Among all the foods that Lucknow is famous for, Malai Paan or Bilai Ki Gilori finds pride of place. A delicacy that is said to have originated during the times of the nawabs, and the story goes that when paan was banned by the nawabs, the chefs invented the Malai Paan, which is a paan but made of milk and malai! The Malai Paan requires hours of tedious work for malai to be set into paper thin sheets, and rolled into a paan shape. It’s filled with some dry fruits and mishri, and coated with chandi ka warq. And all that hardwork tastes so good – it just melts in your mouth!
Without doubt, the famous mithai shop Ram Asrey that was set up way back in 1805, is the place to head to, when you crave the sweetness of the Malai Paan.
BEST TIME TO GO
Though the shop remains open till 10 p.m., make sure you go early in the morning or latest by afternoon if it’s Malai Paan you’re looking for. That’s because firstly, they make Malai Paan in limited quantities to make sure there are no left overs from the day. And secondly, because chances are that if you go any later, the Malai Paan will be all sold out, as it’s always in demand!
NL TIP
Better still, place an order for Malai Paan with the shop in advance, especially if you’re looking to take a large quantity.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
A kilo of Malai Paan would translate into 22-23 pieces of the mithai, approximately. Priced at Rs. 600 per kg.
Location: 43/48, Near Leela Theatre, Nawal Kishore Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow;
Ban Wali Gali Chowk, Khun Khun Ji Rd, Chaupatiyan, Chowk, Lucknow
