Situated on the banks of the Rapti River, Gorakhpur is a cultural and political centre of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The renowned Gorakhnath Math is located here. The district is also known for having one of the world’s longest railway platforms and for its traditional terracotta clay artworks. Under the One District One Cuisine Programme, Litti-Chokha, Chole-Samosa, and Barfi have been selected for Gorakhpur district.
Litti-Chokha is extremely popular in Gorakhpur city, Gorakhnath, Bansgaon, and Sahjanwa. Litti filled with Sattu is cooked over charcoal and served with Chokha prepared from brinjal, potatoes, and tomatoes. Its traditional indigenous taste represents the district’s local food culture.
Gorakhpur’s famous Barfi carries the taste of tradition and sweetness in every bite. Prepared with pure khoya using time-honoured methods, this celebrated sweet reflects the district’s rich culinary artistry and cultural heritage. Its exceptional quality, distinctive flavour, and soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture have made it an enduring symbol of Gorakhpur’s traditional sweet-making legacy.
Garlic-flavoured Chole-Samosa is particularly famous in Golghar, Reti Chowk, Alinagar, and Urdu Bazaar. Crispy Samosas are served with spicy, garlic-flavoured Chole and seasoned chutney. It is considered one of Gorakhpur’s popular street foods.