Famous street foods of Kolkata you must try
What's the story
Bengalis' love for food and adda (chatting) has given birth to many innovative and appetizing street foods. There is something for everyone on the streets of Kolkata, and the city will not let you return disappointed. If you are visiting Kolkata for the first time, make sure to try out the below-listed street foods while scouting for some tempting dishes.
#1
Jhaal muri
Jhal muri is pretty similar to bhel. It is made of rice flakes tossed with spicy chutney and mustard oil, peanuts, roasted lentils, and coconut shavings. You will often find people munching on it from a paper pouch walking around the city in the evening. You can enjoy this snack on the go. Jhaal muri sellers can be found on almost every street corner.
#2
Phuchka
Phuchka is spicy, crunchy, and a hearty snack. Trust us, you won't be able to stop at one. The whole process of grabbing a phuchka, filling it up with dry ingredients before dipping it into tangy water is enough to make you salivate. This mass-favorite street food is available all over Kolkata on every street and every neighborhood.
#3
Tele bhaja
Tele bhaja refers to deep-fried snacks. Similar to pakodas around the rest of India, these deep-fried snacks are a Kolkata classic you shouldn't miss. There are many variations: aloo chop, mochar chop (banana flower chop), vegetable chop, shingara (samosa), beguni (aubergine pakoda), penyaji (onion pakoda). These batter-fried snacks are a great accompaniment to evening tea and can be found at roadside stalls.
#4
Momos
While momos might not seem like a Kolkata specialty, trust us when we say the local momos here are special. These yummy and spicy snacks have been around for over a decade. Since Kolkata is close to Darjeeling and Sikkim, the influence was natural. These steamed or fried buns are available in a variety of stuffings (corn, cheese, chicken, pork, mutton).
#5
Kathi roll
Did you know that kathi rolls were invented in Kolkata? These comprise of flatbreads stuffed with roasted minced meat, or cottage cheese, along with other accompaniments like chutney and mayonnaise in a roll. These delicious and hearty rolls are immensely popular across the globe. You can find a rustic, street version of these rolls, as well as sophisticated versions at restaurants.