The cultural capital of India, Kolkata, is a city known for its vibrant history, colourful arts scene, and, of course, delicious cuisine. One of the many recognized specialties of Bengal, its flavours have also been extremely famous in indulging the whole world.
While the food of Bengal has evolved with time, the City of Joy is still one of the ideal places to feed your addiction to good food at an Indian restaurant in Kolkata. Most dishes cooked here use mustard oil as one of the primary ingredients. Folks also love their staple diet, which is rice and a mouthwatering fish curry called “macher jhol” by the locals.
Culinary Delights to Try in Kolkata
The City of Joy has several unique and fantastic dishes to offer. Starting from the appetizers and ending with dessert, every item will satisfy your taste buds. Without further ado, this topic will take you to the matter at hand!
1. Luchi & Aloo Dum
Those who have Bengali friends should be familiar with this renowned and much-loved Bengali food. It is one of the most authentic dishes you can find at an Indian restaurant in Kolkata. Whether it is for an occasion or for breakfast, luchi-aloo dum is always the first preference. The popularity of this dish is so high that you should not have any trouble finding an authentic Indian restaurant that serves it.
2. Kosha Mangsho
Mutton is an all-time favourite among the people of Kolkata. So, if you have not tried Kosha Mangsho in Kolkata, you should taste it now. Just like the previous dish, Kosha Mangsho is on the menu of every Indian restaurant offering authentic Bengali dishes. It is a slow-cooked, spicy dish of mutton with various aromatic spices. The chef marinates the meat to make it juicier and more succulent.
3. Shorshe Illish
Fish dishes are quite common in Kolkata, particularly curries, but the one that always takes the cake is Shorshe Illish. Considered one of the tastiest and most famous food items in Kolkata, this dish is presented in several Hilsa festivals organized throughout the city during the monsoon. It is an Indian herring caught in the rivers of India and Bangladesh, mostly during the rainy season. The fish has a soft texture with a lot of oil and bones.
4. Mishti Doi
A meal in Bengal will remain incomplete if Mishti Doi is not served for dessert. Mishti Doi is sweet curd with an incomparable, heavenly level of sweetness. It is a luscious yogurt, sweetened using sugar or jaggery, and has a velvety texture that makes it more appealing. Even if you don’t find it at a restaurant, you can buy it from one of the numerous sweet shops.
5. Kolkata Special Biryani
Every Indian has tasted biryani, but the chefs of Kolkata prepare it a bit differently. Here is a historical anecdote – Wajid Ali Shah organized a grand banquet, but at the time, he experienced a financial constraint that led to a shortage of meat for biryani. To counter the situation, the royal chefs added potatoes and eggs to the rice, along with the small quantity of meat they could gather. This led to the foundation of the Kolkata special biryani.
A Testament
The culinary landscape of Kolkata is a testament to the city’s rich history and diverse cultural influences. From traditional Bengali cuisine to fusion delights and global flavours, there is something to satisfy every taste bud at an Indian restaurant in Kolkata.