From the heart of Lucknow to the streets of London: A celebration of authentic Lucknowi flavours and timeless tradition

To truly experience the heart of a city, you must immerse yourself in its bustling bazaars, where every scent, sight, and sound tells the story of its people. In Lucknow, the vibrant and historic Yahiyaganj Spice Market serves as the heart of the city’s culinary magic. Here, the air is thick with the intoxicating aromas of saffron, cardamom, and cloves, the very lifeblood of Lucknow’s legendary cuisine. At Biryani Kebab Chai (BKC) in London, we bring this essence of Lucknow to life, recreating the centuries-old traditions of Awadhi cooking, using the same spices that have flavoured the city’s iconic dishes for generations. Every dish we serve is infused with the spirit of Lucknow—its history, its passion, its culinary soul.

A plate of Lucknow in London:
Every dish at BKC is more than just food—it’s a journey into the heart of Lucknow, where flavours are delicately balanced, textures are artfully crafted, and every bite tells a story. Awadhi cuisine is a symphony of subtlety, where slow-cooked dishes, rich aromas, and handpicked spices come together in perfect harmony. From the royal kitchens of the Nawabs to the vibrant street food of Lucknow’s lanes, our menu reflects this glorious culinary heritage, offering an authentic taste of Lucknow in the heart of London.
The story of BKC is deeply intertwined with the bustling Yahiyaganj Spice Market, the lifeblood of Lucknow’s gastronomy. This market is a treasure trove of vibrant, fragrant spices—black cardamom, star anise, nutmeg, and saffron—that form the foundation of the iconic dishes served at BKC. As you walk through Yahiyaganj, the air is alive with the heady scents of spices freshly ground, much like the moment you take your first bite at BKC—where each flavour, each aroma transports you directly to Lucknow.

Biryani: The heartbeat of Lucknow:
No dish represents Lucknow’s rich culinary tradition better than the biryani, a masterpiece of slow-cooked perfection. At BKC, our Lakhnawi Lamb Biryani and Awadhi Chicken Biryani are a celebration of the dum pukht technique—an ancient method where basmati rice and marinated meats are layered with delicate spices and slow-cooked in a sealed handi. Each grain of rice absorbs the essence of saffron, cinnamon, and rose water, creating a fragrant, tender, and exquisitely flavoured dish. With every bite, you’re transported to the royal kitchens of the Nawabs, where culinary masterpieces were crafted with patience and love.
Our biryani is more than just a dish—it’s a sensory experience. The slow-cooking process allows the spices to weave their magic, infusing the tender meat and fluffy rice with their deep, aromatic notes. Each bite is a testament to the art of Awadhi cuisine, where subtlety reigns supreme, and every flavour lingers like a beautiful memory of Lucknow’s fragrant spice markets.

Kebabs: A tender love affair with flavour:
The kebabs at BKC are a love letter to Lucknow’s storied history, where tender meats and meticulous seasoning come together in perfect unison. The Galouti Kebab, famously created for a toothless Nawab, is a masterpiece of texture and taste. Marinated with over 130 secret spices from Lucknow’s Rakabganj spice market, these melt-in-the-mouth kebabs embody the richness and refinement that define Awadhi cuisine. The meat, softened to perfection using the galawat technique, bursts with the layered flavours of black cardamom, clove, and saffron, transporting you straight to the opulent banquet halls of Lucknow.
At BKC, we embrace the artistry of the Seekh Kebab, where tender meat is skewered and grilled over an open flame. The Dhungar (smoking) technique imparts a deep, smoky flavour, elevating the experience to another level. Every kebab is carefully marinated, allowing the aromatic spices to penetrate the meat, creating a juicy, charred delight that bursts with flavour. The Dahi Ke Kebab, a vegetarian offering, is no less magical, with its creamy, spiced curd filling, crisp exterior, and soft, luscious centre. Each kebab is a tribute to Lucknow’s rich tradition of tender perfection.

Chai and street food: The soul of Lucknow’s streets:
There’s something magical about sipping masala chai in the streets of Lucknow, and at BKC, we recreate this experience in London. Our chai, brewed with cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, is served in traditional kulhads, capturing the warmth and nostalgia of Sharma Ji Ki Chai, Lucknow’s famous tea stall. Paired with Bun Makhan, a soft, buttery bun, the chai experience transports you to the bustling lanes of Lucknow, where life slows down over a warm cup and a good conversation.
Our street food offerings, like the Samosa Chaat and Sev Puri, are an ode to the vibrant chaat culture of Lucknow’s bazaars. Crispy samosas meet the tangy sweetness of tamarind chutney, the cooling creaminess of yogurt, and the punchy spices of cumin and coriander. The textures—crisp, soft, creamy—explode in your mouth, bringing the chaat stalls of Lucknow to life in every bite.

Kathi Rolls: A twist of Lucknow in every bite:
A gift from the British Raj, the Kathi Roll has evolved into a beloved street food favourite, and at BKC, we elevate it with the authentic flavours of Lucknow. Our Paratha is crisped to perfection on a tawa, then filled with tender, juicy kebabs, fresh onions, and a dash of tangy kasundi. Finished with a sprinkle of chaat masala, these rolls are a perfect blend of spicy, savoury, and crispy, offering a taste of Lucknow’s streets wrapped in a flaky paratha.

A culinary journey from market to plate:
At BKC, our dishes are not just about satisfying hunger—they’re about telling a story, a story that starts in the bustling spice markets of Lucknow and ends on a plate in the heart of London. Each dish is a tribute to the centuries-old traditions of Awadhi cooking, crafted with the same dedication and precision as they were in the Nawab’s kitchens. The spices, sourced directly from Lucknow, are the very soul of our menu, giving life to every kebab, biryani, and chai.
By bringing these ingredients and techniques to London, we don’t just offer a meal—we offer a culinary experience, a chance to travel to the heart of Lucknow with every bite. The dum cooking, the delicate bhunao, the aromatic dhungar—these are not just techniques, they are expressions of a culture, a reflection of Lucknow’s deep-rooted love affair with food.
At Biryani Kebab Chai London, we invite you to join us on this journey, where every plate is a celebration of Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage, and every bite is a step closer to the magic of Awadhi cuisine.