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. It is prepared quickly, and it is a staple in every Uttar Pradesh household.
Aloo curry is usually paired with roti or puri, and Aloo Puri is one of the most loved street foods in Uttar Pradesh. It is made regularly or during special occasions wherein people in rural areas would prepare either aloo curry or chickpea curry paired with rice and puri during a wedding for the guests.
Above mentioned was some of the most special food in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the mentioned dishes, there are many more dishes that are thoroughly loved by people in the state. Some of the other dishes include various different types of Kebabs like Pasanda Kebab, Shami Kebab, Boti Kebab, Seekh Kebab, etc.
Some street foods loved in the state include Batti Chokha, Malpua, Peda, and Golgappe. There are multiple dishes made all over in India but loved by people in Uttar Pradesh but have different names or a slight bit of variation.
Your mouth may be watering after reading about such delicious and special food of Uttar Pradesh and rightly so because Uttar Pradesh has some of the best delicacies around the country.
So, these were the special food of Uttar Pradesh that is an absolute must-try. Would you like to try the special food of Uttar Pradesh? Do visit this place and try out these fantastic dishes.
Last Updated on by Steffy Michael
