Flavourful festival
During Durga Puja, from roadside stalls to five-star hotels, all are eager to satisfy the cravings of the revellers
Have you ever tried Pulao Mutton Sushi or Chicken Bhel Puri? What about Bhapa Macher Salad or Hakka Style Veg Chilli Garlic Basil Noodle? Durga Puja is not only about captivating themes and ornate pandals, for it is also a celebration of a culinary extravaganza. In essence, can any Bengali Puja truly be considered whole without the grandeur of a Bhuribhoj?
During Puja, from humble roadside stalls to trendy food trucks, iconic clubs, posh five-star hotels, and cozy cafes, every culinary outlet is eager to tantalise the palates of the revellers. The roadside stalls offer favourites like egg rolls, phuchka, greased noodles, momos and hearty ghugni. If you’re in the mood for sandwiches and fries, the food trucks in New Town have you covered. They offer a variety of options, from peri peri French fries and tasty Korean chicken wings.
City hotels are joining in the celebrations with special food offerings. Novotel Kolkata features a Maha Bhoj buffet for lunch and dinner at The Square, as well as kebabs and biryani at MOK. The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat is hosting the Pujor Mahabhoj, a five-day food festival at Seasonal Tastes and Westin Ballroom.
In Kolkata, the food scene is both traditional and refined, said celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani. “People are trying to blend Bengali food into smart formats,” said chef Ratnani, founder of Speak Burgers, who introduced a kosha mangsho burger just before the festivities at Novotel Kolkata.
Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata is offering a Pujo Bari feast at its all-day dining restaurants, Kava, Vertex, and The Mangrove, to celebrate the festival. The iconic Bengal Club offers a rich Bengali buffet menu with a wide range of dishes, including peats kochuri, bhekti roll, mutton keema kaleji, and payesh. The renowned Calcutta Rowing Club also provides an extensive lunch menu during the four days of the Puja. Vegetarians need not worry, as they can enjoy delicious options like chanar cutlet and the aromatic gondhoraj dhokar dalna.
At Taj Bengal, you can relish special thali meals, including vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and seafood options at Sonargaon. For those craving authentic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, Chinoiserie at Taj Bengal is an excellent choice.
Canteen Pub & Grub has a unique fusion menu for Durga Puja. According to Swastik Nag, it’s not just about Bengali cuisine but an exploration of diverse and innovative flavours that represent modern Kolkata.
During Puja, What’sUp! Café has tempting desserts and cocktails for young pandal hoppers. They can enjoy dishes like prawn thermidor, Daab Punch, and Djinn in a Matka. In Kolkata, where food is central to the culture, you’ll not return home hungry during Puja.
