Hyderabadi Cuisine: A Mix of Cultures

Hyderabad is a city steeped in history, yet it is one that has embraced modernity with ease. For any Hyderabadi, cuisine is an integral part of his life. The rich Hyderabadi cuisine has a cultural lineage that dates back to many centuries. This cuisine has a blend of influences – heavy Mughal, traditional Andhra and Telangana cuisine along with a mixture of gentle Nawaabs.

Mr. Neville, Restaurant Manager, The Bawarchi, Bangalore, says “The history of Hyderabadi cuisine goes back to Nawab and Mughal periods. So you can say it is mixture of two different types of cuisine. The Hyderabadi cuisine has its own customer base which nobody can threaten and as it has a standard way of cooking.”

A reliable source from Hyderabad House Restaurant, which has outlets at Hyderabad and 23 other locations in India, said, “The major ingredients used in the preparation of Hyderabadi foods or commonly called the pakwaan are onions and yoghurt, and a wide assortment of spices. Some of the renowned Hyderabadi dishes are:

• Hyderabadi Biryani (kacchi and pakki Biryani)
• Hyderabadi Haleem
• Double Ka Metha
• Khubani Ka Meetha
• Sheer Korma
• Pathar Ka Gosht
• Kacchi imli ka Dalcha
• Till Ki Chutney
• Maleeda
• Qubuli
• Baghare Baingan
• Nihari
• Mirchi Ka Salan
• Qageena
• Kulfe ki Katli
• Ambaday aur Chanay ki Dal
• Til wali Gavar ki Phalli
• Kacche Kofte
• Chugar Gosht
• Shikampur-Shaami Kawab
• Do Pyaza
• Luqmi-Kawab
• Dum ka Qaeema
• Shirmaal
• Kheer
• Gaajar ka Halwa
• Pasinde ka Salan
• Bhendi ka Khatta
• Boti ka Salan
• Marag
• Aloo Methi Gosht
• Besan ka Salan
• Dil Khush
• Kulcha
• Khatti Dal
• Qubani ka Meetha
• Rowghani Roti
• Mithi Dal
• Mash ki Dal
• Sheer Qurma, and more.

Talking about some of the Hyderabadi cuisines adopted at his restaurant, Mr. Jay Chauhan, Restaurant Manager, Park Balluchi, Delhi, said, “We do not typically focus on Hyderabadi cuisine; we only offer some of the best known dishes from the city of Nawabs, like Biryani and Nizami Handi Gulbar.”

Hyderabadi cuisine’s delicious taste has made a prominent mark internationally as well as it is a gastronomical treat that people cannot easily forget.