Street food of Kolkata

Street food of Kolkata is the food sold by hawkers and street vendors from portable market stalls in the streets of Kolkata, India. It is one of the major characteristics of the city, which makes Kolkata the "City of Joy". Kolkata's street foods include Indian street food as well as Chinese, Mughlai, British, and even European foods.^[1]

A street fast food stall in Kolkata

Tea stall at Chitpur, Kolkata

The chaatwala in London inspired by street food of Kolkata

Varieties

• Luchi Alur dom

Luchi and Alur dom is most popular, cheap and consumed street food in Kolkata.^[2] Daily workers or passer-by people prefer luchi and alur dom for its good taste and fast consumption. Instead of luchi in many shops puri, Kochuri, Parota, Naan are served with Alur dom, Paneer Curry etc.^[3]

Kochuri Alur dom along with Singara sold in a street food stall in Bara Bazar, North Kolkata.

• Pakora

Street vendors and restaurants sell various types of Pakoras like potato, egg, onion, cauliflower and chicken. Chicken pakora is most famous pakora among the consumers.^[4]

Chicken Pokora

• Fast food stalls

Stalls containing fast foods are frequently seen in the streets which contains Indian as well as Chinese fast foods. Notable fast foods include chowmin, fish finger, Momo, Chicken Pokora/Cutlett, Egg roll, Chicken roll etc.^[5][6]

Chicken roll in Kolkata

Egg Devil and rolls in portable stall in China Bazar

Pork roll in Kolkata

• South Indian foods

South Indian foods like Idli, sambhar, Dhosa, Masala Dhosa, Coconut chutney are among the most consumed street foods in Kolkata since these are easy to ready and easy to eat.

• Kulfi

Kulfi is very famous street food in Kolkata, known for its cooling and satisfying effect in summer times, available in flavours like malai, kesar and elaichi.^[7]

Pista Kulfi

• Other street foods

Other street food of Kolkata includes Momo,^[8] Papri chat, Phuchka, Ghugni and Singara chat, Telebhaja, Radha Ballavi and Masala Kochuri, Aloo Kabli, Jilipi, Ghoti Gorom,Jhal Muri, Badam Makha, Doodh cola etc.^[7]

Ghugni and masala chola in a stall

Phuchka in a leaf plate in Kolkata.

A Pav Bhaji stand in Kolkata. Pav bhaji is one of noted street foods of North Kolkata.

Areas and spread

Further information on the food stall: Chauhan Victoria Vada

Although Kolkata has street food stalls in nearly every part of the city, it specifically has many areas famous for its different types of street foods. North Kolkata has comparatively more street food stalls than South Kolkata. Surya Sen Street, Sealdah, Bidhan Sarani, Shyambazar has some notable stalls famous since 90s.

Decars Lane or James Hicky Sarani is a lane in Dharmatala, Central Kolkata, which is famous for its cheap and tasty food stalls. Maniktala has famous shop which still sells per kochuri at 25 and 50 Paisa.^[9]

Exide more near Rabindra Sadan, Shyambazar 5-point crossing etc. are famous for its momo.^[10]

Juice Stall in Salt Lake Sector V.

See also

• Indian fast food
• Street food of Mumbai
• Street food of Chennai
• South Indian Restaurants, Kolkata

References

1. "Bookmark the ultimate Kolkata food guide to get a taste of everything best". Lifestyle Asia India. June 13, 2022.
2. Chand, Sharmila. "Kolkata's most iconic street eats and where to have them" – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
3. "The Best Breakfasts Across India – Kolkata's Kochuri Alur Dum to Bengaluru's Bene Dosa". Scoopwhoop. December 25, 2016.
4. "Street food goes online". February 19, 2017 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
5. "Eat Like a Local: 5 Best Street Food Joints in North Kolkata".
6. "5 Best Street Food Joints In North Kolkata".
7. Chand, Sharmila. "Kolkata's most iconic street eats and where to have them" – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
8. staff, Sunita Iyer folomojo (September 15, 2015). "Momos: From a humble Himalayan dumpling to a street food star".
9. "Here is a Kolkata shop that still sells kochuri at just 25 paisa!". Get Bengal.
10. "Here are the best momo joints in Kolkata". BombayTimes.