Street foods always hold an irresistible charm which no restaurant cuisine can ever match. The enticing aroma, the tinkling of utensils, the endless cacophony on the road, the sumptuous taste of the food- all of these together bring to the table an emotion. Yes, street food is no less than an emotion to the foodies.
And if you are looking for the best street food in India, then my dear friend, you need to visit Kolkata, the cultural city of India!
Kolkata, the city that never sleeps, is famous for its culture and food. Bongs are born foodies, and somehow their culture is deeply intertwined with Bengali cuisine. So, if you are a die-hard foodie and have an ever-lasting appetite for street foods, Kolkata is the go-to option for you.
Oh-so-yum foods at budget-friendly rates!
If you belong to that stratum of people who live to eat, then Kolkata street food will find a special place in your heart. Just take a stroll around the narrow lanes and wide streets of Kolkata, and the heavenly aroma of the delectable food items will make you drool like crazy.
And the best part is that Kolkata is an absolute pocket-friendly state when it comes to street food prices. You can satiate your growling stomach and treat your taste buds with just a few bucks in hand.
So, what are you even waiting for? Set out to explore the street food in Kolkata now. Not born and brought up in Kolkata? No worries! We have curated a list of mouth-watering and flavoursome Kolkata street food items. Scroll down and dive deeper into the flavoursome details.
Top 7 street food items in Kolkata you must try.
- Phuchka: No, golgappes and Panipuris stand nowhere near the magical phuchkas of Kolkata. Phuchkas are crispy, crunchy balls filled with mashed potatoes, typical Bengali spices, tamarind chutney, lemon juice, pudina and pickled water. Try Dilip Da’s phuchkas in the Vivekananda market, and you will remember the taste for the rest of your life!
- Jhalmuri: This is a light, appetizing street food that is extremely cheap and can be found at every nook and cranny of Kolkata. A tossed-up mixture of puffed rice, peanuts, sliced chillies, onions and cucumber, coriander leaves drenched in pickle oil and lemon juice. Munch on the best jhalmuri in Triangular Park and Jawaharlal Nehru Road with your friends.
- Chop: These are deep fried, stuffed snacks coated with wheat and rice flour. The stuffing inside is extremely delicious and varies from mashed potato to sliced boiled eggs. Even the outer coating is spicy and full of flavour. Try Lashmi Narayan’s chop, and you will crave for the same throughout your life.
- Ghugni: Made out of boiled white and yellow peas, this appetizing street food is topped up with chopped onion, cilantro, tamarind pulp and spices. If you wish to taste the best Ghugni then head to New Market.
- Mutton Kobiraji cutlet: This remarkably unique street food in Kolkata is made with minced mutton and wrapped in egg yolk and spices. The deep-fried snack is a must try as it tickles your taste buds to the fullest. Get the best Mutton kobiraji cutlets at Mitra Café.
- Mughlai porota: Again a highly unique dish, Mughlai porota is basically a paratha stuffed with mashed cutlets, chicken keema, eggs and chopped onion. The soul-satisfying snack is worth trying when you are out exploring street foods. Head straight to Anandi Cabin to have these scrumptious Mughlai porotas.
- Kathi roll: If you are in Kolkata, and have not yet tasted Kathi rolls, trust us, you are missing out on something HUGE! These are flaky flour parathas stuffed with paneer/egg/chicken/mutton and laced with veggies, sauces and spices. Take a bite, and we bet you can’t stop at one. Have the best Kathi rolls at Anamika Roll Centre in the Triangular Park area.
Takeaway
The streets of Kolkata are lined up with toothsome delicacies. Step out of your hotel with an empty stomach, and taste as many variety as you can. Enjoy the unique, satiating taste and don’t worry about the expenditure. Kolkata still boasts of its highly affordable street foods.