Experience Lucknow’s legendary flavours with live cooking, rich kebabs, aromatic biryanis and decadent desserts, says SAKSHI PRIYA
Lucknow is a city where history and flavour walk hand in hand. Known for its tehzeeb, rich culinary traditions, and slow-cooked delicacies, every bite tells a story of Nawabs and royal kitchens. The aroma of saffron and kebabs fills its streets, the sound of clinking glasses and quiet conversations adding to its charm.
Now, this experience finds a new home in Noida at Chica Loca by Sunny Leone. A space where every detail reflects a love for food and culture. The atmosphere feels personal, as though the restaurant itself is telling you a secret. Here, Zaika-e-Lucknow is an experience that unfolds before your eyes.
A Feast for the Senses
There’s something mesmerising about watching food being prepared right in front of you. The sizzle, the aroma, the way each ingredient is carefully added. At Chica Loca by Zaika-e-Lucknow is an experience.
Every dish carries the heart of Lucknow’s legendary cuisine, steeped in history and rich in flavour. The chefs perform, turning centuries-old recipes into moments worth savouring.
The Chaat Experience
At the chaat counter, the experience begins with a flourish. A delicate kataifi basket is placed before you, crisp and golden. A freshly fried aloo tikki is placed inside, followed by a drizzle of thick tamarind and jaggery sauce, its deep sweetness balanced by the tang of yoghurt. A spoonful of Arala Galka chutney, deep green, fragrant, bursting with spice, is added, the final flourish to a masterpiece of textures and tastes.
This chaat is layers of flavour, a balance of crisp, soft, sweet, and spicy. The first bite is a revelation, crunchy, creamy, tangy and warming, all at once. It’s street food elevated to an art form.
Gulati Kebab & Katal Delight
On the live grill, the Gulati Kebab sizzles gently, its rich aroma of ghee, saffron, and warming spices filling the air. A delicate blend of khoya, lentils and paneer, infused with cashew paste and Lazzat-e-Taam masala, makes it irresistibly soft. Served with saffron-infused Sheermal and bold panch-phoron chutney, it melts on the tongue, releasing layers of spice and smoke.
Never thought of Katal as something this indulgent but here it was, stealing the spotlight. Slow-cooked in Lucknowi spices, the raw jackfruit transformed into a rich meaty delight. Paired with warm Rumali Roti, it absorbed the deep smokiness of cloves, cardamom and ghee, each bite a revelation.
The Non-Veg Secrets
For those who crave the richness of Lucknow’s meat dishes, the live kitchen offers a spectacle of its own. The legendary Chowk Ke Galawati Kebab, soft, smoky, spiced to perfection, is prepared right before your eyes, each portion hand-minced with precision. Beside it, a pot of Abu Bakar Ki Biryani is gently stirred, the fragrance of saffron and rose water rising with the steam. The Rann Mussallam, slow-cooked to perfection with rich Lucknowi spices, makes a grand entrance, the meat tender, falling off the bone.
Pan-Asian Flair
While the heart of Zaika-e-Lucknow lies in its heritage, there’s an unexpected twist, a live Pan-Asian station. The contrast is striking. Here, the preparation is fast, dynamic. Flames leap as a chef tosses fresh vegetables in a hot wok, the aroma of basil and soy hitting the air.
A dish of Sticky Rice with Vegetables in Basil Sauce comes together in mere minutes. The chef glances up, asking, “More spice?” A nod, and in goes a handful of fresh chilli, the deep red cutting through the glossy sauce. Spice is adjusted on request. The final dish is bold and full of character, every grain of rice coated in a rich, aromatic sauce. It’s a theatrical contrast to the slow, deliberate artistry of Lucknow’s kebabs and chaats, yet equally hypnotic to watch.
A Sweet Mystery
Khushnuma Begum Ki Kulfi, what a name for a dessert. The story goes that a young chef once found an old spoon engraved with "Khushnuma" in the bustling bartan bazaar, and it changed his fate forever. This dessert carries that same magic. A saffron and almond kulfi, layered with falooda and dry fruits, served with a paan-infused rabri blended with betel leaf and gulkand. Each bite is a journey through Lucknow’s rich culinary history, a perfect ending to an unforgettable meal.
Dining at Chica Loca is about feeling connected, to the past, to the craft, to the very moment when something beautiful is created. Watching the hands that shape the food, hearing the stories behind the dishes, inhaling the scents that fill the air, it all makes each bite more meaningful. At Zaika-e-Lucknow, tradition is alive, food is theatre and every meal is a story waiting to be told.
Cocktails & More
The drinks here deserve a moment of their own. Ishq, what a name. A smooth rum-based drink with almond milk, cream, cinnamon, honey and egg white. Velvety and rich, it felt like a warm embrace. Then came Suroor-e-Raan, a vodka cocktail with betel leaf, cloves, honey and lime, served alongside a fragrant meetha paan. An unexpected yet perfect pairing. Finally, Mehfi, a mocktail inspired by qawwali, blended rose water, pomegranate, lime and honey. Refreshing, floral, and full of life, just like the city itself.
Fact sheet
Restaurant: Chica Loca by sunny leone
Venue: 4th Floor, Plot Number-C3, One29, E1, Noida-Greater Noida Expy, above Gulshan, Sector 129, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
Price: 2500 + for two (without alcohol)
