Kolkata Street Foods: Kolkata is known as the ‘City of Joy’ for a reason. Historians believe that Calcutta (then Calcutta) has been inhabited for thousands of years, its documented history beginning only with the arrival of Job Charnock on behalf of the British East India Company in 1690. Since then, the city has been undergoing various social, cultural, cultural, social and cultural functions. and economic changes, which shaped the character of modern Kolkata as it is today. The food of Kolkata also plays a major role in shaping the atmosphere of the city. If you explore, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes from different origins, indicating the cultural imprint each community has left over the years. You will find West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh), Anglo-Indian cuisine, Indo-Chinese food, Parsi cuisine, Sheherwali food culture, Mughlai cuisine, Bohri cuisine and more – each with a significant place on the cuisine. Kolkata map. The same holds true for Kolkata’s street food.
Kolkata Street Foods: What is so special about the street foods of Kolkata?
Aptly known as a melting pot of cultures, Kolkata’s street food has strong influences from Chinese, Marwari, Nepali and various other cultures. Take the classic Fuchka for instance. Whether Fuchka and Panipuri are same or not has been a constant question for everyone. Kalyan Karmakar explains that they are not the same. While they may look similar, “puchka’s crust is harder and crunchy than purina”. Next, unlike panipuri ragda and bundi, foochka is served with spicy plum filling and tangy tamarind water.
Co-Head Chef Koyal Roy Nandy of Sienna Calcutta weighs in, “What I find unique about Kolkata food is its diversity. Here, the food doesn’t limit itself to Bengali cuisine. It’s more about the different communities, their use of ingredients. , flavours.” And the strong cultural influence you’ll find throughout the city is a variety of street foods, each with an interesting history and origin.
Get ready to slip! In this article, we take you through the mouth-watering most legendary street foods of Kolkata that have been making foodies swoon over the years. Get ready to discover the hidden gems of Kolkata’s street food scene!
Photo credit: iStock
Here are 12 top street food places you need to try in Kolkata:
1. Balloons:
How can we even imagine starting a list without mentioning Fuchka. An all-time favorite of everyone in the city, you will find the dish widely sold at every corner. While phuchka is claimed to have originated in Bengal, what makes it interesting is the fact that many of the phuchka sellers in Kolkata are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and not Bengali, which brings a new perspective to the dish.
Fuchka places you need to try:
- Near Vivekananda Park, Southern Avenue
- Hathibagan, Shyambazar
- Dhakuria, outside Dakshinapan
2. Kachori:
Did you know, Kolkata has had a kachori culture for years? Be it Khasta Kachori or regular dishes, these delicious dishes will instantly remind you of the streets of Lucknow and Varanasi. But the sabzi served with it makes it unique. Made with very Bengali spices, this sabzi gives kachori flavor and uniqueness. You can easily find kachori-sabji at sweet shops or street carts in every corner of the city.
Kachori Places You Must Try:
- Badri Ki Kachori, Bara Bazar, Jorasanko
- Maharaj Breakfast, Deshoprio Park
- Sharma Snacks Centre, Bhawanipur
3. Momo:
If you think momo is the most popular street food in Delhi, then dear reader, you must try the food available in Kolkata. From street-side shops to local eateries, this Nepali dish serves as a major attraction for customers. Served with a clear broth and spicy chutney, these momos are juicy, soft and considered the closest replica of the momos prepared in the Nepali community, according to food experts. Check out momo stalls in Kolkata, you’ll find a variety of unique versions including fish momos, kurkure momos, gondoraj momos and more.
Momo Places You Must Try:
- Tibetan Delights, Hamro Momo, Momo Plaza Suburban Hospital Road, Elgin Road
Photo credit: iStock
4. Chaat:
Papadi chaat, bhelpuri, dahi vada, sev puri, samosa chaat and more – these delicacies never fail to win hearts. While different types of chaat have different regional origins, you’ll find them all in Kolkata, with a few additional specialties. Kolkata is big on chaat, but unlike what is available in North India, here we see less use of curd and more use of roasted Bengali masala (bhaja masala) made of cumin-coriander-red chillies. This makes the chaat harder and drier than the chaats available outside the city.
Chaat Places You Must Try:
- Street-side shops in Shyam Bazar, Hathi Bagan area
5. Chop:
A Kolkata food trail is never complete without tasting some hot and crispy chops. Bengal’s own pakoras (or fritters), chops are basically a spicy mashed filling, dipped in gram flour batter and fried until golden and crispy. You can find a variety of chops all over the city. From the classic peach chop and payaji to the rich mutton chop, egg chop and fish chop, there is something available for every palate.
Cut to the places you should try:
- Apanjan, Kalighat
- Mitra Cafe, Shobhabazar
- Das Cabin, Gariahat Bazar
6. Cutlet:
A dish of possibly English origin in Kolkata, cutlets are basically fish or chicken fillets, coated in desi spices and breadcrumbs and fried until crispy. It is served with ketchup, kasundi (Bengali mustard sauce), and salad for evening snack.
Cutlet Places You Must Try:
- Chittoda’s Suruchi Restaurant, James Hitchcock Sir
- Shankar’s Fry, Panditia Road
- Allen’s Kitchen, Jatindra Mohan Avenue
7. Chow Mein:
If you are in Kolkata, you must try the chow mein available on street corners across the city. This desi-style Chinese hakka noodle has a dedicated fan base that crowds street carts for some evening delights. Chow mein in Bengal has both veg and non-veg versions and is served with ketchup and salad on top.
Chow Mein Places You Must Try:
- Restaurants and street carts in Territy Bazaar and China Town
8. Churmur:
If you’ve tried Fuchka, Churmur is a must. It’s basically a foochka mishmash, served like aloo chaat. Here, crispy papadi is grated and mixed with plum filling and tamarind water and served on a plate to taste. Some Churmur-walas in Kolkata drizzle sweet chutney on top.
Charmur Places You Must Try:
- Maharaja Chat Centre, Southern Avenue
- Sri Thakur Pandit Ka Fuchka, Vivekananda Park
9. Aloo Kabli:
Simply put, it is a Bengali aloo chaat that does not involve oil in its preparation. All you need to do is chop boiled plums and mix overnight soaked black gram, boiled sef matar, onion, green chillies, freshly chopped coriander, roasted cumin-coriander powder, red chillies, black salt and enough tamarind water. Trust us, it’s a collective favorite at any time of the day.
Aloo Kabali Places You Must Try:
- Street side shops at Shyambazar Shobhabazar crossing.
10. Ghugni:
Simply put, it is a Bengali-style ragda, infused with a variety of spices. Ghugni, also popular in Bihar, is cooked safely, served with spices, tamarind water, onions, green chillies and coriander on top. You can eat it as it is or combine it with pavs, rotis and parathas. Ghugni can be easily prepared at your home too.
Ghugni Places You Must Try:
- New Market (opposite Bombay Dyeing)
- Deckers Lane
11. Creamy Toast:
Visit any tea stall in central and north Kolkata in the morning and you will find patrons of malai toast for a delicious breakfast. Wondering what the dish is? It is a local bread roti, cut into two slices, grilled on a pan and served with malai (top layer of boiled milk) and white sugar sprinkled on top. Try this recipe someday to understand how the simplest of ingredients can come together to create a delicious dish.
Malai Toast Places in Kolkata:
- Tea stalls on Dacres Lane and Old Post Office Street
12. Kathi Roll:
And how can we miss the Kathi roll? Kolkata’s iconic street food combines crispy parathas and juicy chicken and mutton kebabs in one dish. All you need to do is heat it up and enjoy.
Kathi Roll Locations in Kolkata:
- Hot Kathi Roll, Park Street
- Saffron Roll Center at Park Street
- Nizam, Esplanade
Happy fun, everyone!