Be its architectural marvels, hospitality, literature, beauty, traditions or the command of cooking and impeccable knowledge of spices, the city of Nawabs never ceases to charm. There wouldn’t be anyone unaware of Awadhi cooking. Too many vegetarian dishes adding the royalty of this prestige of this place. Lucknow particularly is famous for its non-vegetarian dishes. Mughlai food is popular in almost the entire country and even across.
It would be almost impossible to find a person who says he doesn’t have heard about the Tundey Kababi. Yes, Tundey Kababi which made this city earn fame and dignity.
Its juicy kabab adds the glory of Awadh. Back in centuries, it was introduced and we should thank the king without teeth. Sounds funny but this is how it goes.
In the 17th century, Awadhi kababs reached out to new heights. Nawab Asa-Ud-Daula, was extremely fond of Awadhi food and it was when he lost all his teeth, he started craving badly for some mouth-watering dishes. Many chefs tried to serve him dishes which he could have without even his teeth, but alas, they all failed. Then came “Tundey Kababi”. Nawab Asa Ud Daula enjoyed the juicy Tundey Kababi and gave him the royal patronage. The result is the marvelous fame at today’s time.
”Tundey”…this word sound quite weird as tundey clearly means someone with just one hand. Then why this is named after such a famous food joint.
Well, there is a real interesting but tragic story behind it.
Normally in Hindi, a person with any hand disability in which he isn’t able to use a hand is called ‘Tundey’.
And so, Haji Murad was known as Tundey as he was a man with just one hand. Murad’s son Rais Ahmad says that his father lost his left hand while flying the kite.
Until 17th Century kebabs used to be much chewy and not that mushy as they are now. The texture of kebabs changed when Nawab Asa-Ud-Daula’s rule came into existence. Asa-Ud-Daula was very serious about his every single matter. Be it management affairs or food. It was this time when a different texture of kababs was introduced. Nawab Asa-Ud-Daula was fond of eating. In his old age, he began to lose his teeth but his love for food was never-ending.
He ordered his khansamas to bring something mushy and soft which needs no chewing and yes, the flavours should be unexceptionally tempting. He apparently set up a contest for this where the chef who makes soft and delicious dish would be granted patronage.
Khansamas began to experiment in their kitchen to serve the yummiest dish toothless nawab can eat.
The melt in mouth Galouti kabab are said to be the invention of that time. Kababs are growing since then as Tundey Kababi won the patronage.
It was in around 17th Century Haji Murad Ali’s Tundey Kababi was set up. The recipe is secret and is only within the family. It is believed that women of the family prepare the masala which is made out of 160 spices.
History of Tundey Kebabs
Stories say that Haji Murad lost his hand while flying the kite, whereas according to a common legend, Haji was actually preparing the mixture of shahi galawat and fell from the roof and this is how he broke his arm. However, this physical disability never pulled him back from achieving his dreams and his passion for cooking.
His Smokey flavoured kabab cooked in dum style is famous till today. The generations after Haji Murad Ali is strictly following the secret recipe granted to them by their grandfather.
Since 90 Years…
The setup of Tundey Kababi was initially established near Gol Darwaza in Chowk in 1905. For 90 years Haji Murad Ali served the city with his yumm kababs. After 9 decades his grand Children Usman Ali and Rizwan Ali decided to open the branches at various places in Lucknow including Aminabad, Kapurthala etc.
Famous personalities like Dilip Kumar, Anupam Kher, Shah Rukh Khan have already visited here and enjoyed the delicacy.
So, what are you waiting for? Next time you Visit Lucknow, Tundey Kababi is a must-go place.
