Agra is one of the high spirited tourist cities in India which is well known for its world heritage site that also accounts for an epic love tale carried by beautiful monuments- The Taj Mahal. Apart from delicious Mughali cuisines Agra’s famous food tour comprises endless sugary desserts that are full of thick juicy syrups. You can’t hold your healthy diet once you start your food trip in Agra as the popular foods of Agra are full of spices and oily fillings that combine every touch of flavor from their cuisines into popular snacks. Here I have listed the top 10 foods of Agra that you must not miss at any cost if you really want to get the taste of real Agra’s food.
# Petha
Petha is a popular sweet in Agra, India, made from ash gourd, sugar syrup, and various flavorings. It is a soft, translucent candy that is famous throughout India and is a must-try food item for anyone visiting Agra.
The origin of Petha dates back to the Mughal era, when it was first prepared in the royal kitchens. Over time, it became a favorite among the locals, and today it is one of Agra's most iconic foods.
There are many different varieties of Petha available in Agra, including plain, kesar, and anguri flavors. Kesar Petha is flavored with saffron, while anguri Petha is shaped like small grapes and has a slightly different texture.
Petha is available in many shops and stalls throughout Agra, but the most famous place to buy it is Panchhi Petha, which has been selling the sweet since 1950. The shop is located in the busy Kinari Bazaar and offers a wide variety of Petha flavors, as well as other traditional sweets and snacks.
# DalmothAgra is one of the unique cities in India where the starters or snacks are much more illustrious than the main course meals. Dalmoth is one of such examples that comes from the lentils. These are like the spicy indian flakes that have a mixture of nuts, spices and oil added in it for enhancing the flavour of the dalmoth. It is a traditional crispy, spicy, and a little bit greasy namkeen that is best suited on the evening tarys of typical Indian tea and dalmoth snack time. The best Dalmoth can be found in Panchi Petha and Baluganj in Agra. This top snack of Agra tastes best with a cup of tea to satiate your cravings for something crunchy and light.
# ParathaParatha is a popular flatbread in India and is a common breakfast and snack item in Agra. Paratha is made by rolling out the dough into thin flat rounds and cooking it on a hot griddle until it is crispy and golden brown.
In Agra, paratha is often served with a side of spicy potato curry or chutney, which adds a delicious and flavorful twist to the dish. It is also commonly stuffed with different ingredients, such as paneer, cauliflower, and potato, to create a variety of flavors and textures.
There are many different places in Agra where one can find delicious parathas, from street vendors to traditional restaurants. Ram Babu Paratha Bhandar is a popular street food vendor in Agra that has been serving up delicious parathas for over 30 years. The parathas here are made fresh to order and are cooked on a hot griddle until they are crispy and golden brown.
# BedhaiBedhai is a popular breakfast dish in Agra. It is a savory dish that is made with deep-fried dough balls called bedhai that are stuffed with a spicy lentil filling.
The bedhai dough is made with a combination of wheat flour, semolina, and yogurt, which gives it a soft and fluffy texture. The spicy lentil filling is made with a combination of yellow lentils, spices, and herbs, which gives it a delicious and flavorful taste.
Bedhai is often served with a side of potato curry or chutney, which adds a spicy and tangy flavor to the dish. It is a popular breakfast item in Agra and can be found in many local restaurants and street food stalls.
One of the most famous places to try bedhai in Agra is Baluganj Bedhai Wala. This street food vendor has been serving up delicious bedhai for over 60 years and is a popular breakfast spot among locals and tourists alike. The bedhai here is served with a side of spicy potato curry and is cooked fresh to order, ensuring that it is always hot and crispy.
# Mughlai FoodMughlai cuisine is a type of Indian cuisine that originated in the Mughal Empire, which ruled India from the early 16th to mid-19th century. Some popular Mughlai dishes from Agra include biryani, kebabs, korma, and tandoori chicken. These dishes are typically made with a combination of aromatic spices, herbs, and meats, which gives them a delicious and distinct flavor.
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish that is cooked with a variety of meats or vegetables, along with a combination of spices, such as saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon. It is often served with a side of raita, which is a yogurt-based condiment that helps to balance out the spices in the dish.
Kebabs are a type of grilled meat dish that is marinated in a combination of spices and yogurt before being cooked on a skewer over an open flame. Some popular kebab dishes in Agra include seekh kebab, which is made with minced meat, and chicken tikka, which is made with boneless chicken pieces.
Korma is a creamy curry dish that is made with a combination of meat, vegetables, and a rich and flavorful sauce. The sauce is typically made with a combination of yogurt, cream, and ground nuts, which gives it a rich and creamy texture.
Tandoori chicken is a popular dish that is marinated in a combination of yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor, which is a traditional clay oven. The chicken is cooked until it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and is often served with a side of mint chutney.
# ChaatChaat is a very popular delicacy in Agra. Chaat typically consists of a combination of crispy fried dough, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and a variety of chutneys and spices. Some popular chaat dishes in Agra include aloo tikki chaat, which is made with mashed potatoes and topped with chutneys and spices, and papdi chaat, which is made with crispy fried dough and topped with yogurt, chutneys, and spices.
Other popular chaat dishes in Agra include dahi bhalla, which is a dish made with lentil dumplings that are soaked in yogurt and topped with chutneys and spices, and samosa chaat, which is made with crispy fried samosas that are topped with chutneys, yogurt, and spices.
Chaat is a beloved snack in Agra and is often enjoyed as a light meal or as an evening snack. It is a must-try for anyone visiting the city and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning foodie's taste buds.
# Tandoori ChickenSince, no matter how delicious and tempting the snacks are, the craving of a meal can only be satiated with a wholesome food just like the Agra’s pride- Tandoori Chicken. It is a dish made with marinated chicken that is cooked in a clay oven, called a tandoor, which gives it a smoky and charred flavor.
The marinade typically consists of yogurt and spices, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. The chicken is then marinated for several hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Once the chicken is marinated, it is skewered and placed in the tandoor oven, where it is cooked at high heat until it is tender and juicy. The result is a flavorful and succulent dish that is beloved by locals and visitors alike.
In Agra, tandoori chicken is often served with naan bread, rice, and a variety of chutneys and sauces. It is a must-try dish for anyone visiting the city and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
# Dahi BhallaDahi Bhalla is a popular street food snack in Agra. It is a dish made with lentil dumplings that are soaked in yogurt and topped with chutneys and spices.
To make Dahi Bhalla, lentils are soaked in water overnight and then ground into a smooth paste. The paste is then mixed with spices and deep-fried until it is crispy and golden brown.
Once the dumplings are fried, they are soaked in a mixture of yogurt and spices, which gives them a tangy and creamy flavor. The dish is then topped with a variety of chutneys, including tamarind and mint, and sprinkled with spices, such as cumin and chili powder.
Dahi Bhalla is a beloved snack in Agra and is often enjoyed as a light meal or as an evening snack. It is a must-try for anyone visiting the city and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning foodie's taste buds.
# JalebiJalebi is a must-try dish in Agra and is often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations. It is a favorite among locals and visitors alike and is sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth. It is made by deep-frying a batter made with flour and yogurt, which is then soaked in a sugar syrup flavored with saffron and cardamom.
To make Jalebi, a batter is made with flour, yogurt, and a small amount of baking powder. The batter is then left to ferment for several hours, which gives it a slightly tangy taste and a light and airy texture.
Once the batter is ready, it is poured into a piping bag and then piped directly into hot oil. The batter forms a spiral shape as it cooks and becomes crispy and golden brown.
Once the Jalebi is cooked, it is then soaked in a sugar syrup flavored with saffron and cardamom, which gives it a sweet and aromatic flavor. It is typically served hot and is enjoyed as a dessert or as a sweet snack.
# LassiLassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink that is popular in Agra. It is made by blending yogurt, water, and sugar with optional additions of fruit or spices.
To make Lassi, fresh yogurt is whisked with water until it becomes smooth and frothy. Sugar is added to taste and the mixture is then blended until it is smooth and creamy. Depending on personal preference, fruits like mango or banana can be added to the mixture, as well as spices like cardamom or saffron.
Lassi is a refreshing drink that is often enjoyed as a cool treat on hot summer days. It is also often served alongside spicy dishes to help balance out the heat. In Agra, Lassi is a popular drink that can be found at many local street vendors and restaurants, and is a must-try for anyone visiting the city.