Come and experience the glory of BKC’s 1KG Handi Biryani in London

If you’re looking for an equally delectable and memorable dinner to share, then BKC’s 1KG Handi Biryani is a truly remarkable experience — from Lucknow’s royal kitchens to central London. Be it in BKC Soho or BKC Marble Arch, this special dish is sure to be an all-encompassing sensory experience and an ode to traditional Dum Pukht cuisine.

 

From its aromas to its beautiful presentation, our 1KG Handi Biryani is perfect for families, friends and foodies looking for a mouthwatering meal. Let’s discuss how this dish is something so unique, and why it’s a must have for London’s bustling culinary culture.

 

The Dum Pukht Method: Sealed to perfection.

The Essence of Dum Pukht

The name Dum Phukt is derived, from the Persian phrases “Dum” (breathe in) and “Pukht” (to cook), describes the slow-cooked version of Awadhi cuisine. At BKC, the biryani is packed with marinated meat, spice and fragrant basmati rice in a clay handi and then covered with dough to prevent airflow. The slow cooking allows ingredients to cook in their own elixirs, bursting each grain of rice with powerful flavours and tantalizing aromas.

 

Why It’s Unique

• • Flavour Infusion: Because the steam is sealed, the heat distributes uniformly, letting the spices get to the rice and meat.
  • Soft Meat and Savoury Rice: Dum Pukht guarantees spongy meat and cooked rice.
  • Nutrient Preservation: The low evaporation preserves the meal’s organic nutrients and moisture, making it as nutritious as it is tasty.

 

Why the 1KG Handi Biryani?

A Feast for Sharing

1KG Handi Biryani is designed for 2–4 people, akin to the collective eating rituals of Lucknow’s Nawabi courts. This convenient portioned design is great for families, friends, or special occasions when sharing meals is what makes eating the most enjoyable.

A Theatrical Presentation

At BKC Soho and BKC Marble Arch, we re-imagined how biryani gets served. This clay handi is brought to your table, wrapped in dough, and opened in front of you for a dramatic whirlwind of aromatic fumes. This tableside reveal brings the drama and spontaneity into your dinner, which is exactly what you need to produce perfect Instagrammable moments.

 

The Clay Handi: A Legacy with Sustainable Modernity

The Sacred Tradition of the Handi.

The clay handi, a classic of Indian cuisine, has been used in slow-cooking recipes such as Dum Pukht for hundreds of years. Handis were used in ancient times to cook hearty aromatic meals at the royal courts of Lucknow because they effectively spread heat and flavours. The handi can be traced back to the cooking of Mughal India, where the porous nature of clay allowed chefs to achieve dishes of unparalleled richness and aroma.

At BKC, we follow this ancient custom and serve our biryanis in handi made from clay. Each handi not only serves as a cookware, but as a kind of ancestral mark that unites modern consumers with old foodways.

 

Supporting Local Potters

BKC is excited to be working with Potter’s Thumb, an artisan studio based in Hackney Wick in London. Every handi of clay served in our restaurants is created by their potters who harmonise traditional South Asian technique with London’s artistic spirit. It is this partnership that means our customers are able to experience not just the traditional taste of Dum Pukht cuisine, but also the real-world skill of our local London potters.

 

Empowering Artisan Communities

With this partnership, we empower London based crafters. When we ethically source our handis, we provide potters with a living wage and a viable livelihood, while preserving culture. Every clay handi at BKC has a history of tradition, family, and sustainability.

Our clay handis are made by local craftsmen in London, who create each pot by themselves using locally produced clay. With the support of these potter communities, BKC enables traditional craftsmanship to continue to be handed down from generation to generation. Every purchase also supports the wages and lives of these artisans, strengthening our social and ecological stance.

Apart from being biodegradable, handis also have a lower carbon footprint than industrial-made kitchenware. At BKC, we are excited to serve sustainability at our tables and promote the work of our own local potters.

 

Taste & Aroma

For centuries, clay pots have been used in traditional Indian cooking, valued for their spice power. Since the clay handi’s surface is porous, it slowly evaporates and imparts a unique earthy note to the biryani, enabling the spices to absorb each rice grain.

 

Health Benefits

Little Oil Needed: The absorbent qualities of clay helps to conserve the moisture and hence make the dish lighter yet flavourful.

Mineral infusion: Well-cooked clay pots will release tiny minerals such as iron and magnesium into the food to give it subtle health benefits.

 

Eco-Friendly Dining

Each clay pot is biodegradable and hand-painted by artisans in a manner that promotes sustainable and local manufacturing. When you eat at BKC, you are not only bringing a delicious meal to life but also supporting cultural preservation and equitable potter communities.

 

Taste & Aroma

Clay pots are part of Indian traditional cuisine for centuries, valued for their flavour enhancement. The clay handi has a porous texture that lets it evaporate slowly, making the biryani an earthy fragrance and letting the spices infuse every grain of rice.

Health Benefits

Reducing Oil Consumption: Since clay retains moisture, you need less oil and the dish becomes light and delicious.

Mineral Infusion: Properly glazed clay pots can release trace elements such as iron and magnesium to the food, which has subtle health benefits.

 

Serving the Biryani with BKC’s Awadhi Delights:

Kebabs: A Perfect Companion

To pair with your biryani, try BKC’s grilled kebabs cooked with Lucknow’s signature spices. Options such as Galouti Kebab and Seekh Kebab have smokey, meaty flavours that go well with the rice.

Chai: The Finishing Touch

Finish off your meal with BKC’s Karak Chai or Kashmiri Pink Chai. They’re not only soothing but they are also a great contrast to the flavourful biryani.

 

A Taste of Lucknow in Central London

Our two restaurants, BKC Soho and BKC Marble Arch, are a proud partner in bringing Lucknow’s rich flavours and cuisines to London’s international dining scene. Our 1KG Handi Biryani is a mix of both traditional and modernity with the splendour of Nawabi cuisine at your fingertips.

Whether you are looking for something different, throwing a party or just enjoying a delicious meal, BKC’s 1KG Handi Biryani will make you feel the way to your heart. So, gather the family and friends, and let the party begin!

 

Stop By BKC Soho Or BKC Marble Arch Today!