Have You Tried The Street Food Of Kolkata? You Will Fall In Love We Promise

Street food of any place in the world has its own charm and the same stands for the food that you get on Kolkata streets. You have missed out and are missing out on a lot of mind-boggling flavours of the phuchka there, the ever so crunchy churmur, the tangy chickpeas infused in a chaat and more. Here is a list of what all you can try. 

Phuchka

These crispy rounds are stuffed with mashed potatoes, sprinkled with spices, and then filled with tamarind chutney, green pudina (mint) water, and lime. Elsewhere in India, they are called golgappas, pani puri, pakodi, paani ke pataashe, gup chup, phulki and tikki.

Best places to try: Vivekananda Market, Vardan Market, Kiosk near Triangular Park,  outside Victoria Memorial, Russell Street and at New Alipore.

Churmur

This is a mix of crushed puchka, mashed potatoes, onions, spices, tamarind and peanuts. Easier to eat, there is something about this dish which is served in cups made of dried leaves, that leaves you asking for more.   

Best places to try: Southern Avenue and Bhawanipore

Ghugni Chaat 

Have you had 'ragda' in Mumbai? Well, this one has a similar taste yet it is different. It is made of boiled yellow and white peas which are mixed with onions, coriander, chillis, tomatoes, spices, and topped with tamarind pulp. It is very popular and you can convince yourself that it is not as fattening. Well... boiled peas does not mean it has low calories, but it is better than fried food for sure. 

Best places to try: Dacres Lane and New Market

Jhalmuri 

Now, this is a no brainer. This is super yummy, tangy yet spicy (can be adjusted) and very filling. Jhalmuri makes a good snack with tea and can be easily found everywhere in Kolkata. The snack is a tossed-up mix of puffed rice, namkeen, peanuts, coriander, onions, tomatoes, spices, chillies, and more. This one has no oil and easy to make. It is served in a conical newspaper wrap. 

Best places to try: Triangular Park and Jawaharlal Nehru Road

Keemar Doi Bora

This is a dish for the non-vegetarian soul for sure. It is meat dahi bada floating in curd which is sprinkled with different spices, also called 'panch poran'. This panch poran (five spice mix) contains cinnamon, red chilli powder, cumin, black mustard seeds and fenugreek. This one is a shout out for North Indians. You guys will go crazy!

Best place to try: Burrabazar

Kathi Rolls

This dish, unites all and we can't keep calm! The delicious rolls, the oozing chutney and the delectable kebabs for non-vegetarians and paneer or egg for the vegetarians, will have you over eating, we bet. Now how are the rolls unique in Kolkata? It is the spices. Here they make it in flaky flour paratha which is rolled up with your chosen stuffing laced with irresistible sauces, spices, and vegetables. Yes, they make something like that in North India as well, but it sure is different here. Either fly out for a foodie trip to Kolkata or ask your friend to pack some and get it for you.

Best places to try: Triangular Park, Park Street, New Market, College Street, Park Street

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Shingara/ Samosa  

Just like samosas, they are shingaras here. Stuffed with potatoes, you cannot miss these hot and crunch dollops of flavour galore dish while sipping on cheap tea in this beautiful city. 

Best places to try: Burrabazar

Chhanar Jilipi

For those with a sweet tooth, this sinful dish is jalebi's cousin. It is made of cottage cheese and is thicker than jalebi. The texture of this one is similar to that of gulab jamuns. You have to have this in Kolkata. Take a bite for us!  

Best places to try: Golpark and College Street

Telebhaja

This is a super crispy snack which is of course fried. It is prepared by frying besan which covers onion rings, potato, pumpkin, and eggplant. It is so versatile that street vendors give it their own twist by putting raw mangoes, coriander leaves, and Bombay duck.

Best place to try: College Street

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