If you are in Uttar Pradesh, you can find classic and traditional foods in each and every corner of the streets and not to forget the street foods that are equally to die for! Some of the most popular and famous snacks from the region include samosas, dahi wadas, pakoras (fritters), aloo tikki, pani puri and kachoris with absolutely delicious chutneys and sauces as accompaniments and crispy jalebis as desserts. Anything from a Mughlai to an Awadhi dish with rustic flavours, the cuisine in this part of India is surely invigorating.

The food mainly includes meat, wheat and vegetables which are the primary source of protein and vitamins. Paneer is frequently added to dishes. Rich spices such as saffron and cardamom are widely used, which make the fare mouth watering.

Roti, puri, dal, rice varieties, sabzi, and meat dishes are foods that form the daily diet. A typical festive thali consists of Puri, Kachori, sabji, pulav, papad, raita, salad and desserts (such as sewai or kheer).

Rotis are of different types, including naan, paratha, kulcha, roomali and tandoori rotis. Rice varieties include plain steamed rice, pulav, and flavourful Biryanis.

Puri-Aloo and Kachori are among the most famous vegetarian dishes and considered necessary during festivities. Lazeez Lauki, Navratan Korma, Paneer Pasanda, Kadi chawal and Gobhi Mussallam are few traditional vegetarian preparations of the region.

Meat delicacies and Biryanis of the region are world famous. Murgh Mussallam, Nihari, Salan, Mutton Biryani, rich creamy kormas, dum biryanis, tender steak like pasandas in an almond sauce, Kundan Kaliya, Zamin Doz Macchli, and Nargisi kofta – every dish is special.

For fish lovers Zamin doz macchli is a must-have dish. A whole fish is marinated and stuffed with spices. It is then placed in earthenware and sealed with wheat dough. This is buried underground and cooked with charcoal fire directly above it for a few hours.

Murgh musallam is a dish made by marinating and cooking a whole chicken. This is often served with ghee rice. Salan is a gravy dish, made with meat or vegetable. Pasanda is a mild meat or vegetarian curry made with cream, yoghurt, and nuts.

If we are talking about Biryani, the specialty of the region can not be missed out. Lucknowi biryani made with mutton or chicken and cooked in the stock of meat is definitely a worthy treat for food lovers.

Awadhi food is incomplete without its various kebab preparations. Awadhi cuisine offers a distinct way of cooking kebabs, they are grilled on a chula and are also called "chula" kebabs. Kakori Kebab, Shami Kebab, Gulnaar Kebab, Galouti Kebab- they all are there to delight your taste buds.

Then there is a plethora of desserts to choose from like Sohan Halwa, Gulab Jamun, Kheer, Rabdi, Gujiya, Imrati, Kulfi and Sheer Kurma. The list is endless. The state is also famous for some sweet delicacies which are unique to the region. If you are on a trip to Uttar Pradesh never miss out the taste of Agra's Petha, Mathura's Peda, Shahi Tukda of Oudh region and Gazak and Rewari from Meerat.

The cuisine also presents some of the popular beverages like Lassi, Chhaas, Bhang, Ruh-Afza (rose water beverage), Gurahl (hibiscus) Sherbat, Lemon Sherbat, and Rose Sherbat.

And if you are in Banaras (Varanasi), you can find your choice of paan at every step of Varanasi and every paanvala will serve you the best traditional Banarasi Paan in traditional way - the pale dark green betel leaf smeared by the catechu and lime and stuffed with silver areca, tobacco (if preferred by individual), nuts, cardamom, camphor, mint, coconut and sweeteners for the taste.

So come and relish the taste of the cuisine offered in Uttar Pradesh.