Ramadan In India: Take A Culinary Journey Through Lucknow's Century-Old Bazaars

2026-02-26 11:20:38

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Thousands of residents and visitors, both from India and abroad, throng the narrow lanes of Old Lucknow during Ramadan, walking through the vibrant food bazaars and enjoying the delicacies. Places like Chowk and Aminabad emerge as fascinating places during the night walks.

The capital of Uttar Pradesh comes alive late at night as groups of people gather around the historic places in the 'City of Tehzeeb' (city of culture, etiquette and manners). The city is known for its Nawabi architecture, chikankari embroidery, poetry and Awadhi cuisine. Chowk market, one of the oldest in the city and state, begins at Gol Darwaza and ends at Akbari Darwaza. There are about 5,000 shops on this stretch, and they all come alive during Ramadan nights.

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Many of the eateries have been there for more than a hundred years. The streets, the shops and the stalls are all decked up for Ramadan nights. And they offer delicacies, including kebabs, kulchas, jalebis, and of course, the Makhan Malais and Shahi Tukdas. The stalls serve melt-in-the-mouth stuff during Ramadan nights, such as slow-cooked nihari, kebabs, biryani and the Nihari Kulcha.

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The meat in the Nihari is served with a thick, flavourful gravy, with kulcha, the soft flatbread baked on tandoor. One of the most popular places for Nihari kulcha is Raheem's, which was started way back in the 1920s. The restaurant proudly highlights its Tehzeeb (etiquette), which ensures that no customer is turned away without being served.

According to a manager at the eatery, Ramadan is the time when Lucknow, and especially Chowk, get the largest number of visitors. And most of the tables at the restaurants in the busy locality are occupied late into the night and till the early hours.

The restaurants in Lucknow are also known for churning out creamy phirni in clay pots, sheer khurmas, sabudana kheer with malai and rabri, khus sherbet. Says another restaurateur in Lucknow:“One of the favourites during Ramadan is having steaming pink Kashmiri chai (tea) in small cups.” And it goes well with Kulhad kheer and Gond ka halwa. Of late, chicken shawarmas are also getting popular during the nights in many of the Lucknow eateries. There are some who prefer Paya trotters soup (Paya shorba or mutton paya) or even the freshly-baked Bun-makkhan.

Walking through Chowk, Aminabad or Hussainabad in Lucknow during the holy month is an experience that many do not forget; it brings them back to Lucknow on most Ramadan nights from all over India. Besides the food, it is the friendly environment, the laughter, the courtesies and all that Lucknow symbolises.

Besides the food, there is intricate jewellery being sold in the shops, embroidered textiles, Zardozi dresses, handcrafted home décor, and the perfumes (ittar, or attar). Last year saw Lucknow celebrate 250 years of its rich Awadhi history, culture, cuisine and architecture. And the charming old city continues to draw thousands of visitors.