By Devi Poojari
A Kolkata sweet shop speciality that is usually eaten for breakfast, deep fried, puffy kochuris are best enjoyed right out of the oil and straight on top of a bowl of spicy potato curry.
Kolkata is as famous for these soft dumplings blanketed in yoghurt and a medley of sweet and spicy chutneys for the ultimate flavour experience, as it is for other quintessential Kolkata classics. Some places also happen to sell an Odia version of this delicious mid-day snack with a generous helping of dum aloo.
A spicy curry made of dried white peas, chaat masala, tomatoes, onions and potatoes, garnished with cilantro and tamarind chutney, a small serving of this chaat is enough to keep you going for a while. Best enjoyed warm and right out of the leaf bowls, commonly found at all chaat shops, it is a healthy option that is completely oil-free.
Fried dough balls filled with flavoursome tamarind water, the Kolkata puchkas establish themselves as a unique feature, integral to the city’s food culture. Visit any street vendor to try them and we’ll bet you won’t be able to stop yourselves from gorging!
Grilled, skewered meat blanketed in a paratha…..is the stuff of food dreams. And the kathi roll that originated in 1930s Kolkata has gained a fan following around the world as well as been replicated many times over. Try one in Kolkata for the most authentic experience.
Anything coated in a batter and deep-fried sounds delicious and Kolkata aces the fried food game by having both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions of the bhaja. An integral part of a Bengali meal or to eat as a snack, the crispy crunchies are the ultimate culinary experience that will leave your tastebuds singing.
It’s only fair that the momos in the city that gave us our beloved Indo-Chinese food is also the place to get some top-class momos, accompanied by a spicy roasted tomato chutney. Filled with vegetables or meat or prawns, there’s a momo out there for everyone to try!