If there is one dish that comforts the taste buds and soothes the soul with every mouthful, it is the biryani. The classic Indian dish, known for its aroma and heavenly taste, is one of the most famous delicacies. It is a dish that ties different cultures together and, at the same time, divides people who compete over whose version is better.

A mix of rice, meat, and spices cooked together, biryani comes in different forms. Each state has its signature version. There is no universal biryani recipe; every region and every household have its own twist. And the best example of differences in biryani is the war between Hyderabadi biryani and Lucknowi Biryani. It is the battle of David vs Goliath, and even after centuries, there is no one clear winner.

 

As the quintessential biryani lovers, at Ekdum Biryani, we don't take any side, but we decided to delve deep into the two types of biryanis and understand the difference. So, without any further ado, let's get started.

Hyderabadi Biryani

The evergreen classic, Hyderabadi Biryani is made using basmati rice as the base ingredient, and it is cooked with marinated meat (goat or chicken), along with a combination of various local spices such as cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, caraway seeds, star anise, nutmeg, cumin seeds, mace flower, etc. If you are vegetarian, you can replace the meat with your favourite vegetables and when it is combined with the spices, you can be sure it tastes as good.

The use of the spices, saffron petals, and dollops of ghee lends the biryani a distinct and strong aroma and colour (reddish). Also, the spices give this biryani a punchy flavour.

One of the most important things that make Hyderabadi biryani a hit among all food lovers is the way it is cooked, which is known as the Dum method. It involves cooking in a deep bottom vessel sealed with dough on the sides and slow-cooked over the hot coal. The seal helps soften the meat and lets the rice and the veggies soak the flavour of the spices. The coal gives a subtle smoky flavour, adding another dimension to its richness and deliciousness.

If you are already carving for a delicious plate of biryani, you can order Hyderabadi Biryani from Ekdum. You can get a wide choice on the menu; you can order yourself the most amazing mutton Hyderabadi Biryani or go with more popular chicken biryani. If you are vegetarian, do not worry, we have a vegetarian Hyderabadi Biryani option as well. No matter, what biryani you choose to order, rest assured every mouthful will keep you going for more.

Apart from the taste, what makes Ekdum’s Hyderabadi Nizami biryani special is the use of key ingredients such as basmati rice, spices, onion, curd, ghee, and saffron. At Ekdum, the Hyderabadi Nizami Biryani is served with salan that accentuates the taste of biryani.

Lucknowi Biryani

Lucknow city is every food lover's delight. And the all-time favourite Lucknowi Biryani exemplifies the Nawabi cuisine that leaves a refined biryani tasting experience on your palate. It is so popular among the locals that you have to say Biryani in the same breath when you say Lucknow.

During the Mughal reign in the region, the chefs or bawarchis and rekabdar (gourmet cooks) in the Nawabi palaces invented the art of slow cooking the meat with rice and spices became synonymous with cooking Lucknowi biryani. Today, it is popularly known as the dum pukht style.

What makes Lucknowi biryani different from the Hyderabadi biryani is that the meat is marinated for a longer period, usually overnight. The marinade consists of ginger and garlic paste, turmeric, chilli powder, yoghurt, and cashew nut paste. The longer the marination time, the richer the aroma of the biryani.

Also, in Lucknowi biryani, the rice is soaked in water for a couple of hours before cooking. This ensures that every grain is cooked well, and when it is combined with meat and spices, it absorbs all the flavours, giving you a delightful eating experience. Compared to the Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi biryani is more mellow on the spicy front, and it features the natural colours of the rice and the meat.

You can enjoy having the Lucknowi Biryani from Ekdum and get the taste of the Nawabi delicacy at is most authentic form. At Ekdum, the biryani preparation is done with utmost care using the right and the most amazing ingredients like curd, aged basmati rice, brown onion, mint, kashmiri chillies and cooked with the warm aromatic spices combined with meat or vegetables as per your preference on slow flame using the dum pukht method.

While there are a few differences, both Hyderabadi and Lucknowi biryanis are unique and special in their own way. Both will make your tummy and mind happy for sure.

So, let us just agree that no matter where the biryani originated from and how it is made, it is a feast, and you must try the different variations. You can order your favourite type of biryani, be it Lucknowi Biryani or Hyderabadi Biryani from Ekdum and enjoy a lip-smacking meal.