Kolkata"the melting pot of Culture and Cuisine"

 Kolkata"the melting pot of Culture and Cuisine"

 Vision of Kolkata (The city of joy) is incomplete without the mouthwatering "street food stalls". This city with all its "mishti doi","phucka",and "kathi rolls" is no doubt a favourite among Bongs!!...Bengalis are often associated with their love for"Intellect" and "Food",be it "street savours" or "elite resturant stuff".

Taste and experimentation and not the decor is what really matters...Street vendors with their lip smacking delicacies can be easily found at any place in Kolkata. 

  "Its a part of Kolkata's culture to eat out on streets"

Street food that wont burn a "hole in your pocket"

• Jhal muri-is one of the famous Bengali street snacks in Kolkata.Consisting of puffed rice , cut onions, nuts and seasonings, mixed in a metallic container and served in a paper bag 
• Pani puri-is a favourite street food among Indians! Pani puri is a hollow puri , filled with smashed potatoes,and masala after dipping it in Tamarind water.
• Bhel puri- usually looks like "noodles" and mixed with boiled potatoes ,onions and Topping tamarind,...spicy,yummy,delicious...
• Fresh fruits-cheap and usually widely available in and around Kolkata. 
• Momo-the favourite food in Tibet , Nepal is now a favourite "street delicacy"in Kolkata.Stuffed with cabbages or chicken ..no doubt it is delicious.  
• Tea-Apart from spicy , tangy street foods found in and around Kolkata, Tea served in "clay cups" enhances the taste of the beverage.

Lets take a quick,short view at some of the "favourite street food haunts"

• Topping the chart,is my all time favourite "Blossoms" with all its delicacies in "kathi rolls" and "lip smacking tangris".Located near the renowned "Scottish Church College" it is a favourite "place to hang out" among the college goers.!
• Next on the roll,would be the AJC Bose Road,for those who are in mood for some"juicy kathi rolls".Just a short walk to Gorky Sadan,and we are offered a "pick from any" from the various culinary delights offered on platter.Kolkata's gift to the food world,no doubt is the "kathi rolls'.
• Chats and phuckas..undoubtedly scale high on our taste buds.East Metropolitan Bypass is considered one of the best places in Kolkata to try out "phuckas and chaats".
• Now if you want to "tease" your taste-buds with something different..try Chinese!! and head for the "favourite Sudder Street"
• If you want to mix the pleasures of shopping alongwith the lip smacking delicacies try the places around Esplanade in Central Kolkata.

The Sweet Connection

• Mishti doi-or sweet yoghurt,is typically identified with Bengali cuisine,Sweets or desserts occupy a special place in the "Bengali Diet".The confectionery business has flourished recently.
• Rasgulla-a traditional Oriya sweet,is widely consumed in West Bengal.Fish,Rice and Rasgulla are the three most prominent trademark of Bengali culture.
• Pantua-similar to Rasgulla,but deepfried in ghee or oil,before being put into the syrup..slrupp!! slrupp!!
• Pithe-both in Bangladesh and in West Bengal,"pithe" still flourishes.Fried or steamed,there is a wide range of "pithe's" that Bengalis have on offer.

Eating habits of people in Kolkata and of course West Bengal has changed to a great extent.Kolkata street food would tempt you to the "core" and leave "asking for more"...:)

ice gola

Esplanade

Princep Ghat

Durga Puja

Kathi Roll

pakoda

pani puri

pani puri

Vivekananda's Museum

Swami Vivekananda

Sondesh

Sondesh

Streets of Kolkata

Victoria

Chariot

Lets take a glimpse at the "culture of Bengal"

Since time immemorial,the culmination of various cultures in Bengal has led to the growth of the "Unique Bengali Culture".Bengal has always remained a place for tourist attraction. Bengali's are known for their 'intellect and love for literature'.Tagore's international recognition brought a change in the culture of Bengal and gave the Bengali's a wider exposure to hold their heads up in pride.Bengali language thus boasts of a rich literary heritage.As the saying goes"macheyy bhate bangali" meaning "fish and rice make a Bengali" is the traditional Bengali diet.

• Attire-Bengali women commonly wear the sari. However,due to westernized influence,there has been a rapid makeover.
• Festivals-Bengal owns the crown for the worlds"greatest street art show" in the form of Durga Puja. Bengal,having diverse community almost all the festivals are celebrated with equal enthusiasm.However,the most popular among Bengali's is the Durga Puja usually held in the month of October.Durga Puja is the ceremonial worship of Goddess Durga.The rituals continue for four long days and is celebrated with grandeur.

Bengal apart from being "the land of culture and cuisine" is also the place for "folk music" "films" and "literature".Culture of Bengal showcases its richness through these aspects.Various artists like Anjan Dutta,Ritoporno Ghosh,Nachiketa and bands like Cactus are the torchbearers of "Bengali culture" in this genre.Bengal has since the olden days,retained its identity even after embracing "the westernized culture".We have stuck to our "own roots"..

types of "sweets"

rasgulla

dakhineshwar temple