Food in Hyderabad, The Old City: A Foodie’s Delight
For a culinary enthusiast, Hyderabad is a treasure trove. Food in Hyderabad is not just for your tongue but for your all five senses. Influenced by the Mughals, Persians and the Telugu culture, Hyderabad evolved with a unique taste of its own. The best part about Hyderabadi food is that it satisfies the stomach without burning the pocket. Here is a quick list of seven ‘must-have’ food when in Hyderabad!
Biryani – Of course no-one can imagine leaving Hyderabad without trying the famous Hyderabadi Biryani. The recipe of the yellow tinged long grained rice was passed on to India by the Mughals who ruled over the Indian subcontinent hundreds of years ago. The Hyderabadi Biryani is rich in flavour and is served with Raita and Mirch ka Salaan. It differs from the Biryani found in northern or eastern India. The aroma is light but the sourness is more pronounced. In most of the outlets, one plate is sufficient to feed two hungry mouths. The degree of sourness may vary from one outlet to another. Paradise is the famous, expensive, chic and modern Hyderabadi Biryani joint whereas Shadaab Hotel is an equally famous but authentic one.
Pocket Pinch : INR 270-INR370.
Dried Fish – On the last leg of our Hyderabad tour, we saw many shops selling dried fish. It was clearly popular. We did not get a chance to taste them but our good friend Ankita Sonawane of Transforming Escapes helped us later by sharing her knowledge: Dried fish are super salty and added to preparations in very small quantity just to retain the flavour. It has a very strong stinky odour to it but those who have developed a taste for it find it delicious. Purva Kini of @being_philosophical adds that the best way to enjoy dried fish is by grilling them on charcoal.
Chilli Pepper Fritters – Locally known as Mirchi Ke Bhajiye, this is a famous street food of Hyderabad. Almost in every nook and corner of the city, vendors can be found selling it. Seeds are removed from the chilli peppers and the pod is stuffed with spiced coconut fillings. It is then coated with a batter of chickpea flour and deepfried in oil.
Pocket Pinch : INR 5 – 10.
Biscuits – The city of nawabs is also popular for serving excellent baked goodies. Osmania biscuits, jam biscuits are just some of the varieties of biscuits available in the bakeries. They are mostly very dry and powdery to the bite. If you are looking for something smooth and melt-in-the-mouth, try the Osmania biscuits, or go for the Kopra for something fruity and hearty. The Nimrah food joint near Charminar is pretty famous for serving these biscuits. The Karachi Bakery is another wildly popular choice of locals and tourists alike.
Pocket Pinch : INR 3-INR 6 for each biscuit.
Dilkhush – This is another delicacy made of bread. A gigantic bun bread stuffed with juicy coconut and cashew is cut into wedges. Atleast those are the two ingredients we successfully identified. It tastes sweet and is a great way to kill those small bouts of hunger. These are mostly available in all the bakeries of town.
Pocket Pinch : INR 12.
Irani Chai – The Iranian influence over Deccan India is noticeable in the cup of tea served in Hyderabad. The Irani Chai or Irani tea is extremely sweet, thick, milk tea which the modern health conscious Indian generation would prefer to ignore. Nevertheless, it is still consumed widely in the old city of Hyderabad. Almost every tea stall sells this version of tea. Hey, even if you are very health conscious, having just one cup of sweet delight would not kill you, right?
Pocket Pinch : INR 7 for half cup to 12 for a full cup.
Khubani ka Meetha – This is a dessert best enjoyed after a sumptuous meal of Biryani. Apricots are boiled until it attains a syrupy texture. The semi solid apricots are then topped with cream and garnished with cashew and almond. In case you are a dessert fan like me, the taste buds in your tongue will thank you forever!
Pocket Pinch : INR 70.
Did I miss anything? Did my article help you? Let’s talk! Comment below and open up the conversation!
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Tania Banerjee
Tania is a freelance writer based in India who tinkers with words here and there but mostly focused on travel, food, arts and crafts. She writes for several Indian dailies and magazines.
38 Comments
1944april
I fancy the chillie pepper fritters – love both item!
Tania Mukherjee
Unfortunately, we did not get an opportunity to taste them. Everytime we spotted them being sold we were already full with food! The next time I go, the first thing we try will be these fritters.
usathroughoureyes
So many foods to try.
Tania Mukherjee
I am sure there are more. Only if we could stay longer! Hopefully we will go back in a few months again!
usathroughoureyes
Its so nice the way you present your journeys. We feel like we’re there with you. Each time we see the foods though we get hungry, lol.
Tania Mukherjee
Come to India, it’s a heaven for foodies! 🙂
usathroughoureyes
We can only imagine how delicious the foods are. Hopefully one day we’ll get there to sit down with you for a smorgasbord.
Tania Mukherjee
I am waiting for that day!! 🙂
usathroughoureyes
Hi Tania. Sorry for the delay but we have been out on another journey and internet was hit and miss. You watch and see that day is coming for you!!!
Tania Mukherjee
Internet-less journeys are the best! Hope you had a gala time!
usathroughoureyes
It was so relaxing Tania. Thank you for being with us.
Tania Mukherjee
I will always be with you guys!
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Carmy @ carmyy.com
I love Biryani and would definitely want to taste their version! I actually haven’t heard of or tried Khubani ka Meetha and now I’m wondering if I can get that here in Toronto. I would love to see how it tastes!
Tania Mukherjee
I highly doubt you would get Khubani ka meetha in Toronto! I live in India, yet, I had never heard of it until I travelled to Hyderabad!
Paige Wunder
So many delicious looking things! I would not be a fan of the dried fish though. That dessert sounds more like my kind of treat! I have a sweet tooth for sure!
Tania Mukherjee
South India is not that great with desserts, head to Kolkata, its a sweet lover’s Mecca!
Ozzy
A foodie’s haven! Sampling the food of Hyderabad was the highlight of my trip but that was long ago. The city seems to be growing in all terms and food must be getting even better. Hyderabadi Biryani will always be a favourite alongside Haleem. 🙂
Tania Mukherjee
Isn’t haleem prepared only during Ramzan? Will have to check next time I am there!
Thelittlelai: Beyond limits
Wow, reading this blog post made me hungry. It’s good to actually know about the food in other country as this will give us an idea on what food to choose if we get the chance to visit the place. Anyway, these foods look so tempting and luscious and I would love to try all of them. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Tania Mukherjee
Get ready to gain weight when you land in India! 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay
Hyderabad is indeed a city that brings alive the aromas and flavours of an exotic cuisine that has its roots in history. Of course Biriyani holds the pride of place. Though being vegetarian, we always make a beeline for Hyderabadi Biriyani(Veg) whenever we are there. Another favourite has been Karachiwala Biscuits. Of course now these are available everywhere and makes it easier to gorge on them.
Tania Mukherjee
Yes read a lot about biscuits of ‘Karachi bakery’ but missed tasting it! We are definitely not going to miss on our second visit to Hyderabad!
Candy & Crystal
I am getting so hungry from reading this 🙂 I am a rice lover (growing up in Japan, rice came with every meal) and I would love to try an authentic Biryani. I’m used to eating white rice, so eating yellow rice sounds and looks like it would have so much flavor compared to white rice.
Tania Mukherjee
India is where you should head to if you are a rice lover! Come fast! I am sure you would love all the variations of rice here.
Ami Bhat
The Biryani of course, is the most popular among these. Have tried Kubani ka meetha but it is a tad bit too meetha for me. For any foodie, Hyderabad has tons and tons of options. Glad you shared a few of these.
Tania Mukherjee
Haha, I have such a sweet tooth, I can never have enough of sweets!! No wonder I miss my hometown’s (Kolkata-Howrah) sweets so much in Mumbai!
th3mov3r
Yum!! Can’t wait to travel to try new foods.
Tania Mukherjee
That’s the spirit! 🙂
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Sebastian Vaz
Absolutely agree with you. I visit Hyderabad often and love the food there. Apart from Shadaab and Paradise, even Sarvi and Kabul Darbar are very good for biriyani.
Tania Banerjee
I never read or heard about those two restaurants. I will definitely visit both the outlets the next time I go there and present my opinion here! 🙂
Justin Cox
I have to visit Hyderabad once every year for my eye treatment at LV Prasad. Must try these foods on my next visit. Thanks for sharing this information.
Tania Banerjee
Yes you must. May I know what is the exact problem with your eye and under which doctor are you receiving treatment?
Justin Cox
Tania, it is Dr. Ramesh Kekunnaya.
Tania Banerjee
Thank you very much. If I am ever in need I will know whom to contact! It’s so hard to decide when it comes to doctors and treatment. Just a few days back I found out a person, rather a firm, selling Google reviews of private hospitals at INR 10 per review. Can you imagine how low the world has stooped?
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