Kolkata is often known as the city of Joy. But it should also be named as the city of gastronomy. The reason is you will find some of the best street foods in Kolkata that are a must-try.
So, if you haven’t been to Kolkata before, then pay a short visit to this metropolis simply to try out the lip-smacking street foods that are sold in every nook and cranny out here.
Kolkata is undoubtedly among the best tourist destinations in West Bengal. and it’s worth visiting for a day or two. Besides the lip-smacking delicacies, street foods and sweets, the city of joy can amuse you on many fronts.
Starting from delectable fretters, chaats, momos to that of sweets, you are never short of options when searching for the finest Kolkata Street food around the corner of India’s cultural capital.
Having said that, here are some of the street delicacies that you can’t miss out on trying when visiting Kolkata for the first time.
Jhalmuri
You will find this amazingly dainty snack almost at every hop, skip and jump in the city. This delicacy is made of a mixture that includes puffed rice, peanuts, savoury snacks like Chanachur, tomatoes, fresh green chillies and coriander etc.
A little bit of mustard oil is also added to incorporate a hint of spiciness into it. Once prepared, it is served in a conically wrapped piece of newspaper. And it’s a bet that you will surely fall for this snacking item when out on the streets of Kolkata.
You can munch on it just like that or team it up with a brewing cup of tea to feel that exquisite burst of flavours inside your mouth.
Tangy Ghugni Chaat
Ghugni Chaat is yet another tasty street food item in Kolkata made of boiled white and yellow peas. Afterwards, ingredients like green coriander leaves, raw onions, raw tomatoes, chillies and other spices are mixed along with to convert it into the most street-friendly delicacy ever.
Finally, a generous amount of tamarind pulp is poured on it and you are all set and ready to dig into your Tangy Ghugni Chaat. So, next time do give this dish a try while indulging in your Kolkata sojourn.
Churmur
Kolkata is all famous for its Phuchka and we know that very well. Pretty similar to that is this kolkata street food called Churmur. This street food item is prepared by crushing a couple of dry phuchkas together, then combined with spices, onions, chillies, coriander and a good deal of tamarind pulp.
In a word, you will get all the flavours of Phuchka in Churmur and eating it is much easier as well. So, if planning a quick trip to Kolkata, don’t fail to try out this street food item for sure.
Phuchka
Phuchka can be synonymously used with Kolkata as it is a signature street delicacy in the city. You will also get phuchkas in the form of pani puri and gol gappa in Bombay and Delhi respectively, but none of them can beat the mind-boggling taste of the typical Phuchka found in Kolkata.
Inside it, you will find mashed potatoes made of spices, chillies and boiled yellow peas. Subsequently, it is dipped in a bowl of tangy tamarind water and served to the eater and the experience is simply out of this world.
A hint of pudina, lime and other condiments are also put into this flavoursome liquid to add that much-needed pungency to it.
To say in a nutshell, your entire Kolkata tour is incomplete if you haven’t gorged onto this lip-smacking street food delicacy yet.
Shingara or Samosa
The term Shingara is more popular in Kolkata as compared to Samosa, depicting a triangular fretter with stuffed potatoes inside it that resides in the heart of most Indians.
However, the fondness that Kolkatans have for Shingara, their own version of Samosa, is totally different. Simply pair it up with a cup of hot Masala Chai in the morning or evening and rest assured that your day is made.
Interestingly, this street food item has not remained confined to just potato stuffing as lamb, chicken and mutton fillings are also preferred by people belonging to various walks of life.
Kathi Roll
If you have a penchant for rolls, then, this dish is something you got to try out in Kolkata for sure. In fact, Kathi Roll sets it apart from all the other roll variants sold in the city.
Whether it’s a filling made out of paneer, chicken or mutton, the stuffing inside Kathi roll can be customized according to the varying needs of the customers.
Along with that flavourful veggies, spices and sauces are added and guess what? The taste of your most-awaited Kathi Roll would feel like heaven.
So, to tantalize your taste buds with something distinct and satisfy your tummy to the full, Kathi Roll must be imperatively in your Kolkata Street food wish list this time.
Keemar Doi Bora
Keema is minced meat and the Doi Bora made of its stuffing is popularly known as Keemar Doi Bora in Kolkata.
After the Boras (fretters) are fried, they are subsequently dipped into Sweetened Dahi (Yogurt) sprinkled with Bhaja Moshla on the top. It’s basically a mixture where five different condiments including fenugreek, black mustard seeds, cumin, red chilli powder and Cinnamon are dry roasted and combined together, turning the amalgamation into a dainty spice powder.
Particularly, if you are an innate Chaat lover then Keemar Doi Bora is something you will definitely fall in love with.
Telebhaja
Telebhaja is one of the most popular and widely available street foods in Kolkata. During monsoon, Kolkata dwellers grow an immense fondness for these lovely fretters in them. Colloquially known as Telebhaja, this crispy and mouth-watering snack is made using besan (gram flour) batter or batter using cornflour.
Subsequently, slices of pumpkins, brinjals, onion rings, or boiled egg are dipped into it and deep fried until they are golden brown. However, this is not the end and Telebhaja has almost gone to the extent of a gastronomical experiment.
As a result, every day the famous Telebhaja is evolving into a wide variety of forms, be it the fretters made of coriander leaves, raw mangoes or Bombay Duck etc.
Get to Know The Hidden Gourmet in You in Kolkata!
Even if you are not an ardent food lover, Kolkata will surely make you one. The pivotal game-changer in this case would be the sumptuous street foods found in every length and breadth of the city. So, do try out some of these best street foods in Kolkata and indulge in a gastronomic delight when out for a Kolkata excursion.