Mr. Prem selling some finger licking good kamla puchka at Chattawalla Gully near Territi Bazaar, Old ChinaTown
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Kolkata Chinese Community Blog
Mr. Prem selling some finger licking good kamla puchka at Chattawalla Gully near Territi Bazaar, Old ChinaTown
by vivek, on 08.25.09 @ 9:29 pm
Great the best of the best puchka walla, Cant wait to try its mouth watering puchaka’s.By the way CHATTAWALLA GULLY nice address.
by ycl1688, on 08.25.09 @ 10:00 pm
thanks,leon.
vivek,
This is what i was referring to. He already pre-made some for carry out and the bucketful of shells already running low. from the picture angle I could see his container has the famous aloo dam gravy that goes with the puchka, ask
for it by name. I would suggest you go early around 4-5 pm before everything
runs out. So from the picture i could write detail description, so you are going to meet him in person, you can give us even better description.
By the way his company also sell kachuri around old chinatown square that is also mouth watering. Do not try this at home, its taste can never be the same.
by Alice Leong, on 08.26.09 @ 4:57 am
I left India since 82, I love Kamlas puchkas….missed very much, will make a trip back to get some..
by simon, on 08.26.09 @ 7:08 pm
Hi everyone, it reminded me of my old days. I had few fren staying close by i dont know if they are there, heard many left, even the chinese dhaba has closed down (mannu eating house only available in the late hrs)is not very far from prem puchka maybe 30m facing him.
Yes ycl looking at the light it look like its quite early and his stock is running low. When i was in kolkata, i used to have it very often, now its been a long time looking at the picture it brought back the memory, I really miss kamla puchka, i love his aloo dum also with chat masala, its really mouth watering finger licking good.
by ycl1688, on 08.26.09 @ 8:10 pm
hi vivek,
Just to be sure you do not make a wrong turn
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=22.5626,88.353703&spn=0.004349,0.009645&z=17&msid=103629757754009533349.00047108b11d8a0e002a0
by vivek, on 08.26.09 @ 9:01 pm
Thanks ycl,
I hope i wont, im not bad in direction, but still im human can make mistake. Im sure your map will be very helpful. Cant wait, my mouth is already watering hearing from so many kamla puchka fan’s.
by Bill, on 08.27.09 @ 5:50 am
This really brings back mouth watering memories. However, I’ve been away from Calcutta so long now that I don’t think I can enjoy Mr. Prem’s puchka without getting diarrhea. By the way, I used to live in Phears lane and then moved to just behind the Bow Bazaar police station. The map provided has enough details that I can see where my house would have been, although the exact street does not show up. The Yahoo version has different details, and my old street does show up there.
by ycl1688, on 08.27.09 @ 9:09 pm
Bill,
I believe if you have to try kamla puchka again, it is possible things will happen, yet it is worth it. As the bible says God created the world in 7 days,
things happen in certain ways. Without oil how would arabs survive in those desert lands ?
Back to google map, there is certain national security issues with indian govt,
so it was not represented that accurately.
by vivek, on 08.28.09 @ 8:19 pm
Hi Bill i do agree phuchka does comes with a side effect in fact it goes with all street food, as most are not made in a hygiene condition. diarrhea is in evitable. For this to change it need a revolution as things progress people will be more health conscious and demand for hygiene food will increase so change is inevitable as they will loose their livelyhood.
Yes ycl national security is an issue for india. else GPS wouldnt have taken so long to arrive. As long as national security is an issue we had to live with lot of limitation. Blackberry internet conection was consider a national treat after a lot of review by the govt panel it was passed.
by ycl1688, on 08.28.09 @ 8:51 pm
Vivek,
you are a human gps, when it comes down to hunt down Kamla (king of puchka), you will do it without any map or device. This board has high praise for kamla, his quality is consistent, you can bet on that.
by simon, on 08.28.09 @ 10:00 pm
yes it is true blackberry connection was a threat to national security due to high speed mobile connectivity. Terrorist can misuse it. After some technical changes by blackberry. The service was allowed
by vivek, on 08.29.09 @ 6:17 pm
Hi simon it is true that the indian govt. raised security concerns on emails sent through BlackBerry devices that could not be traced or intercepted.
Thanks ycl, i hope i live up to your expectations, kamla puchka is so popular im keeping all my programe cancelled for tomorro.
I wonder what the arab would have done in the desert if they didnt have oil, god does have a strange way of doing things.
by ycl1688, on 08.29.09 @ 7:09 pm
Vivek,
Definitely worth a trip to taste kamla puchka. After tasting it is good then you may consider to relocate closer to Kamla area. Kamla puchka is known 4 corners of the world as far as Kolkata chinese are concerned.
Anyways I happened to see Kamla HQ where he prepares all the good stuff. Everything seems to be normal and hygiene enough.
Do not forget to bring a container full of puchka back home, if your wife does not accompany you.
Like someone says the taste of pudding is in the mouth. No words can describe
the kamla taste, make sure go easy on your fingers, it is finger licking good. Enjoy.
by vivek, on 08.30.09 @ 7:18 pm
Hi ycl and everyone, I have went and meet Mr.Prem. It was not difficult to find him, two land mark was good enough. Chattawalla gully and kamla puchaka. The gully where his shop was a bit narrow than i thought, Mr. Prem seem to be very proud of his puchaka legacy courtsey to the local chinese who patronised his puchaka, now it seem he is little disappointed as most of his customer has left India. Still his mouth watering puchaka sold off within 3hrs he proudly tells me i.e. 7pm,glad i went there around 4.30pm the crowd was not too many then. to be continue………….
by Li, on 08.30.09 @ 10:16 pm
kamla puchka is still the best among chinese in kolkata but for those chinese taste buds who have left india many years ago, it is only a memorable dream of the past.
i heard of stories from various friends who went back to visit india and fell sick over a week after eating food even in proper indian restaurants. being away from india for such a long time, they had already heeded to warnings of taking extra precaution to shun food at street stalls, including kamla puchka and having all necessary injections taken before trips. yet they did not cope well.
besides the unhygienic and unsanitary method under which the street stalls food are prepared (as mentioned by vivek and bill) there are other reasons like the drinking water, unbearable heat, dust and car honking sound pollution in the streets that caused much disturbance.
kamla’s next generation – probably his son looks like a chip of the old block – face looks like kamla senior. also, the way the puchkas now prepared look more hygienic than the old days – he has a plastic bucket to put them in. by the way, there is now a machine that churns out puchkas automatically untouched by hands.
as for his previous stall which used to be in central avenue, next to a kali temple, under a canvass tent, the other yummy food sold there was the early breakfast aloo puri that come with aloo bhaji in curry sauce. really mouth watering.
between 4-6pm, kamla used to bring his rattan basket on his head and sits ouside the chinese homes in blackburn lane (next to phears lane) where most of his customers are the chinese para kids and youths.
oh, those were the days my friends, yes, the good old days……….
by Alex, on 08.31.09 @ 12:22 am
hey guys since mr.vivek is keeping us suspense on the puchka i really dont know how it taste, hearing from all of you guys my mouth is also watering. On the mean time, check out the songs from bryan adam my favourite singer, i have all his cd collection and posters in my room, videos in my computer which i watch very often. he is the best of the best and the greatest. This is my fav among all of his collections….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn0trfcImiw
enjoy…
by Alex, on 08.31.09 @ 4:13 pm
ops
by vivek, on 08.31.09 @ 4:22 pm
Sorry guys was stuck with work. So couldn’t finish the episode.
I had puchka, churmur and aloo khera, you guys are righ it is the best i had so far, it is definitely worth the trip and if able to locate close to mouth watering foods, just like living next to paradise. i make sure when ever Im this side I will not miss those mouth watering kamlas puchka. The puchka had both the option curry gravy and khatta gravy both brought water to my mouth, and the churmur and aloo daum added pudding on the cake. I took a bagful of puchka home unfortunately my wife went to her mother place, but my kids (aman and tunni) loved it they finished it. Now they demand that I bring it every day. Being located so far is a problem, next time I will suggest mr.prem to start home delivery. Thanks guys for the info it was like discovering hidden treasure of Bengal. Ycl your map was very helpful to locate tiretti bazaar. I haven’t been this side, before when ever i return from howrah station, I cross brabourne road didn’t know it is just stone throw away. If he open up franchise in southern avenue , ballygung or gariahat it will sell like hot cakes.
Enjoyed every bit, it is no doubt it’s finger licking good and im now become a student of licknomic (courtsey KFC)
by ycl1688, on 08.31.09 @ 7:47 pm
Vivek,
Kamla puchka is addictive. Definitely his business is little hurt by the exodus of kolkata chinese.
I believe the next addictive food is the holy month of Ramadaan which is going on right now. In all muslim localities, you will see their goodies such as baigan, onion fries all selling like hot cakes before they break their fast, ever try that ?
by vivek, on 09.01.09 @ 12:58 am
Ah another favourite thats what makes kolkata special, yes i have, when there is something special and if i smell it, i have to try it. Channa are good, baigan chop, aloo chop, pyaju (onion fries) another favourite is Halim (spicy hot) very high in protein.
by Bill, on 09.01.09 @ 2:53 am
All these talk of puchka and aloo dum makes me want to take a trip back to Calcutta, although I know my body won’t be able to take it without violent reaction. Aah, Ramadaan. That’s another festival that we all loved and enjoyed growing up in Calcutta.(Not the religious side, just the food aspect). I can smell the aroma of pyaju just thinking about it.
by richard, on 09.01.09 @ 6:14 am
Hi everyone, same here bill, i wish i can go back and have all the goodies. I have settle in Kaohsiung same like vivek with 2 kids. Things are preety bad here after the heavy rain, mud slide etc. Im planning to settle in singapore. Nice to recall the old memories.
by Dan, on 09.01.09 @ 5:02 pm
Hi Richard,
I wish you and your family well. I’ve seen many touching scenes in the media on the aftermath of typhoon, heavy rain and mudslides in various parts of Taiwan…..at one place, an entire village was buried in mudslides.
I hope your family will find your dream home in Singapore soon, which is not a bad city to live in and to bring up kids in a multi-language environment. With your upbringing in hot and humid Kolkata, I am sure you will adapt to it easily.
The horrific event in Taiwan is yet another proof that human beings are very fragile before mother nature. No matter how advanced a country maybe, e.g. the U.S., they are still inundated with natural disasters and catastrophes.
Stay positive and remain happy. Glad that you’ve visited this blog and have fond memories of the goodies of Kolkata to keep them alive. Good Luck.
by Lai, on 09.01.09 @ 5:52 pm
While Calcuttans called it aloo dum – as bill referred above, people from other parts of india call it dum aloo instead.
My friend once said aloo dum in a casual conversation with an Indian friend who said not to call it aloo dum but dum aloo. that indian friend seemed to imply something which my friend did not understand. does anyone here (vivek) know why ? hope it is not a cesored word here.
besides the kamla puchka, i missed jhal moori alot from kolkata. there are many versions to this from different vendors and cities around india. the one i’m referring to is when the vendors add cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, coriander, mixed grams, chilli, raw onions, chick pea paste (like the greek humus), tamarind water, chutneys, sarsul oil to the fluffy rice puffs. oh, it is really good, which give you that unique flavour of magic in the taste buds.
by ycl1688, on 09.01.09 @ 6:01 pm
Here is the tremendous effect of Kamla, a simple and yet memorable street food of kolkata. It there is an Oscar award for street foods, Kamla will be the winner hands down, there will be more awards go to his sister product such as the morning kachuri at old chinatown, the muslim ramadaan food, the chal muri at the motisil side of lighthhouse cinema, the muslim food behind the statesman house just too many to mention.
Here is a simple fact does not matter how most of the muslim world hate the U.S. the coke of western world still popular.
vivek,
In order to become a good father you will have to keep your kids happy, make frequent stops at kamla and everybody will happy. Now that there are so many more hidden food treasuries I have menitoned and that will keep you
busy and active. Instead of spending three long hours at some unworthy hindi movies, why not treat yourself to good eating.
by vivek, on 09.01.09 @ 10:30 pm
Lai you know how to make the mouth water, Your discription are so good that makes me believe that you can make very good jhal muri honestly you brought water to my mouth. unfortunately I couldnt get the difference between aloo dum and dum aloo (I prefer Aloo Daum) which is my favourite dish.
No doubt ycl kamla puchka will win the awards for the best street food. I love my wife very much unfortunately i couldnt leave any puchka last sunday for her bcos my kids finished them, she think i dont care. Definitly i will buy more when she is home and of course enough for my kids. Does worth every bit. especially when i want to see my wife happy. priceless.
To me the best movie is not worth the good food, my vote is always for good food, but sometime have to listen to the family demands.In fact most of the times,
by simon, on 09.02.09 @ 1:10 am
Hi vivek, thanks for the advertisment of a good father and a loving husband. We like to hear more food i guess.
Jhal muri is the product of bengal no where else you can get better or the varieties of muri, i had a indian fren in school, who taught me to have muri in water mix with sugar really taste good. even with black tea just taste awesome, believe me he even taught me to have it with aloo dum with curry gravy keep getting better, than we have bhel puri with red sweet chutney (i guess must be from mumbai)
The ingredent dan has mention is the ultimate version even made my mouth water. Muri is such an item that you mix anything with it, still taste good. I miss muri too good.
by ycl1688, on 09.02.09 @ 1:30 am
Vivek,
you seem to be the person this board rely on to hunt down the goodies of kolkata, #1 stop will be for the jhal muri at the motisil street side of lighthouse cinema, that is the best of the best muriwala, #2 will be tasting the nizam’s outside stall in new market for ramadan food, as time progress will be sending you more suggestions. thanks for the kamla effect, that keep you busy.
by Bill, on 09.02.09 @ 4:33 am
Hi ycl,
Is Nizam near New Market still open? I heard that it was shut down for a while. Loved their kathi rolls, especially their khiri rolls. People can attempt to make kathi rolls elsewhere in other countries, ( I had them in Toronto), but no where have I seen khiri kabobs or rolls. Their parathas are so good that I can just have them plain, without the kabobs. Gotta stop, I’m already drooling just writing about them.
by Lai, on 09.02.09 @ 11:06 am
Talking about khiri kawab rolls – name in English is cow udders’ rolls.
This reminds me of an intersting experience I had while on business trip in Jerusalem, Israel sometime ago.
In Middle East, both muslims and jews like to eat cow, goat, lamb and camel internal organs (like heart, intestines, udders etc.), beside their meat and bones cooked in soup or stew. It is common to have these organs marinated in sauce then grilled, fried, cooked in stew, made into kawab, curried etc…
During one occasion, in a canteen, an American Caucasian colleague and I walked around the food counters serving various kinds of hot middle east meat and internal organ dishes with rice, pita bread, syrian bread, hummus, falafel etc.. on offer. We were given the dishes name in Hebrew and without actually knowing what they were, we had them served into our plates. So, in our plates, we had doner kawab in pita bread, falafel etc…….including cooked cow’s udder.
Upon arriving at the dining table and when my American colleague took his first big bite of the cow’s udder, I asked him if he knew what he was eating and he said no.
When I told him what he was savouring, he immediately threw up on the table, causing much embarrssment to him and others on the table.
My colleague then blushed and had given the idea of eating.
On reflections, I feel uncomfortable for telling him during his first bite when later I learnt that he did not actually know what food he had actually asked for at the counters.
In our dishes, I saw big cow’s hearts served, but I did not dare to try them.
by Mike, on 09.02.09 @ 4:55 pm
READERS, PLEASE READ WITH DISCRETION:
Khiri (cow udders) kabab is an exotic Indian food. Cow udders are rarely bought and prepared at home other than sold as khiri, which is a spiced marinated grilled kabab roll of paratha. Accompanied with some chopped raw Indian onions, secret masala and lemon juice, it can be really mouth-watering.
On exotic food, I once had a very challenging experience in South Africa. This happened right immediately after a full day of happy safari adventure at Palinsberg National Park – where in an open jeep you come face to face with all kinds of wild animals in their natural habitat.
Then, I was invited to dinner at a Western European restaurant in Johannsberg housed in a train wagon. I forgot the name of the restaurant name. The decor and ambience of the restaurant look no different from any other restaurants on earth, but the food they serve was nerve breaking.
The restaurant had a few rows of cooked food laid on top of smartly linen tables. The food containers are kept warm with small burners. Right on top of each food container was the picture of the wild animal of South Africa in which the dish with a titled name was prepared in curry, stew, fried, stir-fried etc. While some food were fried and dried, others in heavy gravy.
Slowly and unwittingly, I took a small piece of cooked meat from dishes of elephant, lion, tiger, crocodile, ostrich, wild bufffalo, rhinocerous, giraffe, zebra, monkey and what nought….I thought I could give it a try, but it was overwhelming when the thought of these creatures starting to move in my head. The restaurant was probably one of the few restaurants there that had the license to sell these exotic meat dishes.
I ended up eating nothing leaving all food in my plate intact, not even the usual food of beef steak, pork or chicken also served there would exite my hunger anymore. What I only had in that evening were drinking a few glasses of cokes in ice.
The feeling of seeing those dishes was beyond my comprehension while I blushed with blood streaming up my head. My face looked like a red over blown-up balloon……..I wasn’t sure if it was fear or defeat……
by ycl1688, on 09.02.09 @ 6:16 pm
Bill,
The last I know Nizam’s at New Market was under lock and key because of union organized shut down, maybe someone can confirm this, yet their outlet stores in amusement park still operating. I believe outside the main store striking employees still doing business, what a strange business practice. The khiri roll you mentioned just melts in your mouth feeling, that will lingers in one’s mind forever. It has its unique texture and texture unparalleled in
other foods. In the same sense the cow stomach, the kolkata chinese used in cooking with mustard green pickle or rice noodle with fermented wine yeast is another one of memorable meals.
One last thing a cup of tea at sabir is what people long for. So catch the first plane back to Kolkata.
Lai,
What your colleague demonstrates he is a typical american with diets – hamburgers, hot dog and fries.
Mike,
since you mentioned about wildlife in africa, no wonder the chimps have left behind many orphans chimps, with the adults being killed by native as foods.
by Li, on 09.02.09 @ 6:44 pm
I quite like lamb doner kawabs because of the kathi roll effect of Calcutta in which I was brought up.
Whenever I travel around the world, I would be delighted to find one by chance so that I could check on them to sample it.
I had tried them in the U.S. (Oregon), Australia (Sydney), Israel (Ben Yhueda), Hong Kong (Turkish restaurant), the U.K., Singapore and …….
Personally for me, the best of the best is in the U.K. – in London’s Holborn Area – adjacently across the YMCA International hostel is a Greek restaurant that sells all kinds of doner kawab as specialities food. This is not an expensive restaurant, but the food is fresh with plenty of Greek salads and raw onions to come with in various sauces. Like the kathi roll of Calcutta, the doner kawab is served in pita bread wrapped in a white sheet of paper for takeaway. There is also dine-in service.
From a distance, you would smell the aroma of cooked marinated lamb meat from the special skewers. It was never a miss, especially in the cold bitterly winter evenings, when one is warmly wrapped up in thick coats and walking past it on way home to catch a bus or to tube station. Your stomach would automatically prompt you the urge from hunger for food.
As a student while doing my professional course in London, I always liked to patronize this restaurant for takeaways. As I walked along the road, I would really enjoy each bite of the kawab with fulfillment. Somehow, I always linked the experience with that of Calcutta kathi roll.
Delicious….yummy.
by vivek, on 09.03.09 @ 8:21 am
Hi everyone, sorry i was away, good to see the food is getting continental, exotic and exciting, though some of the exotic food mentioned i wouldnt dare try. ycl nizam has open up again, heard it runs by the employee with the share of the owner. its been a while i have been to new market region after the mall culture has arrive here,since my wife like branded stuff, Thanks for the suggestion ycl i would like to visit the place soon. So eager to try those item you have mentioned.
mike Its really sad to know that wild animal are still killed for food. since we are trying to preserved the beaautiful nature. Mike im really glad that you didnt try those wild life food, there are so many yummy food available 24×7. with home delivary services.Dont you think ?
by simon, on 09.03.09 @ 5:56 pm
hey dude’s the food section is getting mouth waterey and the hot khiri kawab brought back the memory of kolkata, keep up the good work buddy’s.
I go back to mumbai very often since i have left kolkata years back. i have tried searching khiri kawab in mumbai but in vain, i have asked few muslim fren too, they have no clue.
I will try lamb doner kawabs since Li has mention it taste like khiri.
Good to know that Nizam has opened up, those who brought up in kolkata has lot of memory attached to it how can i forget the famous kati roll and the adda with frens, lot of fond memories.
“i’m Lovin’ it” from Mcdonald.
by ycl1688, on 09.03.09 @ 6:06 pm
As the kalma effect has been so popular, at Forum section on the top tab of this page, you will find lot more about food, practically every dish under the sun has been covered.
So enjoy yourself or make yourself some good food.
“Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.” Orson Welles.
by richard, on 09.04.09 @ 9:09 pm
Hi, dan
Thanks for the good wishes, Im glad to come across this site, it did brought back the old memories, My wife family is from Singapore it wont be difficult to settle there, things are very bad here, our town is worst hit, It is sad that many are still seaching for their love one’s,
We have taken the decision considering our children future. I still like taiwan since im settle here for the past 13 years got married etc. Now things are tough here, anyway goodluck to you too.
by ycl1688, on 09.05.09 @ 12:19 am
Richard,
Having seen both places, I believe you made a wise choice between S’pore and taiwan. In my opinion S’pore is lot more regulated with laws and order, you cannot chew gums and have to flush the toilet and so on.
Yet people are friendlier in singapore. I was reading a subway map, yet a gentleman offered to help with direction. And it is closer to kolkata, ‘little
india’ just reminds me of South india, some indian dishes are too good to miss. It is a cutting edge technology society.
You hardly see policemen walking around in Singapore, unlike Cuba where there are 4 millions cops with 2 millions civilians.
Good luck with your move.
by Bill, on 09.05.09 @ 2:35 am
Hi Richard,
Watched the tragedy brought by the typhoon unfolding on TV. It is very sad that so many people died. I lived in Taiwan (Taipei) for about 8 years and never witnessed a natural disaster of this magnitude. Good luck to you in Singapore.
ycl,
Chewing gum is now allowed into Singapore. Depending on a person’s perspective and personal choices, Singapore has its advantages. It is everything you said it is. However, one thing about Singapore. It is a benevolent police state. I loved visiting Singapore, but I would never choose to live there.
Now back to food………
by Dan, on 09.05.09 @ 7:43 am
Hi Richard,
Since your wife is Singaporean, I think you’ve opted for the right place – Singapore – to move your family to from Taiwan although the feelings of leaving Taiwan will be a tough decision after spending so many years there.
Jet Li, the International Chinese martial superstar of Hollywood, has recently moved his family from U.S. to Singapore for permanent residency. This is because he and his wife considered Singapore to be the best place to bring up their children where the environment is much superior than the U.S.
I hope your family will quickly settle down in Singapore and forget the current natural disaster experience in Taiwan soonest possible.
by Alex, on 09.06.09 @ 10:47 am
You guys are right Singapore is one of the safest city in the world and also called the Garden city, official language is English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, i was surprice to find Tamil on the list and not Hindi. Talk about flushing the toilet, few yrs back one colleague of mine went to Switzerland for holiday, He was surprice to know that it was illegal to flush the toilet after 10pm, since he was staying in his friend apartment, ultimately he went and stayed in a hotel which cost him fortune, He told me he was glad he slept well atleast.
Richard even i heard the about typhoon , I hope your love one are fine ? all the best to you for your future in Singapore.
Typhoon is an annual event in Florida US.
by ycl1688, on 09.06.09 @ 6:46 pm
alex,
talking about singapore most of the indians are from south, british raj imported labor from south india to work at rubber plantations.
about flushing toilet in Australia there are 2 buttons to flush #1 (more water) and #2 (less) to conserve water. whereas in kolkata it is free for all and water are hardly wasted.
by ycl1688, on 09.06.09 @ 7:09 pm
Maybe more good stuff in Kolkata are missing here, the number of comments of this topic is a record setting one. Food experts, please comment.
Here’s the Must-have dessert list:
Mishti Doi & Rosogolla from Mithai (Beckbagan)
Sandesh (all types) from Balaram (Bhowanipur) (Naram pak & Ice
cream sandesh), Nakur’s at Shimle. Bhim Nag in Boubazar.
Pantua from Bancharam
Indrani from Ganguram
Rabri from Ganguram
Darbesh & Kheer er chop from Sen Mahasay in Shyambazar.
Amritti from Bhim Nag/Ganguram, Maniktala (Jalebis are no match)
Patishapta – A delicate crepe with a filling of coconut and gur at Puntiram.
Chhanar payesh – Better than rabdi anyday and does not weigh your stomach down, at Putiram (College Street)
Miscellaneous:
Alukabli – Another must try at Vivekananda Park or opposite Menoka
Cinema. This is a chat like stuff with boiled potatoes, germinated choleys, ginger juliennes etc. with juice of lemon. I had to wipe my mouth while writing about it.
Kuler achar – the best outside Gariahat market. This is a chutney made with a particular berry which is available in the winter. Try this along with Aloo Posto, hot rice & Urad dal.
Shukno mashla makha tetul – Available with the churanwalas outside all
schools, much to the delight of the students and dismay of the parents, it is made with tamarind.
Bikrampurer kashundi – Mustard just pales next to this, available in most Bengali grocery shops. Bhetci macher fry with sliced onions & Kashundi. Dijon take a back seat here.
Aamer morobba – the best outside Gariahat market, this is a mango preserve.
Mochar chop – A delight even for the staunchest non vegetarians, banana flower stuffing in a potato cover braided with bread crumbs & deep fried, at the Tele bhaja shops in Baghbajar & Shyam bazaar. Plucking out the small florets is a big job so most ladies today simply don’t cook it at home these days.
Kumro phul bhaja – In tiny little food joints around Chittaranjan Avenue. These are pakoras made with the fresh yellow flowers of Pumpkin. We often eat them with hot rice to which gawa ghee has been added.
Dulaler tal mishri- Candies made from the juice sapped from Palmyra trees. Tasty & good for cough & cold. These were all the medicines we took as a child when noses began to run.
Ujjala’s Chanachur ( no comparison anywhere): Even Haldiram’s don’t any where come Close to it.
Dab er sarbat at Paradise at College street. One of the young managers used to practice tabla sitting there & it was great to hear him play while sipping the Sarbat on a summer afternoon.
Cakes, pastries & patties at Nahum’s in new Market. I still can visualize the shop during X-Mass time, ginger loaves, marzipans, cinnamon rolls, plum cakes, mince pies & for us who had ordered months in advance with full payment bottles of resin wine, the excise department just kept their eyes closed during this period & no one ever complained.
Baked beans on toasts at Flury’s.
Simply delicious:
Kasha mangsho- a mutton curry at the Golbari at Shyambazar. Quarter of a plate used to be enough for one person. Even with a lot of research I haven’t yet cracked the trick I must admit. Although it is referred as Punjabi food in Kolkata I haven’t found it anywhere in Punjab.
Muri ghonto – Defies description, this one is rice cooked with rohu fish heads. Check out at Suruchi Elliot road.
Daab Chingri from Kewpies (Elgin Lane): This is Prawn cooked in coconut.
Chicken Cutlet near Samur (Bhowanipur)
Moghlai Parota from Anadi Cabin (S N Banerjee Road). This is a crisp paratha with egg & mince filling.
Chelo Kabab from Peter Cat: This can’t be explained…..
Double Egg Chicken Roll from Kusum (Park Street )
Steak at Oly pub (with beer!!): This joint is also at Park Street.
Champ & Biriyani at Royal hotel in Chitpoor. Close competition for Karims in Delhi although the menu is different.
Kochuri & Tarkari from Tasty Corner (Mandeville Gardens) & various tele bhaja shops at residential localities.
Kabiraji Cutlet from Regent (S N Banerjee Road). The speciality of this dish is the fluffy & crunchy wrapping made with egg whites. Thanks to a Bengali lady who has dared to open a Bengali restaurant where we live in Delhi & has imported some good cooks from Kolkata. We get to eat this stuff now!
Bijoli Grill’s Fish Roll.
Phulkopir Singara from Mrityunjoy (Lansdowne), small Samosa’s with cauliflower filling. Best enjoyed with a steaming cup of good Darjeeling tea.
Pabda Paramaditya, a delicate fish cooked in a very tasty gravy at Aheli.
Bread & hot mutton stew at Dekker’s lane at lunch time on working days only.
Roti & mutton curry at Aminia. What a treat after a film at one of the many theaters near by or after a tiring shopping at the New Market..
Pulao & mutton rezalla at Shiraz.
by vivek, on 09.06.09 @ 10:38 pm
ycl i must confess the food here made me droll, and i feel like a stranger in kolkata, wondering how did i miss these hot spot, im going to try them all very soon. Thanks.
by Dan, on 09.07.09 @ 8:11 am
Ycl688,
Omg, what a good write-up!!!! thumbs up to you.
after leaving kolkata to a foreign shore for a few decades, the list really makes me droll like vivek – while i have almost forgotten most of the food by their indian names listed out here.
one thing for certain i haven’t forgottn is the churunwalla stuff. a good description about the children’s delight and the parents’ dismay; because it helps the children to excrete the extra gas from their little stomachs, which pollutes the family room.
by ycl1688, on 09.07.09 @ 5:21 pm
sorry guys, the write up is courtesy of indiamike kolkata forum. Neglect to mention this.
by simon, on 09.08.09 @ 5:20 pm
Ycl, pls dont be sorry, we like to thank you for being kind enough to post such finger licking good post. In fact if i go back to calcutta i will definitely use the goody information. Thanks a lot!
by ycl1688, on 09.08.09 @ 10:54 pm
Dan,
Since you brought up the churnwalla, his merchandise include churn balls in inoculation refill bottles, later years when I was around Blackburn lane ( the Chinese funeral home), noticed some guys were washing those bottles ready to load the churn balls into the bottles. Thinking about these bottles, my body must have been ‘detox’ by the residue, who knows how well they clean the bottles!
by Dan, on 09.09.09 @ 2:42 pm
yc1688,
You give me stomach ache immediately and wanting to vomit out…….these used innoculation bottles should never ever be reused. In countries outside India, they needed be properly disposed of by law with strong labelling requirement with words of “chemical & toxic waste” which require special treatment in incinerators.
Thank God, at least in our time, the Churunwallas are not so sophisticated in packaging their wares. I remember that they had the churun wrapped up in dirty newspaper – while being unhygienic, it is not as deadly as packaging them into these toxic used bottles which are hazardous to health.
I know of the fact that churun is made up of very dirty ingredients. The vendors used their dirty legs to mix the dough, which then put into their dirty palms (unwashed after toilet use) to roll into round balls. All in all, it was a once childhood experience with fond memories, but not one that I would want to try again now.
If ever I am being offered churun now from the street vendors just like the good old days in the past, it will be a definite no, no, no. By the way, I think nowadays, even Haldiram have churnun for sale in their products range. So, with this made into an export item, it may be produced in a cleaner and more hygienic environment.
by ycl1688, on 09.09.09 @ 7:56 pm
Hi Dan,
Sorry to let you feel the reaction of unhygienic condition in kolkata. Using newspaper to make bags and wraps were common, the lettering stick to food were nothing unusual. The traces of lead in one’s body is unknown. At the end of the day what counts are the tongue swallowing foods that are found in that place.
by Patricia, on 09.14.09 @ 8:26 am
Hi Richard,
Read your comments on Tangra-on line, you are right now residing in Kaoshiung are you seem to be an overseas chinese from Calcutta if I am not wrong heard you are planning to settle down in S’pore heard is a good and safe place to live in is there any idea how to do the paper works, myself and my family is living in Taipei since there are no hopes for the future I even thought of migrating to S’pore to take a trial, since my hubby does not like to living in Canada, so we have to stopped thinking of Canada now and hope to see the better at Spore any idea would appreciate very much.
Thnx…
by richard, on 09.15.09 @ 7:15 pm
Hi patricia, i can tel you only when i succeed, i can tell you now is your age should be below 45, good qualification no criminal back ground etc.
by Mark, on 10.21.09 @ 1:46 pm
To:
Bill and all who still reminiscent of Nizam’s Kathi Rolls, Chicken Rolls and Khiri Rolls, here’s a short clip of Nizam’s Restaurant, Kolkata’s very own and all-time favourite by Kolkatans whether living in or out of the City of Joy. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkU6ZRtgLdM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdlREtO0gxc&feature=related
To: vivek, simon & all who love jhal muri, here’s the art of making it. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdlREtO0gxc&feature=related
by ycl1688, on 10.21.09 @ 5:57 pm
Mark,
Thanks for the videos. It is Nizam food that forever itched into one’s memory for a life time. And the comfort food at the highest level. The aroma flows around for miles. It is simply the best of the best. Too bad it is still under the red banner with
lockout sign.
by vivek, on 10.21.09 @ 6:39 pm
Dear Mark, Thanks for those lovely food links. I have in fact learn to make roll, There is some problem with the jhal muri link, if it can be re-linked. Thanks.
Ycl loved those video in the forum section, too good, really enjoyed the stuffs.
Thanks a million guys
by Mark, on 10.21.09 @ 7:12 pm
To: Vivek,
Oops! Somehow the link was not attached properly.
Here it is again. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaSuHPIjEl4&feature=related
by ycl1688, on 10.21.09 @ 7:15 pm
Vivek,
why do you want to make roll at home, it is right in your backyard, does nizam’s has outlets in different parts of kolkata ? As for jhal muri the famous one, the champion is around lighthouse cinema, the betram street side (new market side). You will not miss it if you go day time.
by vivek, on 10.21.09 @ 9:25 pm
Thanks Mark, jhal muri made my mouth water.
Ycl Nizam does not have any branch in kolkata, I heard they have a branch in UK, not confirm heard from one of their staff.
I would like to make roll at home becos my wife, she is vegge, so i can make roll with stuffing like lettuce,jalapeño,mushroom, Pumpkin, tofu will be a good experiment, lot of mayonnaise and some chilli sauce.
by ycl1688, on 10.21.09 @ 9:32 pm
Hi Vivek,
The jhel muri on video seems to be different variation, the one I know is with
cucumber, peanut, shredded coconut and many more good stuff, finale is with mustard oil (caluwa tal), does it sounds familiar to you ?
by simon, on 10.21.09 @ 10:43 pm
Hi Mark, Loved the jhal muri, I have tried the mumbai version not that good, Kolkata version the best, cant get it anywhere else. Thanks.
by lee Sen, on 10.22.09 @ 6:35 pm
Hi vivek, I think you have not made roll, It is PAZZA (indian version).
Get it patented, you never know, you can become the next Colonel Sanders inventer of kfc!
I wonder how you guys invented khercheri (boil rice mix with all sorts of i dont know).
great work of arts!
Hip Hip Hurray !!
by vivek, on 10.22.09 @ 8:26 pm
Hi ycl, Yes it does sound familiar to me, It reminded me of my school days.
during break We buy 2 Rs. jhal muri is enough for 2 person. miss those days.
Having 5 Rs. in the pocket felt like rich man.
Lee Sen, You are right, it is a big problem, which I have not yet being able to sort out with myself, I have a reputation at home. I start towards the east , but somehow I land up in the west. Once I have tried to make momo, but end up making singara. I got applaud for making singara. maybe i should have tried making singara would have made a great momo.
by alex, on 10.23.09 @ 12:21 pm
Hi vivek, i can explain why you start towards the east and end on the west.
very simple proceed straight towards the east without turning left or right, and you can only reach west. interesting what do you think ?
by vivek, on 10.24.09 @ 10:33 pm
Hi alex, you are right, how come I never thought of that, Now I should head for Mars that is where I belong.
I feel like asking my mother, she must have found me on the roadside and adopted me.
by Bill, on 11.20.09 @ 6:09 am
Today’s Telegraph has an article talking about Calcutta’s representative food. Puchka headed the list and Eau Chew Restaurant also made the list.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091120/jsp/entertainment/story_11761112.jsp
Enjoy, Calcuttan. Makes me want to go back for a visit.
Bill
by stephen, on 11.20.09 @ 2:58 pm
Thanks Bill, for the link.
Nice article on food, even made me wants to go back, those amazing moments of the past are only memories. wonder when will i be lucky again.
by vivek, on 11.21.09 @ 12:22 am
Hi Stephen
fond memories are priceless, Specially the precious one’s cannot be forgotten. I still like to visit the place that i loved, when i was young, cant express how i feel, It has been part of my life and growing up. It has made me the person im. Stephen you should visit your place to recollect the past. You will definitely feel great.
by ycl1688, on 01.06.10 @ 10:11 pm
Kamla let me down when I had a chance to visit him on mid december last year, i was told he went back to his village, looks like the reason is either too high of potatoes price, he could not make enough profit or he has earned too much not to bother with business for a while. There is always next time.
by Slyvester, on 03.05.10 @ 6:31 am
After many years abroad, I returned to Kolkata recently for a visit. I purposedly took an early morning ride from Tangra to Old Chinatown in Tiretti Bazzar for a Chinese Breakfast.
While I was taking pictures of surroundings and sampling some of the food, I became interested when I found an Indian man making and selling Chinese fried donuts (round and long type). To my surprise, just beside him, there were four men making/frying small aloo puri – the familiar food that I used to enjoy as a teen. On looking carefully, I saw a face of Kamla look-a-like and I instantly asked if he was Kamla’s junior and he acknowledged. So, I took a picture and sampled his puri/bhaji food.
I asked Kamla’s junior if there is still a puchka stall in Central Avenue where the family live, next to the Kali Temple, i.e. the one I used to visit as a child and he said yes. Also, with all Chinese disappeared in Black Burn/Phears Lane, the daily evening puchka stall had now moved from Balck Burn Lane to Chattawala Gully, right behind Welland Gouldsmith School. Further, on every Sunday, Kamla would take his stall to Tangra to provide his puchka food to the Chinese folks there. Unfortunately while I was in Chattawala Gully in the evening, I only saw him making puchka but did not try for fear of disturbing my stomach with the kutta.
I also went to Nizam’s for kathi rolls – khiree and beef. Unfortunately, Nizam’s don’t have both as they now only serve chicken and button and also not in rolls. I sampled that with mutton biryani and returned the next evening to sample from UP, the shop next to Nizam’s, for their kathi khiree and beef rolls. The food was OK.
One morning in Tangra before leaving Kolkata, I ate too many kathi rolls in one shot to a point that my stomach starts to feel unwell. I realize it’s the greasy oil from parathas that caused it.
I learnt that you need to eat within limits no matter how much you like the food or how good the food is.