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Tempting kebabs, aromatic biryani, and fluffy, ethereal desserts.

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and visitors equally swearing by its remarkable cuisine.

An International Accolade

Last month, UNESCO honored it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – including it in a prestigious list of world cities and sparking hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's sublime food. With this designation, it becomes part of a global network of over 400 urban centers across over 100 countries focused on promoting "creativity as a driver of development that sustains urban life".

The honor "demonstrates its profound culinary traditions and lively food ecosystem," according to a official from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to earn a spot in this highly sought-after list of 70 cities internationally.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The recognition for this historic city comes as no surprise to its inhabitants or avid food lovers. Many agree with the sentiment that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO accolade, this beloved, lively, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's largest state – is finally in the limelight for what has always defined its heart: an immense passion for food.

"'What will be cooked, how should it be prepared' is a ongoing dialogue from morning until night in most homes," states a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the quality of food that emerges from your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The City of the Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th-century wealthy Muslim rulers – is famed for its succulent kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were created, evolved, and raised to extraordinary levels in their royal kitchens.

These royal kitchens were epicenters of food experimentation, blending Persian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

It was in this era that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were developed. As the tale is told that the mutton galouti was devised to cater to an elderly nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs minced the meat with papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so fine that it needed no chewing.

But perhaps the biggest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, leisurely heat, with the pot's lid tightly closed with a flour paste.

A Diverse Culinary Landscape

Besides the obvious kebabs and biryani, the cooks 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 just about kebabs and biryani – the region is additionally a vegetarian's paradise.

The local traditionally vegetarian community's cuisine not only highlights local ingredients but also offers the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Time-Tested Food Joints

Almost on countless corners, there are little shops and kiosks – little-known gems that are wildly popular with the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, large gatherings start milling around from early morning at a legendary tea stall to get a piping hot cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in clay glasses, along with fluffy buns slathered with freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can make their way to a simple joint operating in the old city area of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was established, the place is still much sought-after for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also presents unique treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert available in the winter. The technique of making it is intricate and demanding. The vendor hand-churns the milk and then leaves it out at night, allowing the dew to give it its incredible airy feel.

On chilly mornings, street vendors can be seen in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of but express concern that their younger generation are reluctant to learn the skill.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's profound food legacy places it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, however, will be realized only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its hidden eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow tells a story – shaped by multi-generational food businesses, from modest street carts to busy restaurants, and guarded family recipes.

The global recognition, it is believed, will inspire more people around the world to learn these narratives and travel to the city to taste the culinary delights of Lucknow.