When you step on the land of Agra, the heart first drowns in the love of Taj Mahal. Yet, if you are a foodie, you will find that the city’s real charm is the delectable cuisines and delicacies it offers. In this article, we will take you to the old streets of the city to explore Agra’s famous food and sweets!
The food of Agra is the taste of its culture, the flavor of history, and the pulse of the hearts of the people. The food here has come out of the royal kitchen of the Mughals, but even today it reaches the plate of the common man with the same passion. Now, let’s see how the history of Agra has influenced its food.
Influence of History on Agra’s Famous Food
In the royal courts of Mughal emperors, food didn’t just fill the stomach but was a masterpiece created to tantalise the taste buds of the royalty.
The fragrance of tandoori chicken, biryani, and korma still attract food lovers while they roam near the famous eating places in Agra.
However, Mughal history is not the source of Agra’s famous food recipes. With time, when the mix of traders, sages and common people increased in this city, the streets here also started creating their own tastes. From here came the sweetness of Petha, the spiciness of Chaat, and snacks like Bedai-Jalebi, which have now become the identity of Agra in the whole of North India.
On one hand, the royal grandeur of Nawabi food, on the other hand, the simplicity of dishes prepared by the hands of common people, is the real specialty of Agra. This city teaches us that history lives not only in books, but also in the plate and in every bite that becomes a part of our taste.
Top 10 Agra Famous Food Worth Trying
These are the top 10 Agra’s famous food items that you can enjoy in Agra’s famous food places and restaurants:
1. Petha
2. Bedai and Jalebi
3. Chaat
4. Kachori
5. Jalebi
6. Paratha
7. Tandoori Chicken
8. Mughlai Cuisine
9. Dalmoth
10. Shawarma
11. Paneer Tikka
1. Petha – The identity of Agra’s sweetness
When we take the name of Agra, it is inevitable to mention Petha. This white, transparent and juicy sweet is Agra’s famous sweet and every tourist carries it back home as a proof of having visited the place.
Petha is mainly made from pumpkin (ash gourd), which is boiled in sugar syrup and molded into a sweet form. Nowadays new varieties like Kesar, Angoori, Paan, Chocolate and Sandwich Petha are also available in the market. The Panchi Petha brand has given this sweet an international identity.
2. Bedai and Jalebi – Morning starts with taste
The streets of Agra start smelling of delicious Bedai and Jalebi right from the morning. Bedai, a type of fried puri, is made with spicy urad dal stuffing and is served with a spicy potato curry. The combination happens to be a famous breakfast in Agra.
Paired with piping hot crispy jalebi fried in pure desi ghee and dipped in sugar syrup, the breakfast is absolutely royal. If you visit Agra and don’t try this combination, the experience is incomplete.
3. Chaat – The Chatpata Color of Agra
The streets of Agra are incomplete without chaat. Be it tikki, golgappas, dahi bhalla, and bhel puri, everything has a different flavour.
Sadar Bazaar, Chaat Wali Gali, and Daya Chaat Bhandar are some of the famous eating places in Agra for chaat. When paired with curd, different types of chutneys, and spices is one of the most mouthwatering delicacies of Agra.
4. Kachori – A combination of spices and crunchiness
If you love spicy food, then you must try the kachori of Agra. Stuffed with lentils or peas, this kachori is crispy from outside and extremely tasty from inside.
It is often served with a spicy potato tomato curry. It is not a snack but a complete meal and one of Agra’s famous food items. It tastes amazing, especially with tea in the morning or evening.
5. Jalebi – Sweetness in every corner
We have mentioned jalebi earlier, but its popularity in Agra is so high that it deserves a separate place. Hot jalebis are fried in every street, every corner and their aroma can be felt far away.
The size of the jalebi here is bigger and the taste is sweeter. Jalebi fried in desi ghee becomes the life of every occasion from early morning to festivals.
6. Paratha – A thali full of variety
Paratha Gali is a special place in Agra where you can eat dozens of types of parathas, potato, cabbage, radish, paneer, mixed veg, and even chocolate and cheese parathas.
These parathas are served with butter and are accompanied by curd, pickle and chutney. This experience is in no way less than Chandni Chowk of Delhi. So, it happens to be in our list of Agra’s famous food items!
7. Tandoori Chicken – A symbol of Mughal flavours
If you are a non-vegetarian, do try Agra’s Tandoori Chicken. The chicken pieces are marinated in curd and selected spices. Then they are cooked in a tandoor that induces its own earthy flavour in the recipe.
Rambabu Parantha Wala and Johnson Ganj serve the best tandoori chicken in Agra. Eat piping hot tandoori chicken with onions and green chutney and enjoy a delectable experience at Agra’s famous restaurants.
8. Mughalai food – A legacy of Nawabi flavours
Mughlai food in Agra i.e. recipes sourced from the Mughal kitchens take the concept of pleasure eating to a whole new level. Biryani, nihari, kebabs, korma, and shahi tukda are some of the most mouthwatering dishes cooked in Agra’s famous food places.
The biryani here is made with aromatic rice, spicy meat and saffron, while the thick gravy of korma is so delicious that it lingers in every bite.
9. Dalmoth – The Pride of Breakfast
Dalmoth is a dry and crispy snack made from a mixture of moong dal, spices and dry fruits roasted in oil. It is not only eaten with tea, but tourists also pack it and take it home.
Agra’s Dalmoth is spicy, sweet and sour and has a completely different taste. Baluji Wale and Gupta Store are counted among its famous shops.
10. Shawarma – Local variant of the global taste
In recent years, shawarma has also made its special place in Agra’s street food. This roll wrapped with roasted chicken pieces, mayonnaise, salad and spices in tandoori roti has become the first choice of today’s young generation.
It tastes amazing at many shops in areas like Sadar Bazaar and Sanjay Place in Agra.
11. Bonus Recipe: Paneer Tikka – Vegetarian’s choice
Paneer Tikka is an ideal option for vegetarians. The spicy paneer chunks roasted over charcoal and served with green chutney and onions is something that every food lover will adore.
FAQs of Agra’s Famous Food
1. What are the must-try local food in Agra?
There are various local food options in Agra, and most are incredible. Depending on your mood and the flavor you crave, some must-try foods include petha, shawarma, paratha, Bhalla, paneer tikka, tandoori chicken, and other Mughlai delicacies.
2. Which are the famous eating places in Agra?
Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Raja Ki Mandi are prominent among other street food centers in Agra.
3. What makes Agra’s Bedai and Jalebi special, and where can I get them?
A delicious mix of spice and sweetness, the combination of bedai and jalebi is an amazing breakfast among locals in Agra. Usually served on street stands, bedai is a puffy bread that is fried and served with green chutney mixed with potato and curd. Jalebi, the sticky sweet dessert, compliments the flavor as a great companion. That is why it is the most sought-after breakfast in Agra.
4. Are there any hidden gems for authentic Mughlai cuisine in Agra?
Pinch of Spice located in Tajganj Agra, the Mughal Room located in Hotel Clarks Shiraz, 54, Taj Road, Agra Cantt and Peshawari located in ITC Mughal, Fatehabad Road, are a few gems when it comes to Mughlai Cuisine in Agra.
5. Where is the best place to taste Agra’s famous sweet items?
Bhagat Halwai and Panchi Paratha are two popular places in Agra for Sweet.
6. What kind of street food is mostly consumed in Agra?
Chaat, Kachori and Bedai are a few items of street food mostly liked by people of Agra.
