Famous Kolkata Biryani | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kolkata is a city where shade mingles with local stands serving colonial-era clubs serving steak and kidney pie Kachori and Gulab Jamun. A city where foodies are everywhere: from quick, flaky kati rolls on the street to Tangra for a bowl of noodles cooked by local Chinese people for decades, patiently waiting in long queues for tables at iconic Park Street restaurants Until waiting
Popular food website Eater recently declared Kolkata as one of the top ten foodie destinations in the world for 2023 – the only Indian city to make it to the list.
Here’s where you should eat if you’re planning a trip. We ask Kolkata insiders, chefs and restaurateurs to share their favorite spots.
Chef Sirajul Rahman, MasterChef at The Novotel Hotel, Kolkata
Chef Sirajul says, Having lived and worked across India, I believe few states bring to the table the kind of variety that Kolkata promises and that too at pocket-friendly prices.
Sorshe Eilish | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He says, “I personally love the Bengali food at Siddheshwari Ashram in New Market area. their Kosha Mangsho, Creamy Curry And Sorcee Eilish / Bhapa Eilish, If I feel like eating kebabs, I go to Peshawari restaurant in ITC. For street food I go to Kusum Ke Rolls; For fuchkaYes, I go to Lindsay Street and for dessert, I have Chappan Bhog.”
Doma Wang, owner of Blue Poppy restaurant in Kolkata
Doma’s favorite phuchka makes a vendor outside Sen Mahashay’s sweet shop in AE block Salt Lake. Doma, who is fondly called the queen of Kolkata’s momos, says she prefers to go out to Victoria’s Vardan Bazar for her own fritters, she further states that Dahi Vada It is also necessary to be outside AC Market on Theater Road.
Panipuri or Phuchka | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“The other day I was walking in Burra Bazaar and on one side of the road there were shops selling Chole Bhature, Karashutir Kachori , Shortbread Made with the first sweet peas of the season). Vegetable And piping hot Gulab Jamun. Kebabs and other non-vegetarian dishes were being prepared on the other side of the road. I had a full meal for ₹60 and this is something I would recommend.”
“I also love Bengali food. So, when I have friends over we go to 6 Ballygunge Place and for Chinese we go to Kafulok in Tangra,” she adds. Her other recommendations include Brain Masala at Kwality on Park Street, Dal and Chana Masala at Punjabi Rasoi And Ah Leung includes steamed vennon for breakfast.
Majalat Fatima of Manzil, Kolkata
Chili Chicken | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Manzilat’s favorite biryani joint is Mezbaz, Ripon Street. The restaurant owner says that her children enjoy the Lucknowi style Biryani there. “The host’s chef was originally from Lucknow. He is no more but his sons are carrying forward his legacy and the taste of Biryani remains the same. Second on the biryani list is Zam Zam at Park Circus, popular for its smooth yet light on stomach mutton biryani.
My other option would be Tangra’s Beijing or Chinese from Tung Fong in Park Street (same owner). Tung Fong has Chili Garlic Pepper Chicken, it’s a dry fry starter (I love the garlic flavor), and Chili Chicken Dry. Chilli Chicken is available everywhere but their taste is most authentic, I think. ,
Peter Tseng, Soya Soi, Chennai
Although a resident of Chennai, Peter returns to his home, Kolkata, during the Chinese New Year. His top picks are Golden Joy for Chinese and Kasturi for Dhakai/Bangladeshi food.
Steamed Dissums | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Peter elaborated, “My cousins and I usually feast at Golden Joy, the taste of which, I think, is the closest we come to Chinese food made at home. We usually have steamed duck, steamed Fish and steamed dimsums have a set menu.Also, we have some standard haunts like Arsalan for Biryani and Kasturi for Bangladeshi food, because in terms of crust profile and texture of the dishes, Kasturi stands out.