Hyderabad has a thriving street food culture that, like the city’s restaurants, exhibits the city’s distinct mixture of Mughlai and Andhra influences. Here’s a rundown of the top street foods you should try in Hyderabad. On this list, you’ll find everything from hot and spicy nibbles to decadent treats.
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Street Foods You Should Try in Hyderabad, India
Firni
This creamy rice pudding, a variation of the country’s famed kheer, is offered in little clay bowls in crowded street vendors across the city. Rice is cooked in sweetened thick milk and then covered with a variety of spices, including cardamom, saffron, cloves, and cinnamon, as well as dried fruits and nuts, to make this dish. This is one of the greatest options for a fast pick-me-up on the streets of Hyderabad. It’s light and flavorful.
Lukhmi
Lukhmi is a square-shaped local version of the samosa that is frequently loaded with a strongly spiced minced meat filling. Its flaky and crisp deep-fried surface contrasts with its soft and flavorful interior. Potatoes, onions, green peas, and chilies are common ingredients in the filling. The food is sold as a hearty snack in street vendors and small eateries across the city.
Hyderabadi Biriyani
Let’s begin with the most cliché yet delectable food Hyderabad has to offer: the world-famous Hyderabadi Biriyani! This is accessible almost everywhere in Hyderabad, and you can taste it at any location because the basic recipe is the same everywhere. Every non-dream vegetarian’s comes true with this delicious meaty main meal with just the proper amount of spices and flavor.
Papdi chaat
This tasty combination of deep-fried dough bits known as papdi, potatoes, chickpeas, onions, green peas, chilies, and a blend of flavorful sauces is one of Hyderabad’s most popular street foods. The chaat’s unusual combination of sauces and spices allows it to be sweet, spicy, sour, and acidic all at once.
Kebabs
Hyderabad, as a center of Mughlai cuisine in India, is home to a plethora of notable kebab variations and outlets. Boti kebabs, which are chunks of lamb meat that have been deeply marinated and grilled to perfection, are especially popular in the city and a must-try for meat lovers.
Hyderabadi Haleem
Another favorite is this wonderful stew. Introduced in Hyderabad under the Nizam period, this popular Hyderabadi street food dish has evolved into the best and most famous Hyderabadi haleem by adding traditional spices. This stew is cooked with lentils and beef, as well as pounded wheat and cooked into a thick paste, and is popular during Ramadan.
Boti Kebab
These delectable kebabs are all you’ll need to brighten up any gloomy day! These highly seasoned lamb appetizers are a must-try for any meat lover looking for some iconic Hyderabad street food.
Qubani Ka Meetha
This genuine Hyderabadi dish is another must-try if you ever visit Hyderabad. Dried apricots are used to make this Hyderabadi delicacy, which is frequently topped with almonds. It can be served with ice cream or with malai as a garnish (thick cream).
Mirchi Ka Salan
Along with the well-known Hyderabadi Biriyani, Mirchi ka Salan is a delicacy worth mentioning. Green chillis are the major component in this gravy dish, which is made with coconut, peanuts, and sesame seeds as a base. This is typically cooked using the long, fiery chillies found in Hyderabad. So, if you’re going to enjoy Hyderabad’s street cuisine, be prepared for a fiery experience.
Pesarattu Dosa
Pesarattu Dosa, also known as Moong Dal Dosa, is similar to a regular Dosa except that the batter is composed of moong dal. It’s one of Andhra Pradesh’s most popular breakfast meals, and it’s also incredibly healthful. It comes with ginger chutney on the side, which is a mouthwatering combo. Other south Indian states serve Dosa as street food, but this unique take on the southern classic has won this dish a place on the finest street food in Hyderabad list.
Nihari
Nihari, another Eid special, is a delectable lamb stew that is absolute bliss for your taste senses. This is frequently prepared with the marrow and, on rare occasions, a brain. This dish is cooked overnight and even buried underground to allow the masala aroma to permeate the meat. It is so well-known during Eid that it is referred to as Pakistan’s National Dish.