Flavours of Hyderabad

Ask Hyderabadis what they are proud of and a long list of gastronomic wonders will be rattled off alongside the Charminar and Hitech city. From delicious kebabs and biryani to lukhmis, haleem and chai, there is something lip smacking that every city dweller swears by. Be it snacks, main course or dessert, nothing can beat the City of Nizams when it comes to pampering one’s tastebuds. Hyderabadi foodies list out some delicacies you must try.

Hot chai and savoury treats
Medium kadak, pauna (light), khada chammach or suleiman (decoction), whatever might be the style, a day in the life of an an average Hyderabadi is never complete without taking a chai break to sip a cup of steaming Irani chai or bite into a tasty mini samosa. Strong and sweet, coupled with spicy and savoury is the best way to start your mornings. Agrees Shilpa Reddy, former Mrs World, “While growing up, there were two things I couldn’t do without — the milky Irani chai available at the cafes littered around the city and tiny onion-filled Irani samosas. The combination was killer. Though I can’t imagine having them now, I can still remember how great it tasted. I would recommend everyone to try this at least once.”

The Dum factor
Called it cliched if you will, but there is a reason Hyderabad is synonymous with biryani. No one makes dum biryani like we do, admits city foodies. Add to that a sinful serving of dum ka murg and you are in culinary heaven. Mouthfuls of the flavoured rice with spicy salan and a bite of succulent meat, is every city dwellers’ dream meal, says Mona Mehra, a socialite. “Ask about authentic Hyderabadi food and the first thing that comes to my mind is dum ka murg and biryani. Even now when I go to visit friends in Mumbai or Delhi, I am asked to carry these dishes for them.”

Delicious desserts
Desserts are the only things that give the city’s famous biryani a run for its money. Sweet tooth or not, no one can say no to the queen of desserts, khubani ka meetha and its sinful compatriot double ka meetha. Take your pick from the succulent apricot sweet dish or the deep fried bread soaked in sugar syrup, you will not lose out either ways. Socialite and foodie Kamini Saraf elaborates, “There is nothing that spells Hyderabadi more than khubani ka meetha and double ka meetha. These two desserts are found only in this city and are delicious.”

Baked delights
Anyone who has failed to indulge in the bakery culture rampant in the city will be the sore loser. Crunchy tie biscuits and cold cakes to fruit biscuits and egg puffs, actor Raja swears by all these bakery treats. “I also love the fruit biscuits and the karachi biscuits. Nowhere else in the country will you find indegenous bakeries at every street corner, which churn out delicious goodies.”

Street snacking
The only Hyderabadi street food that can give the Mumbai vada paos steep competition is the aloo toast. Available at most bandis around Secunderabad, this crispy browned desi sandwich, sprinkled with liberal helpings of sev, can make anyone’s mouth water. Agrees, Vinita Pittie, “I am addicted to the aloo toast and have never had anything like this elsewhere. The one available at Balaji Grand Bazaar is to die for.”

Spicy treats
Tangy, spicy and mouth watering, in other words delicious Andhra food, is what Hyderabad is all about, says Ashwin Tibrewal. On a visit to Hyderabad and have not yet tried the pulusu and the pachadi? Impossible! Any self respecting food lover has to taste these local delicacies for themselves. He says, “For me, it is all about Andhra food and anyone with a true love for food should try the different kinds of pulusus. It spicy and yummy. I can’t imagine life without it.”