Eating Out in Kolkata

If you are from Kolkata, you ought to be a foodie! In terms of eating out, there are plenty of options in the city. There are typical Bengali dishes you should not miss out on when you visit Kolkata. Talking about street food, Kolkata is synonymous with the puchka, which you can find all over the city. It comes in many variations, with dahi/doi, spiced potato that is mashed and then dipped in tamarind water or the mishti jol, which is sweetened water. You can’t go to Kolkata and come back without memories of puchkas, an explosion of flavours. Another tasty snack you shouldn’t miss out on in Kolkata is jhaal muri. Never so no to this spicy tangy mix! Street food aside, no self-respecting Bengali will ever say no to a meal of fish.

 

Savour the chowmein

 

You can also have your fill of chowmein or chow, which is stir-fried noodles laden with stir fried veggies, chopped onion, cucumber salad, fried scrambled eggs and strips of chicken. The heavy influence of Chinese cuisine has made a great impact on Kolkata’s street food. If you are in the mood for momos or dimsums, you are in the right city. There is an entire street dedicated to momos on Elgin Road.

 

Fish and Calcutta go together

 

My mouth waters as I think of bhetki paturi or steamed fish that is wrapped in banana leaves and the quintessential mustard paste that Bengal is famous for. This preparation goes well the ilish (hilsa) variety of fish. Cutlets made of fish are another top favourite, so if you are a fish-lover, Kolkata is heaven.

 

Luchi and aloo – a great combination

 

Then, there is the luchi, which is like a puri, and you can eat it with aloo posto (aloo curry) and khichuri, which is khichdi. A rare recipe that is tasty and you can only find in Kolkata is bok phool bhaja or fritters made out of flowers.

 

Snack away and have fun!

 

Then, you get a wide array of food such as kathi rolls which you get near Camac St, Theatre Road and other places. Kachoris and samosas/singaras are also a favourite snack, as also chola bhatura, which is basically a North Indian dish but Kolkata has made it its very own. A famed puri that is stuffed with lentils is the Radha Ballavi that is served with chola’r dal, aloo dum or aloo torkari.

 

Desserts, crowning glory

 

Round off your meal with Bengal’s great desserts such as the sandesh, rosomalai, rosogulla that the city is famous for. Jalebi is another hot favourite in Kolkata, with a Calcuttan twist made of channa or cottage cheese. While you are it, gorge on kulfi as well that is available across the country too, but goes well with Kolkata’s savoury delights.

 

Eating out is a rich experience in the city and it is fun to explore the entire range of Luxury hotels in Kolkata, from street stalls to upmarket hotels. You get to enjoy not only local cuisine but also a wide range of international cuisine.