Uttar Pradesh

A Heartland Cuisine of Royal Courts, Rivers, and Rural Tradition

Uttar Pradesh brings together Awadhi royal cuisine, Braj sweets, and Purvanchal’s rustic flavours, shaped by its river plains and long history.

How Geography Shapes Food

Zone Climate Food Influence
Awadh (Lucknow) Fertile plains Slow-cooked meat, breads
Western UP Wheat belt Rotis, milk, ghee
Eastern UP Subtropical Rice, lentils, rustic dishes

Historical Roots

Era Culinary Influence
Mughal–Awadhi Courts Kebabs, biryanis, kormas
Braj Region Milk-based sweets
Rural Gangetic Plains Lentils, wheat, vegetables

UP’s food history reflects royal finesse and village simplicity.

Core Ingredients

Wheat, Rice, Milk, Lentils, Ghee, Spices, Potatoes, Paneer

Signature Dishes

Galouti Kebab, legendary Awadhi delicacy
Awadhi Biryani, layered and aromatic
Petha, from Agra’s Mughal heritage
Bedmi Poori with Aloo, street classic
Banarasi Tamatar Chaat, unique sweet-savoury flavour

Festival & Ritual Foods

Holi: Gujiya
Diwali: Petha & laddus
Weddings: rich Awadhi kormas and biryanis

Health & Ayurvedic Relevance

Milk supports bone health
Ghee aids digestion
Wheat and rice provide balanced carbohydrates

 

© 2025 Cuisine India Society | All Rights Reserved.