It’s no secret that India is home to some of the richest and most flavourful food you will try, especially with all the condiments, herbs, and spices they add to their dishes. That said, India is also highly diverse, so different regions in the country also have their local food. One of the most prominent would be Bengal, the land known for its fish (maach) and rice (bhaat).
Beyond fish and rice, Bengali cuisine offers plenty of dishes that strike a good balance between sweet and spicy. Check out some of the top dishes you should include the next time you order your takeaway.
Ilish Macher Paturi
Ilish macher patu is a classic Bengali dish that combines some of the region’s best ingredients —ilish or hilsa fish, banana plant, and mustard. The fish is first marinated in a rich paste of mustard seeds, green chillies, and coconuts seasoned with different spices. It’s then wrapped in banana leaves then steamed until the fish is cooked through.
Kathi Roll
If you’re looking for a snack that can quickly get you filled, make sure you order kathi roll. It’s one of the most popular street foods in Bengal, which is essentially a roasted kebab wrapped in a paratha flatbread. There are several variants available, using different meat options and spices. You’ll even find vegetarian versions made these days since kathi rolls have evolved significantly through the years!
Chotpoti
Another popular street food that you’ll see all over West Bengal is chotpoti, which is extremely healthy due to its ingredients. The dish generally contains chickpeas, potatoes, and tamarind concentrate, but it may also have other components like green chilli peppers, onions, cucumbers, and crackers. Altogether, you’ll get a good mix of spicy and sour.
Muri Ghonto
You can’t talk about Bengali food without mentioning muri ghonto, one of the signature dishes in the region. It’s made with a fish head cooked with rice, potatoes, and sometimes lentils. It’s mixed with a wide range of spices like turmeric, chilli powder, coriander, and cumin to create a rich-flavoured stew that is sure to be a household comfort dish.
Chomchom
Chomchom is a delicious Bengali sweet that you can easily find in South Asia. It’s essentially paneer–Indian cottage cheese made by curdling milk and lemon juice–that’s deep-fried and cooked with sugar syrup. Once cooked, the chomchom is topped with a variety of things like cardamom powder, chopped nuts, or grated coconut.
Beguni
Beguni is one of the simpler Bengali dishes you’ll find, but even so, the flavour is sure to deliver. It is a popular snack made by deep-frying eggplants in a gram flour batter that’s spiced with chilli powder, turmeric, and cumin. There are many ways to enjoy this dish. You can drink it with a cup of chai or dip it in a yoghurt-based sauce.
No doubt, if you haven’t tried Bengali food yet, now is the perfect time to do it. Browse through ChefOnline today to look through the many restaurants offering this delicious cuisine. This platform has helped many stores transition into the online space seamlessly and reaches more customers to grow stably, even amid the pandemic.
