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Kolkata is a city rich with history and culture. From being an East India Company’s trading post to becoming one of the best food destinations of the country, Kolkata has been through a lot of changes. From delicious sweet dishes that hit all the right spots to spicy fast food, Kolkata street food has it all and without a doubt, your objective should be to try all that there is.
However, among the million varieties of street dishes, not knowing what to try can leaveyou confused and befuddled about where to go. So, to help you find your way around this food maze, below are the best street food places in Kolkata that you must try during your visit to the city.
Kolkata naturally is enviable spot among the foodies. Wherever you go, you can easily runinto a street food stall or two. The sweet dishes here are a thing to die for, while the spicy albeit oily street snacks are popular, too. The Chinese and Tibetan food has some die-hard fans too.
Okay then, let us begin counting Kolkata’s top street food stops where you can enjoy someof the best street food items in the entire country.
Puchkas are one of the most loved street foods in Kolkata. You can find these quick bites inalmost every corner you turn. They are similar to the pani-puri’s, one of the most popular street food items in the country, but with a richer and tangier taste.
If you wish to eat the best puchkas in the city, then the Maharaja Chaat center is your placeto be at. Papri chaat, dum aloo puchkas, and the dahi puchkas are the most popular among the wide variety of chaat items that are served here. Apart from the puchkas, Churmur, another well-known Bengali chaat is also a mainstream street food item here.
Bhawanipore is another similar place that serves one of the best Bengali chaat items. If youhave time and a true desire for Bengali chaat, it would be a sin to miss these two places.
Sweets are a speciality in Kolkata. You can find a sweet shop in every nook of the city and itstricky to choose one best. But if you want to have the creme-de-la-creme of the sweets in Kolkata, then Balaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick is the place to go.
From thick Mishti Dois to drenched in syrup Roshogollas, everything here is mouth-watering. If you are plagued with sweet-tooth-ingitis, this place is a real heaven. Other than this, KC Das, Girish Chandra Dey, and Nakur Chandra Nandy are also very popular sweet shops in Kolkata.
Fun fact, Kathi rolls were first invented in Kolkata and this little store takes the credit forinventing this economical yet heartily tasteful fast food. If you are looking for the most authentic Kolkata Kathi roll then this is the place you should be looking at. It truly serves the most delicious Kathi rolls you will ever have the pleasure of eating.
You can also explore plenty of other restaurants in Park Lane, Kolkata. There are plenty of small stalls across the road that serve freshly made delicious Kathi rolls and other fast food items. Make sure to visit Park Street if you are a true fan of Kathi rolls and other fast food items.
Hunting for a good Tibetan place to eat in Kolkata? Well, Rabindra Sadan Metro Exit iswhere you will find it. This place is known for some of the best street food in Kolkata and major credit goes to the dumplings and momos served with piping hot sauce. If you want your mouth to burn, you are at the right place.
As soon as you exit the metro, you will find a line of stalls, with their colourful cluster,bringing fast food to the levels of popularity it enjoys. Dig yourself in anything your heart demands, the options are never-ending- chaats, Kathi rolls, fried rice, momos, and so much more. You can easily spot the street as it is usually thronged with students and office workers.
I’m sure you have heard of Dum Aloo, a very popular Indian dish. However, in Bengal, thisIndian dish is commonly known as Alu Dom, tweaked to cater to the local taste. This Bengali side of aloo is usually served with Luchi, which is also quite similar to Puris. The dish is collectively known as Luchi-Dom and is one of the best street foods in Kolkata.
If you want to have the best Luchi-Dom in Kolkata, then Fairlie Place the mostrecommended. The kachoris and the combination of Rice and Fish Curry here are also very popular.
Now, Fairlie Place is located near the Stock Exchange Road, which is also a major street foodhub of Kolkata. Make sure to walk down this road too and you will discover some very tasty street food items such as Chilla, Dal Pakori, and Dahi Chaat.
When you ask for street food in Kolkata, people point you to Deckers Lane. This place is sopopular that you can probably say that it is, hands down, the best street food in Kolkata location. You can find every street food item in Kolkata at one single location. From Punjabi to Chinese, everything invites you for a bite.
Missing Deckers Lane, Kolkata is simply not an option if you love truly love street food. The area is liveliest at night, and remains busy till late at night.
I told you not to forget about the authentic Chinese and Tibetan food. If you are a fan, thenyou must visit this area to experience the rich food culture of the Chinese. Rice dumplings and soup is the most sought after breakfast dish you can find here.
However, to get your hands on these, you have to wake up as early as 5:30 AM. There is aheavy rush and the food is usually over by 6:30 or 7:00 AM. You snooze, you lose! You can also find many other varieties of Chinese street food in the area. You just have to explore, for yourself.
Kolkata has a rich culture built around its tea fascination. The traditional tea here wasserved in earthen pots called “Bhaanr”. If you wish to experience this kind of traditional hospitality, then Balwant Singh Eating House has earned its just reputation in being the front-runner.
They serve an interesting concoction called “Doodh Cola”, which as the name suggests, is adelightful combination of milk and cola. Sounds absurd, but try this absolute novel beverage, and you will be hooked!
Those who don’t fear the calories, head straight to Anadi Cabin and try out the famousMughlai Paratha served here. This heavily stuffed and deep fried dish can shake your taste buds so hard that you will push your date with the gym for another day. If you are one of the brave hearts who dare, then do not miss out on the best Mughlai Parathas you may ever eat.
The best part is that they are considerably cheap and pocket-friendly. You can also tryplenty of other dishes served here, but Mughlai Paratha is the bestseller.
Without the mention of Ganguram, the list of the best street food in Kolkata feelsincomplete. This sweet shop is historically famous. It serves a wide range of Bengali sweets that include Jalebi, Mishti Doi amongst others, but the most popular street food item in this shop, by popular votes, is the Kachoris, or as the locals call it, Radhabollobi.
If you are visiting Kolkata, then going to Ganguram should be first on your list. The Kachorishere are one of a kind.
Going to Kolkata and not trying the street food is an unforgivable crime. There are athousand street food items, the list is endless, and if your love for food is genuine, you might end up exhausted but the list won’t.
From hot Kachoris to sugary Mishti Dois, every street food that Kolkata will occupy a place inyour heart. The authentic Chinese and Tibetan food only add more to the rich food culture here, making it one of the best street food destinations in a country that runs on street food!
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April 15, 2024 
