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Hyderabad, often called the "City of Pearls," is famous for its rich history and culture and its vibrant and diverse culinary scene. The city's street food culture is integral to its identity, offering a delightful array of flavours and aromas that cater to every palate. From spicy biryanis to mouthwatering kebabs and delectable sweets, Hyderabad's street food is a gastronomic adventure waiting to be explored. Here, let's embark on a journey through some of Hyderabad's most beloved street foods and tell you where you can find them.
Hyderabadi Chicken 65 is a spicy and crispy chicken dish that is believed to have originated in Hyderabad. It is made by marinating chicken pieces with yoghurt, spices, curry leaves, and flour and then deep-frying them until golden and crunchy. Some people also add a tempering of garlic, green chilies, and red chilli powder to enhance the flavour and colour of the dish. Hyderabadi Chicken 65 is usually served as an appetizer or a snack with mint chutney or ketchup.
Where To Find: Bawarchi, Hotel Tulips Grand, and Paradise
Boti kebab is a variety of Indian kebab that consists of chunks of meat (lamb, mutton, chicken, or beef) that are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, garlic, ginger, chillis, papaya, and spices such as garam masala, chilli powder, and cumin. After marinating, the meat chunks are skewered and grilled to perfection, then brushed with ghee. These kebabs are typically enjoyed as a snack or an appetizer and are usually accompanied by raw onions, lemon wedges, various chutneys, or Indian bread on the side.
Where To Find: Hotel Shadab, Paradise, and Bawarchi
Pesarattu dosa is made with green gram (moong dal) batter, which is rich in protein and fiber. It is crispy on the edges and soft in the center, and has a mild flavour of ginger, cumin and green chillies. Pesarattu dosa is usually served with upma, a savoury semolina dish, and ginger chutney, a spicy and tangy dip. Some people also like to add chopped onions, coriander leaves and green chillies on top of the pesarattu dosa for extra taste and crunch.
Where To Find: Pragati Gully and Charminar Market
Mirchi Ka Salan is a delicious and spicy dish that is often served with biryani or rice. It is made with green chillies that are cooked in a rich and tangy gravy of peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut, tamarind and spices. It is a traditional Hyderabadi recipe that has a unique flavour and aroma.
Where To Find: Hotel Rumaan Restaurant, Hotel Nayaab, and Hotel Shadab.
Hyderabadi biryani is a delicious and aromatic dish of rice, meat and spices that originated from the city of Hyderabad. It is one of the most popular varieties of biryani in the world and has many regional variations. Hyderabadi biryani is usually made with basmati rice, chicken or mutton, yoghurt, fried onions, mint, cilantro, saffron, ghee and a blend of spices such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, cumin, mace and pepper. The rice and meat are cooked separately and layered in a large pot. The pot is sealed with dough and cooked over a low flame for a long time. This method of cooking is called “dum”, and it infuses the rice with the flavours and aromas of the meat and spices.
Where To Find: Hotel Shadab, Meridian Cafe & Restaurant, and Shah Ghouse Cafe & Restaurant
Hyderabadi Haleem is a delicious and creamy dish made with boneless mutton, yoghurt, broken wheat or dalia, cashews, urad and chana dal along with tomato, onion and a melange of spices. A traditional delicacy of the state, Hyderabadi Haleem is often prepared during the month of Ramadan, as it is a wholesome and satisfying meal to break the fast. It is also a popular street food and a fine dining speciality in Hyderabad.
Where To Find: Pista House, Shah Ghouse Cafe & Restaurant, and Paradise
What better way to end the course than with a sweet treat of phirni? Hyderabadi phirni is a delicious and creamy dessert made with rice, milk, sugar and saffron. It is a speciality of Hyderabad. It is usually served in clay pots called kasoras, which give it a unique flavour and aroma. It is garnished with silver leaf and rose petals for an elegant touch. It is often made during festivals like Eid, Diwali and Holi.
Where To Find: Shah Ghouse Cafe & Restaurant and The Grand Trunk Road
