From rolls to fish fry and Kolkata-style biryani and Mutton Kosha to be mopped up with fluffy Luchis, every Bengali is a happy camper, when it comes to stuffing his or her face with homegrown food from the state. And when Durga Pujo is happening this weekend, you need to plan your life and your meals between pandal hopping. We have worked out (or rather eaten our way through) a trail of Bengali restaurants and joints you need to hit for some Bong style feasting.
Mach, Mishti And More: Celebrate Pujo With A Bengali Meal in Town
Oh! Calcutta
If it’s Bengali food, it’s got to be at Oh! Calcutta. Smoked Hilsa (boneless), Gondhoraj Maach (steamed fish flavoured with Gondhoraj lime), Daab Chingri (prawns cooked in coconut milk and served in a tender coconut shell) and Kosha Mangsho (spicy mutton with a dry gravy) are mainstays here to be had with steamed rice or puffed-up luchis. Finish up your meal with a bowl of Nolen Gur ice cream, ice cream infused with palm jaggery syrup.
Bhojohori Manna
Named after the popular Bengali song sung by Manna Dey, this restaurant is known for its budget eats with Kolkata street food-style snacks, extensive fish, chicken and mutton menu plus specials such as Potoler Dolma (gourd stuffed with minced meat or prawns), Postor Bora (fritters made with a paste of poppy seeds), Dhaka-style Mutton Biryani and more. Apart from Koramangala 6th Block, they also have a restaurant in Jayanagar.
Esplanade
Fish Fry, Gandharaj Chingri and Fish Orly are some of the starters you can gorge on here. Follow this up with mains such as Cholar Dal, Doi Potol, Kacha Lanka Murgi, Daab Chingri and Mutton Dak Bungalow (the menu will change daily). You can end your meal with Rosogolla Payesh (syrupy rasgullas dunked in sweet reduced milk) and mishti doi. This is happening at their Indiranagar outlet.
Bangaliana
Try their prawn specials such as Chingri Poshto {prawns cooked in a poppy seed paste}, Mocha Chingri (a combination of prawns and banana flower), Lau Chingri (gourd and shrimp) or even the really rich but so-good Prawn Kobiraji (a breaded prawn cutlet dipped in egg and deep-fried).
Kitchen of Joy
This Indiranagar outpost does simple but really good snacks such as kathi rolls, Singhara (samosa), Egg Devil, Fish Chop and Luchi with mutton kheema or Aloor Dum with a range of cha or tea. Their Bengali thalis (vegetarian, fish, chicken and mutton) are good value for money and don’t miss out on their weekend offerings of Khichudi (khichdi) and Shukto (a medley of vegetables cooked with Bengali five-spice and mustard paste in a white curry). Weekends are reserved for chicken or mutton biryani.