There’s something truly magical about winters in Kolkata. The chill in the air, a sunrise tinged with pink and of course, the unbeatable feeling of a hot kulhad chai in your hands. MasterChef India Season 1 winner Chef Pankaj Bhadouria is getting her fill of the city and trying out some of the best local breakfasts. Her guide to the most famous spots was none other than Chef Kirti Bhoutika, MasterChef Season 5 winner and Kolkata local. Together the chefs embarked on an adventure to eat like a local and find the best street food breakfasts in the city.
They began with Malai Cheeni Toast with Kulhad Chai at Kona Dukan. This spot has been a highlight of the city for almost 80 years and is now run by the fourth generation. For 60 years of its life it didn’t even have a name but that never stopped patrons from flocking the stall for thick slices of toast slathered with fresh sweetened cream and hot cup of chai.
Their next stop was for Club Kachoris on Share Street, a unique twist on the regular Kachori which has become quite popular in the city, especially at the famous Chhangani Club Kachori. Small stuffed and fried kachoris are served with potato curry and a handful of crispy sev for a full meal that has a rainbow of flavours and textures.
Of course, no visit to Kolkata in winter is complete without a taste of Nolen Gur. Nolen gur, or “new jaggery” is a winter speciality in West Bengal and is extracted from the sap of the Date Palm tree. Every year locals await the Nolen Gur season with excitement and then relish the many sweets and desserts made with the sweet sensation. The two chefs got their Nolen Gur fix at Radharam Mullick, a spot on Park Street that’s been doling out delicious sweets since 1985.
Chef Pankaj Bhadouria admitted in a previous post that she rarely gets to see new cities the way locals do but it seems like Chef Bhoutika made sure she didn’t miss out on the truly magical highlights of Kolkata’s street food experience.