When individuals discuss Kanpur, the first thing that often pops into their mind is the flourishing leather industry. However, beyond the leather, the city is famous for its traditional and delicious food.
There is no denying that Kanpur has found a spot on the fodmap thanks to its delicious street food, traditional thalis, historic sweet shops, and spicy Mughlai delicacies.
Top Kanpur Famous Food You Must Try
If you are planning to visit Kanpur for the first time and you must try these Kanpur famous foods:
Thaggu Ke Laddoo – A Sweetness With a Story
No further discussion on the Kanpur famous food can go without mentioning Thaggu Ke Laddoo. This famed sweet shop is famous for its hilarious tagline “Aisa koi saga nahi, jisko humne thaga nahi” and serves probably one of the best laddoos in the city! Made with khoya, suji and dry fruits, these laddoos are rich, soft and just plain addictive.
And it is not just the taste, the shop’s legacy and traditional methods make it one of the best sweet shop Kanpur has to offer.
Biryani – Fragrant, Spiced And Truly Royal
From spicy boti biryani to classic Mughlai styles, Kanpur biryanis have huge flavours cooked using age-old techniques.
Popular locations like Biryani King and Mughlai Biryani House serve some of the most satisfying biryanis you’ll ever have, loaded with succulent meat, fragrant rice, and spices that warm the soul. With all of that taken into account, it is easy to see why this dish is in the upper echelons of Kanpur famous foods.
Shami Kebabs – Soft, Spicy, and Juicy
As one of the gems in Kanpur’s non-veg street-food scene, Shami kebabs are loved for their soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Made from minced meat and chana dal, these kebabs are a delicacy often served with mint chutney or roomali roti.
Try one, two, or three of these kebabs out at Zayka Kabab Corner or Kabab Corner. Kanpur kebabs are right at home among the kebabs of Lucknow and are essential to Kanpur’s famous food narrative.
Sultani Dal – Royal Lentil Soup
Another less-known yet delicious part of Kanpur’s traditional meals is Sultani dal. Using pigeon peas (toor dal), heavy cream and a tempering of spices and herbs, Sultani dal has a soup-like consistency, and is usually eaten with jeera rice or naan.
As such, the royal dal, Sultani dal, is an important showcase as part of the Kanpur famous food appreciation, outside of ordinary street snacks.
Imarti, Jalebi & Rabri – The Sweet Trifecta
Kanpur’s dessert options are plentiful. Imarti is a cousin to Jalebi, made from urad dal batter and with a stronger, nuttier flavour. While Jalebi, the official national favourite, is crispy, juicy, and oh-so-soaked in sugar syrup.
For dessert, have some Rabri, a dessert made of thickened milk and is garnished with pistachios and cardamom.
Gopal Sweets, Raja Sweets, and Kesar Sweets are the best sweet shops Kanpur has. These shops have been making desserts for decades, and one of the best sweet shops Kanpur has ever had.
Chaat – The Street King
In Kanpur’s local food culture, there are many iconic dishes, but one ubiquitous dish is chaat. Whether you have aloo tikki, papdi chaat, or dahi puri, chaat hits every note: sweet, spicy, tangy, and crunchy.
Get to know Kanpur’s style of this North Indian classic by visiting Pandit Chaat Corner or Chaat Bhandar, both frequented by locals and tourists. Just look at the ownership of the shop, making Kanpur’s representation of chaat that much more popular.
Bun Tikki, Kachoris & Samosas – Morning to Evening Snacks
Bun Tikki, which is essentially a spicy potato patty inside a buttered bun, is Kanpur’s answer to burgers – we’ll say it might even be better. The flavour will explode if you smother it in tamarind and mint chutney.
When it comes to these deep-fried pieces of heaven, Kachori Gali and Samosa Corner will show you who to go to in Kanpur.
Explore Other Food Specialities In Kanpur
If you want a culture shock from Indian cuisine, Chung Fa is a Chinese restaurant with Indo-Chinese offerings such as chilli paneer, fried rice and Hakka noodles.
If you want something to satisfy your sweet or sour cravings afterwards, Monkey Chaurasia will satisfy your need for paan, while Banarasi Tea Stall will offer you hot tea with which you can snack on in the evening.
Exploring Kanpur Famous Food Street
Every country has one city famous for its local or traditional food. India has Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kapur. In order to get the complete food experience, we recommend you visit a famous Kanpur food place like either Naveen Market or Sisamau Bazaar. Both places are great combinations of traditional ingredients, local snacks, and, of course, food stalls where you can enjoy street-side dining!
Final Bite
From sweet to spicy, and everything in between, Kanpur famous food is truly a treat for all of the senses. Whether you’re on a food expedition in the city, or taking in a city for the first time, you will not be disappointed with these iconic foods and even more legendary restaurants and cafes.
So, the next time you’re in Kanpur, make sure to skip the ordinary and go straight to the flavor of Kanpur! You’ll thank us, and your digestive system will thank you too!