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A Guide to Kolkata Street Food
It would be a crime to travel to India and not sample the incredible street food. Kolkata, or Calcutta, is the third-largest city in India and is packed with vendor food stalls on every corner. It’s hard to miss the incredible aromas pumping through the streets — travelers are guaranteed to be spoilt for choice with delicious snacks. New-York-based travel company AllTheRooms has rounded up the top Kolkata Street Food dishes to try in Kolkata:
A Guide to Kolkata Street Food
1. Pani Puri
Pani Puri has different names throughout the country and is one of India’s most popular street food snacks. It’s made from a hollow round chip known as puri and is filled with a delicious mixture of spicy potatoes, tamarind chutney, and onion. The snack is eaten in one bite. Warning: they are highly addictive. It has to be in top Kolkata Street Food.
2. Jhal Muri
Jhal Muri is one of the most famous Bengali street snacks you can find in Kolkata. The dish is made from puffed rice, daal, peanuts and topped off with fresh tomatoes and coriander. A spicy mustard sauce is then added to the mixture, all stirred together in one big pan. The dish is normally served in a paper bag and eaten by hand, the same way you would eat a bag of chips. One of my favorite among Kolkata Street Food.
3. Pav Bhaji
The Pav Bhaji is a vegetable and potato curry served with a toasted bread bun on the side. The curry is spicy and flavorsome, while the bread (which, for many, is the highlight) is buttered and toasted in the same pan where the curry cooks, giving it a delicious added kick.
4. Kati Roll
The Kati Roll is India’s answer to the sandwich. The delicious wrap is stuffed with spicy fillings like chicken, lamb, egg or paneer cheese. In its original form, you’ll find the roll stuffed with skewer-roasted kebab meat and the wrap made from paratha bread or an Indian flatbread. It’s a larger street food snack and makes a great on-the-go lunch option. Kolkata Street Food can not be completed without this.
5. Mango Lassi
A Mango Lassi is a delicious, smoothie-like drink made from mango puree and yogurt. Some vendors add slices of cheese or a sprinkling of nuts to the top of the lassi for decoration. It’s an incredibly refreshing drink and the perfect beverage to wash down a spicy snack or meal.
6. Bhel Puri
Bhel Puri is Kolkata’s version of the Indian chaat. It’s made of a dry mix of crunchy puffed rice, spicy potatoes, red onions, and coriander. A tangy dressing is then added, made from chilis and tamarind. It’s truly mouthwatering. This is from Kolkata Street Food will make you fall in love with Kolkata.
7. Churmur
Churmur is a tasty blend of crushed puchka with mashed potatoes, onions, spices, and tamarind. The crunchy and tangy street food snack is something you must try in Kolkata.
8. Ghungi Chaat
Ghugni Chaat is made from yellow and white chickpeas, boiled and mixed with onions, coriander, chilies, and tomatoes. It’s a curry-like dish that can be eaten as a lunch plate or as a snack.
9. Aloo Kabli
Aloo Kabli is a spicy street food snack made from boiled potatoes tossed with tamarind, onions, tomatoes, chilies and other spices. Tip: Have a mango lassi to hand to help wash down the effect of the chilies.
When you need a place to nap after sampling the city’s street food scene, check out all accommodation options in ” AllTheRooms, the world’s first vacation rental search engine ”
