Unveiling the Famous Food of West Bengal

West Bengal, a land steeped in rich history and vibrant culture, boasts a culinary scene that is equally captivating. From the delicate sweetness of its desserts to the robust flavours of its curries, West Bengal food is a symphony of taste waiting to be explored.

The West Bengal famous food list is extensive, but a few must-tries include-

Let’s embark on a delicious journey to discover the famous food of West Bengal, a delightful blend of local ingredients, unique cooking techniques, and generations-old recipes.

1. Chingri Malaikari

Chingri Malaikari is a traditional Bengali non-veg curry made with large tiger prawns or giant freshwater prawns, marinated in spices and cooked in a creamy coconut milk sauce with onions.

This authentic West Bengal delicacy, served with hot rice and ghee, is celebrated for its exquisite taste and is a staple at Bengali celebrations and events. Variations include Machar Malaikari and Lobster Malaikari.

West Bengal Famous Food

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2. Bhapa Ilish/ Bhapa hilsa: The Heart of West Bengal’s Cuisine

Illish Bhapa, or Steamed Hilsa, is a famous mustard gravy fish dish in West Bengal, where Hilsa is celebrated as the “Queen of Fish.”

This tasty dish is made by marinating Hilsa in mustard, coconut, and yoghurt, and then steaming it. Known for its distinctive mustard flavour, it’s traditionally paired with rice, highlighting the region’s love for fish. Illish Bhapa is a prized non-vegetarian delight in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

3. Keemar Doi Bora

Keemar Doi Bora, unique to West Bengal, is a non-vegetarian twist on Dahi Bada, originating from Rabindranath Tagore’s kitchen. Documented by Purnima Thakur, a Tagore family member, this dish combines minced meatballs in sweet yoghurt, spiced and served as a side dish, offering a novel flavour for non-veg enthusiasts.

4. Kathi Rolls

Kathi rolls, originating from West Bengal, are a popular street food. “Kathi” means stick, referring to the skewer-roasted kebabs wrapped in paratha. Delicious and filling, they cater to both non-vegetarians and vegetarians with a paneer option. These rolls are best enjoyed hot and fresh, offering a tasty, convenient meal.

Find More Famous Kebab of India – Famous food of Uttar Pradesh

5. Daab Chingri

Daab Chingri is an amazing dish of West Bengal. It is a prawn curry dish with tender coconut. Daab means tender coconut & chingri refers to prawns. Prawns are cooked inside the coconut shell with mustard oil, coconut & poppy seed gravy.

This dish is trendy in Bengal & Bangladesh. This famous food of West Bengal is an authentic food of the state.

6. Kosha Mangsho

Kosha Mangho is a mutton dish in Bengali style. Kosha meaning in Hindi is Bhuna. Bhuna means slowly cooking a dish over a low flame for a long time. It is also known as the “Bengali mutton curry “recipe.

Pieces of mutton are marinated. Later on, it is cooked in spicy tomato & yoghurt on low flame. Low-flame cooking makes this dish rich, dark brown velvety gravy. This recipe is can be made with chicken also.

7. Bhetki Macher Paturi

Bhetki Macher paturi is fish dish. If you want to relish the authentic fish dish of Bengal, you should try this. Generally, Barramundi fish is used to cook this dish. Also known as Bhetki. Pieces of Bhetki are marinated in mustard pasted and wrapped in banana leaf.

The word paturi means leaf in Bengali. llish, chingri is also used for this dish. This delicious food of West Bengal is quite Popular in every housed hold.

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8. Tangra Macher Jhol

Tangra is a freshwater river, fish. It is a catfish. Extremely popular & delicious fish curry dish in the state. Fish cook in Mustard oil with vegetables and other spices. Any vegetables of your choice can be added.

9. Began Bhaja/ Baigan Bhaja

Began Bhaja, or Baigan Bhaja, is a tasty Bengali vegetarian dish featuring sliced and batter-dipped fried eggplant.

It’s often served alongside Bengali Khichdi as a side dish. Variants might use different vegetables, like potatoes or okra. This fried eggplant is a celebrated vegetarian option in West Bengal.

10. Lau Ghonto

This summer specialty from West Bengal features Bottle Gourd as its star, cooked in its juice with peas and badi (dried lentil dumplings made from Urad dal and winter melon, sun-dried for 4-6 days).

It’s a simple dish, enhanced with tomatoes and spices. Badi, a popular stored food in West Bengal, is prepared in winter and often eaten during the rainy season.

11. Luchi-Alur Dom

Luchi & alur dom is a Popular breakfast from West Bengal Cuisine. This delicious dish is famous street food. Luchi is a Puri made with Maida. It is less fried compared to Puri. The colour of Puri is Brown & Luchi is generally white.

Alur Dum is Aloo dum is an aloo dish with gravy in Bengali style. You can find it a bit spicy & Tangy. Food is served hot.

12. Jhal Muri

Jhal Muri is Bengali Bhel. Muri is a Rice flake. Rice flakes are tossed with spicy chutney, Mustard oil, coconut chunks & Roasted lentils. This is another popular street food from West Bengal. Extremely delicious & Mouthwatering snacks.

13. Shukto

Shukto or shuktoni is a must-try dish from West Bengal. It is mixed veg food. Very popular during Durga pooja, family functions & any Get-Together. All age groups love this delicious dish.

Shukto is prepared with mixed vegetables like a bitter guard, eggplant, potato, drumsticks, white radish, etc. with “Bangali Panch Phoron “spices. It has a thick, creamy, milk gravy that compliments the bitterness of the gourd.

14. Aam Pora Shorbot

Aam Pora Shorbot is a Bengali Beverage widely used during Summer. It is a cooling beverage. This is prepared with chilled water, Burn raw mangoes, and Sugar. During hot summer, burnt mangoes are peeled off. Burnt mangoes give a smokey flavor. It is a Healthy mango drink to refresh yourself

15. Chholar Dal

A lentil-based dish from Bengal. This Bengali dish is prepared with chana dal as the main ingredient. Chana dal is cooked with spices like bay leaf, coconut bits & Cinnamon, etc.

16. Sandesh: Mishti Magic of West Bengal

Delicious famous Sweet dish from West Bengal. This is very popular in the country. Sandesh is very important during all the festivals & Special occasions. The dish is prepared with Sugar, Chena (paneer), and cardamon powder.

17. Mishti Doi

Another sweet dish of West Bengal. Misti Doi is a Sweetened Yogurt. It is eaten as supper food or as a sweet dish.

18. Patishapta

Patishapta is a distinct Bengali sweet dish. Very Popular During the Rice Harvest Festival “Poush Sankranti”.Poush Sankranti is also known as Makar Sankranti in the other part of the Country. It is kind of Pithe. A crêpe of Rice is filled with a special mixture Prepared with Milk, Coconut, Date, jaggery, etc.

19.Sarbhaja / Shor Bhaja

Shorbhaja / Sarbhaja is another name in the list of sweet dishes from West Bengal. It is made with flour & Sugar Syrup. Krishna Nagar is known as the birthplace of this dish.

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20. Langcha / Lyangcha

A popular dish from Bengal & a neighbouring state. This is prepared with flour & Milk with Sugar Syrup. “Shaktigarh” is very famous for this sweet dish. It is one of the most Popular mouth-watering dishes in Bengal. You can find it in sizes 3″ long to 10″ long.

In summary, West Bengal is a haven for food enthusiasts, boasting a wide array of mouth-watering dishes. From the globally beloved Rosogolla to the spicy Jhal Muri, there’s something for all tastes. Don’t miss out on exploring its unique flavours on your next visit.

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Reference

  1. Bengali Cuisine
  2. Kolkata Food
  3. Bong food
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