You have never really known a city and its culture if you have not tasted its cuisine. Especially in cities like Hyderabad with its rich history, culture, and heritage, street food is something tourists and visitors cannot miss. The sense of belongingness and authenticity that street food provides is unparalleled and street food in Hyderabad is already one of the best you can find in the country. The culinary history of the city can be dated back to centuries of rulers and their cultures but the present street food stalls brimming with business can also be dated back to the 18th century. From North Indian delicacies like chat and jalebis to modern-day fast food favourites like momos, dosas, shawarma rolls, and sweets, the street food in Hyderabad covers it all.
The Best Street Food in Hyderabad
If you have already booked your Hyderabad bus ticket and are looking for motivation to plan your trip further, here are some of the most amazing street foods that the city offers that you can’t miss.
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Hyderabadi Biryani
Even though Biryani is considered to be a Mughal dish, the Hyderabadi Biryani is a mixture of Mughal and Iranian culinary history. The famous Hyderabadi biryani is a unique version of this otherwise popular dish that involves a layer of meat cooked with semi-prepared rice using a special secret set of spices. The Hyderabad biryani is known to have originated in the kitchens of the Nizam and is usually slow-cooked to perfection in sealed utensils. You can find various versions of Hyderabadi Biryani everywhere around the city from fancy restaurants to street joints. To try the classic dish you can visit the Paradise Biryani House or choose to try local eateries at Banjara Hills.
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Haleem
It is important to try the authentic dishes that a city has to offer and a trip to Hyderabad will be incomplete without Haleem. Being a popular dish, haleem is essentially a stew of Barley, meat, and wheat combined with Haleem’s special spices and cooked slowly over the day to reach the perfect flavour. Haleem is a special dish that not only has history but also has immense religious importance. It is mostly prepared and consumed during the month of Ramadan to break the fast. You can try Haleem at Shah Ghouse Cafe or Pista House to enjoy the authenticity and flavour.
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Mirchi Bhaji
If you are looking for a quick snack and to enjoy what Hyderabad has to offer then there is no better finger food than Mirchi Bhaji. As the name suggests it is Mirchi and Bhaji which means it’s edible spice-level chillies coated with a batter and deep fried to perfection. Mostly gram flour is used to prepare the mixture of batter in Hyderabad. This is undoubtedly the most famous street food that people enjoy with a cup of tea or simply in its true demeanour. If you are lucky enough you will find these served with imli and dhania chutneys and there can never be a better combination than that. Famous shops that sell mirchi bhaji include Gokul Chat and the roadside stalls in Banjara Hills.
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Keema Samosa
The Keema Samosa are vastly different from the regular samosa found in the rest of the country. Firstly, the keema samosa has a history dating back to the Bohra Muslim community and one of the most prominent differences it has with other samosas is that the coating is usually made of wheat flour. Hyderabadi Keema Samosas are filled with keema (mostly mutton) that is prepared with a lot of onion, dhania, and pudina leaves. The filling is covered with a thin layer of wheat flour wrap and then deep fried till it is crispy and munchable. The Keema Samosas are best found near the Charminar area at hotels like the Shadab.
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Lukhmi
Lukhmi is a very similar dish to Hyderabadi Keema Samosas with the prime difference being that they are coated with refined flour dough. These are also found with keema as well as other fillings and rank high among one of the most authentic Hyderabad street foods. They undoubtedly belong to Mughal culinary history and were brought to the city by its rulers.
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Pesarattu
Tamil Nadu has its ghee roast dosas, Kerala has its meat dosas, Karnataka has its neer dosas, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have Pesarattu. Unique to this part of the country, this dosa is made using green gram batter and usually contains semolina as its filling. It is crunchy, crispy, and authentic Andhra food that you cannot miss out on. Pesarattu is mostly served with a tangy tomato chutney that you can enjoy as a heartwarming breakfast. The best Pesarattu dosas are found in the streets of Hyderabad.
Where to Find Street Food in Hyderabad?
It will not be wrong to assume that the entire city of Hyderabad is filled with heritage street food corners, because it surely is. But among them, there are a few eateries that have earned special names for themselves because of their quality, service, history, and stories. Some of them are:
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- Begum Bazaar
- DLF
- High Court Ki Jalebi
- DL Lake
- Madhapur
- Madhura Nagar
- Sindhi Colony
Conclusion
The city of Pearls, Hyderabad, is among the most visited tourist destinations in the country. However, apart from tourists, students, scholars, researchers, history enthusiasts, and businesspeople also crowd this gorgeous city. Hyderabad bus tickets are always in demand as people from nearby states visit the place for various durations. While it does offer the perfect blend of history and modernity, the streets of Hyderabad tell the tales of centuries gone by. With biryani, kebabs, and haleem, the streets act as a constant reminder to respect and celebrate the history and heritage of the city.
