There is no doubt that both rice and fish are the staple Kolkata cuisines. Every restaurant with a Bengali food menu has the famous Macher Jhol. While this traditional dish is a spicy fish curry made along with potatoes & tomatoes, and usually seasoned with turmeric, garlic, onions & grated ginger, it is best relished with rice. If you’re a seafood lover, make sure this is on the top of your list. Best places to eat: Bhajahori Manna, 6 Ballygunge Place, Peter Cat, and more.
2. Kolkata Biryani
Inspired by the Awadhi style, the Kolkata Biryani is a heart winner! It’s captivating aroma and the finely flavoured rice with potato cooked in rich spices is served hot with juicy mutton or chicken, which makes it a must-have when you’re in the city. If you’re not an experimental kind of a foodie, and wish to bet safe, rest assured and order this one from the menu. Best places to eat: Arsalan Restaurant, Royal Indian Hotel, and more.
3. Kosha Mangsho (Mutton curry)
One of the famous Bengali food recipes, Kosha Mangsho is a curry cooked with mutton, a variety of vegetables like tomatoes and onions, and topped with a lot of different spices. It’s dense brown color adds on to the feel, and there is no denying that it tastes like heaven, especially if one is a meat lover. To make the most out of it, you can savour it with steamed rice, luchis, or paranthas. Best places to eat: Golbari, Koshe Kosha, Oh! Calcutta, and more.
4. Shukto
Counted as one of the best Bengali vegetarian recipes, Shukto is a traditional cuisine that consists of a variety of vegetables like potato, pumpkin, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and more. Its partly bitter and partly sweet taste makes it a unique concoction, which can be had along with rice or a traditional flat bread. Best places to eat: Bhajahari Manna, Oh! Calcutta, and more.
Streetside Specialities
5. Phuchka
Also known as gol gappas and paani puri, these tiny water-bombs with spicy masala and meethi chutney are one of the best things to have in the streets of Kolkata. While they look light, they are quite filling and toothsome, and that is exactly the reason why you just can’t stop at one. Best places to eat: Dilipda’s phuchkas in Vivekananda Market, Krisnakant Sharma’s stall in Vardan Market, Kiosk near Triangular Park, Ram Gupta’s Stall at Victoria Memorial, and more.
6.Telebhaja
A famous snack in the city that continues to successfully retain the essence of Bengali cuisine, Telebhaja are best enjoyed in monsoons with a cup of tea. From beguni and phuluri to peyaji and alur chop, these crunchy snacks covered in besan (corn-flour) have something for everyone’s taste buds. Best place to eat: Kalika Mukhorochak at College Street, Dacre Lane, and more.
7. Chop
Also known as cutlets in a few parts of North India, Chop is one of the most filling yet delicious snack to have in the city. This Kolkata cuisineis prepared by stuffing alur, prawns, or chicken into a ball made of dough, which is then deep fried for attaining crispiness. You can enjoy it dry or have it served with your favorite chutney and tea! Best place to eat: Dacre Lane, Mitra Café, and more.
Sweet Delicacies
8. Roshogullas
Popular across the states for being the best dessert in the city, Bengali rasgullas are like balls of cottage cheese and semolina dough, which are dipped in a sugary syrup to add sweetness to them. They are best had right after the main course, but it’s true that if you have been born with a sweet tooth, one just won’t be enough for you. Best places to eat: K.C. Das & Bheem Nag, Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, Hindusthan Sweets, and more
9. Sandesh
Sandesh is a popular dessert in Kolkata, which is made from milk or cottage cheese and sugar, and is one of the most famous snacks that you would come across in the city. Molded into a variety of shapes like the little balls and circular discs, this doughy and buttery sweet dessert puts a perfect end to our any main course traditional Bengali cuisine. Best place to eat: Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick
10. Chom Chom
There is quite a high possibility that you may have heard of Chom Chom if you love taking a tour of the sweet shops. Also called as chum chums, this sweet is made of flour, cream, sugar, saffron, lemon juice and, coconut flakes, and is usually served during the festive season. Best place to eat: K.C. Das
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