Here is some information related to Bengal’s treditional food , which is based on the question asked in UPSC and IAS exams . This article is published after analyzing the interview question of toppers of UPSC and Civil services and IAS exams .
IT’S said the way to a Bengali’s heart is through the stomach. Kolkata, the bustling metropolis also happens to be one of the country’s best destination for street food-lovers.
Food vendors are everywhere serving every¬thing from famous Bengali snacks to full meals of rice and curry.
Surrounded by the constant stream of honk¬ing, foot traffic, and hawkers, there’s nothing better than biting into a tasty snack and wash¬ing it down with a clay cup of chai or chaa.
Savouring Kolkata street food has to be one of the best things to do in Kolkata!
Jhal Muri
Jhal Muri is one of the most famous and om-nipresent Bengali street snacks represented in Kolkata. Nearly everywhere you look, you’ll find avendor selling jhal muri.
It consists of puffed rice (like rice krispies), fried dal, peanuts, random crunchy things, fresh chopped onions, a few bits of fresh tomatoes, coriander, a handful of masala seasonings, and a light drizzle of mustard oil to top things off.
The ingredients are all added to a metal can and stirred up so the mustard is fragrant throughout the mixture. It’s eaten like a bag of chips, almost always from a newspaper bag.
Pani Puri (Puchka or Golgappa)
Though known in different names throughout the country by different names, this is one of the most iconic and beloved Indian street food snacks. It begins with a puri, a hoi- «, |
low round chip, that’s filled with spiced s potatoes, and dunked into tamarind water before being served and eaten in a single bite.
Pani puri is an explosion of crunchy spice and flavor with a burst of watery goodness.
Ghuoni
Generally made from yellow peas (also known as yellow split peas), this Kolkata street food is a favourite among all cut¬ting across the age-framer.
The smouldering hot peas are added to a small leaf bowl, mixed with tomatoes
served with a wooden spoon, and known locally as ghugnichaat.
Bhel Puri
Especially famous in Mumbai, this is the Kolkata version of the famous Indian chaat (snack). Little crunchy curls (that almost taste
like uncooked ramen noodles), boiled potatoes, puffed rice (like in jhal muri), red onions, and coriander form the base of bhel puri. The dry and fresh ingredients are then dressed and mixed with tangy tamarind and spicy dressing. It’s tangy, sour, sweet and spicy, crunchy and fresh… in every bite.
Batata Puri—Bengali style Popular throughout India, this Kolkata version of papri chaat\s a little different in that it doesn’t incorporate nurd (yoghurt) like North Indian variations like in Delhi street food. It be¬gins with little deep fried fritters which are like chips that are laid out flat and covered in spiced potatoes, and a bunch of chutneys and sauces. It’s like nachos, Indian style.
Veg Chow
Until you arrive in Kolkata, you won’t be able to understand how Chinese and Tibetian food influ¬enced street food of the city. Veg chow (short for vegetable chowmein), as it’s commonly known in Kolkata, is stir fried noodles mixed with a few sprigs of veggies. The noodles are scorched on high heat in Indian style woks so they are smokey flavoured, and a bit on the greasy side. A plate of veg chow is
salty, and danger-ously tasty. Freshly cut Fruit
Fruit is cheap and widely available throughout India. These plates of pre¬cut fruit in Kolkata are a little fresh fruit salad. Momos (Fried and Steamed)
Momos, the ubiquitous dumplings in Tibet and Nepal, are
also commonly consumed Kolkata.
There are two versions, the steamed version, and the fried version. Veg is very com¬mon, but you can also find chicken, and even pork if you visit the Chinese- inhabited Ter- reti market in the morning.
Kati Roll (Kathi Roll)
One of the most famous contribu¬tions of Kolkata to the world of In¬dian street food is the ‘Kati RoH’.JJls essentially a paratha that’s stuffed
with a choice of filling and wrapped into a handheld treat —like a burrito.
Chicken or mutton kebab meat, and eggs, are the common fillings, but paneer is also an op¬tion. As for Kolkata street food, when you’re craving something greasy and tasty, a kati roll is sure to please. Badsha & Nizam’s are credited with introducing the original kati roll in the city. Light Meal
Light meal options are also popular on the streets of Kolkata. One of the favourite light meals or snacks is aloo-gobi vegetable curry paired with freshly made chapatis that are roasted straight over the fire. Served with a wedge of red onion, chutney, and fresh chillies, this is a fantastic light meal.
Full Meal
But snacks alone cannot fully satisfy, especially when one is really hun-
gry… and luckily Kolkata street food supplies some seriously tasty full meal options as well.
Both James Hickey Sarani (formerly known as Dacker’s Lane), Dalhousie Square and Camac Street are favourite streets for lunch. Rice and a variety of curries on top is a normal filling meal that also tastes wonderful.
Ice Cream Cone
Though it can’t be included in the list of street food, but we have to include it as it’s the cheap¬est ice cream available on the Earth. For just f 7 you can get a single scoop cone!
Mango Lassi
A lassi is one of the creamiest versions of a milk¬shake. This mango lassi tastes like mango puree combined with yoghurt and blended into a per¬fect concoction. Atthe end, a few nuts and slices of cheese are tossed on top to complete a bever¬age that has to be one of the best things to con¬sume in all of Kolkata.
Chaa in a clay cup Along with the delicious list of Kolkata street food, you’ll need a beverage to wash it all down, and it is, chaa as tea is fondly called in Bengal In Kolkata, they use clay cups to serve nearly every cup of chaa. So, while any visitor will have a truly memorable time visiting the attractions in Kolkata, but as a food lover, there is noth¬ing as memorable as the Kolkata street food. Not only are snacks and meals widely sold are tasty & fresh, the vendors are very courteous and excited to serve their customers.