Kolkata Street Food To Try During Durga Puja

Besides Rosogolla, the only thing that can instantly bring a twinkle in the eyes of Bengali folks, is the famous Durga Puja celebration. 

Crowned as one of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites, Durga Puja is no longer a mere religious festival but a promising picture of joy, unity and feast. 

Be it the festive clamour, the mesmerising pandal craftsmanship or the delectable food, every year Durga Puja offers a cocktail of nostalgia and ava- garde that the natives yearn to feel for the entire year.

 Hence, to soak in the classic Durga  Puja experience, you must dig in some traditional Bengali street food while making your way into the pandal hopping business. Because there's no better way to enjoy the four days of Durga Puja without welcoming a few pounds of cultural goodness from Kolkata's famous foodaries.

Phuchkas 

To munch on some scrumptious fried shells loaded with an assortment of spices with potato fillings and a pinch of tamarind sauce really makes you appreciate the simple things in life. Found in every corner of Kolkata's street, this uncomplicated dish, known to be phuchka (a distant cousin of panipuri and golgappa), is a true testament of Kolkata's rich culinary history. 

Kobiraji Cutlet

If your appreciation for crunchy treats increases after trying Phuchka, then we present to you Kobiraji Cutlet next in  line. Flaky from the outside and solid from the inside, a Kobiraji Cutlet will satisfy all your cravings in just a bite. Made by a generous coating of deep-fried eggs that wraps around spicy minced meat or fish, this cutlet can be tasted in one of Kolkata's oldest eateries called Mitra Cafe.

Biriyani 

Having a plate of authentic Kolkata style Biriyani is synonymous with sealing a satisfied Durga Puja experience. Besides the distinct blend of spices, kewra essence and mitha atar,  the famous Kolkata biriyani also stands out  by bringing the star flavour permeating aloo in it. To lick some tender aloo and meat off your fingers, you can visit some of the oldest biriyani joints of Kolkata such as Arsalan  or Shiraz. 

Kathi Roll

It would be a shame to explore the street snacks of Kolkata without giving one of its front runners their due credit. The name originating from the meat being skewered in bamboo kathi (stick), Kathi roll is nothing short of a meaty boon from the Bengal Culinary Gods. This ghee-dripping kathi Paratha which is stuffed with seasoned meat, onion and exquisite sauce, patiently waits for you at the Nizam's restaurant.

Luchi And Aloo Dum

A crisp luchi bite (a variation of puri) accompanied with a chunk of  potato smeared in a peppery gravy  is all it takes to fall in love with Bengali cuisine. This traditional Bengali breakfast, which is treated both as a street food and a delicacy, is your one way ticket to bless your tastebuds. To relish on some golden-fried luchi and mouth watering aloo dum, you can make your way to Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick  sweet shop. 

Written by Sampurna Roy