Can pani puri beat phuchka? Can bhel puri compete with jhal muri? The straight answer is: NO! Kolkata has bagged the title of India’s Best Street Food Hub for a reason. I am a Bengali who has been living in Mumbai for the last six years, and what I crave more and more with each passing day is good Bengali food. Mumbai as a city has given me everything–but I miss telebhaja, phuchka, jhal muri, and of course, Bangla fish fry. I love the surmai fry that Bombay streets serve–but Kolkata-style fried machh is next level. I am sure every Bengali reading this would agree. I won’t deny that Bombay has a few good Bengali restaurants that serve delicious mutton kosha and pabda jhol–but we are yet to be introduced to some lip-smacking on-the-go Bengali delicacies. So, here’s a list of all the amazing Bengali street food dishes that I sincerely hope someone brings to the city soon:
1. Phuchka
The city has pani puri stalls at every nook and corner, and some of them are damn good. But phuchka is not a snack… it’s a feeling! Let’s not even get into a debate about the aloo that they put in the puri. Uff… that spicy, tangy mix of lebu (lemon), lonka (chilli), and aloo that phuckas have is what foodgasm is made of.
2. Jhal muri
Those who have travelled to Kolkata via trains know what I am talking about. Available at every cranny of the city, puffed rice has never tasted this divine. It’s made with the perfect blend of tangy spices, onion, chopped chillies, small bits of boiled potato, tomatoes, and peanuts with that one slice of coconut on top. Aah! Jeebhe jol (mouthwatering).
3. Ghugni
Boiled white peas with no oil can taste so amazing–and no, we’re not kidding! Mixed with onions, tomatoes, coriander, chillies, lemon, and minimal spices makes this the perfect evening snack.
4. Shinghara
If you love samosas, you have to try the Bengali version of it. Bengali samosas are light and smaller in size, with a thin crust. Also, since Bengalis can’t stay away from the sweet stuff, shingharas have a hint of sweetness. Not very spicy, you can have fish shinghara, mutton shinghara, and even chicken shinghara. So yes, non-vegetarians samosas exist–bring at least one to Mumbai, please!
5. Telebhaja
The Bengali version of bhajjias and fritters, you don’t need monsoon to hog them. Also, Bong fritters are not just limited to palak, onion, and aloo. We have kopi (cauliflower) bhaja, begun (brinjal) bhaja that is popularly known as beguni, potol (parwal/gourd) bhaja, kumro (pumpkin) bhaja, and many more.
6. Aloo Kabli
This lovely mix of aloo and Kabuli chana is a hot fave for all Kolkata peeps. Boiled potatoes mixed with onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, tamarind, and spices–this is best served hot, and is one of the best snacks you can get in the city.
7. Churmur
Cute name, right? This is a variation of phuchka, and is served dry. Crushed phuchkas mixed with mashed potatoes, onions, tamarind puree, and lots of tangy spices–this chatpata snack deserves more attention.
8. Kolkata Chinese
Popularly known as rasta Chinese in Kolkata, this is perhaps the best Chinese food you will ever have. Not exaggerating! I still can’t stop raving about the tastiest prawn fried rice I had from a street vendor in Kolkata. With barely any spice or oil, I wonder how it tasted so heavenly. Can we have a Kolkata style Chinese thela here in Mumbai, please?
