7 Street Foods You Can't Miss When You're In Bengal

Puchka:

This is Bengal's version of pani puri or golgappa. It consists of a crispy, hollow semolina shell filled with a spicy and tangy mixture of mashed potatoes, chickpeas, spices, and tamarind water. The taste is an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

Kathi Roll:

Originating in Kolkata, this has become a national favorite. It's a flaky paratha wrapped around a savory filling, which can include marinated and skewered chicken, mutton, paneer, or mixed vegetables, along with onions, sauces, and sometimes an egg.

Luchi-Alur Dom:

While it can be a light meal, luchi (deep-fried, fluffy flatbread made from refined flour, similar to puri) served with alur dom (a spicy and flavorful potato curry) is a very popular street food combination.

Jhalmuri:

A quintessential Bengali street snack, jhalmuri is a dry, spicy, and tangy mix of puffed rice (muri), chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, various spices, peanuts, and a dash of mustard oil. It's often served in a paper cone and is perfect for munching on the go.

Telebhaja:

These are deep-fried fritters made with a variety of vegetables like potatoes (aloo'r chop), eggplant (beguni), onions (peyaji), and sometimes even fish or meat chops.

Mughlai Paratha:

This is a rich and indulgent deep-fried flatbread stuffed with a savory filling, typically made of minced meat (chicken or mutton), eggs, and onions. It's a substantial snack that reflects the Mughal influence on Bengali cuisine.

Ghugni:

A hearty and flavorful snack made from dried white or yellow peas that are boiled and then often pan-fried with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Try ghugni chaat, which is often topped with onions, coriander, and sometimes tamarind chutney.