By Pamela Nandi | May 02, 2018

I would not describe this walk as a memory trail, for me its first time to explore the heritage outlets which has lost its essence over the time in the narrow lanes of Food Capital City – North Kolkata, but offers a diverse range of lip-smacking street food starting from savouries like fast food, snacks to sweets, sarbat etc.

Our agenda was to cultivate the history of the street foods that were left behind but tastes incredible by taking a stroll down the sidewalk in the areas – Shyambazar and Hatibagan.

And yes, we Kolkatans always go by the phrase ‘Meet and Eat’ and FOOD being one such vital connect to greet and share with people.

Here is an outline of the HERITAGE JOINTS covered –

An old joint located at five point crossing that serves best fresh juices in the area. SPECIALITIES – Fresh Fruit Juice Lassi Thick creamy Mango Shake served with dry fruits – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The second oldest outlet situated near 5point crossing beside metro station (GATE 1) – a small cafe that serves fried snacks. SPECIALITIES – Diamond Fish Fry Afghani Chicken – Chicken Kabiraji enveloped with thick spicy gravy of Indian spices and dry fruits served with roti, boiled potatoes, salad. Brain Chop – Goat Brain surrounded by spicy delicious filling de, battered, deep fried and served. The founder Shri Sushil Roy in the year 1920 derived the name” MITRA” signifying ” all customers as their ‘FRIENDS’.   Diamond Fish Fry, Afghani Chicken, Brain Chop – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Gem of Shyambazar. A heritage restaurant famous for its Kosha Mangsho (Mutton Kasha). Finger licking, hot, spicy, black gravy with oil floating on the top, hard to trace the mutton pieces. But still, absolutely mouth-watering dish served with soft parathas (parota). SPECIALITIES – Mutton and Chicken Kosha Mutton and Chicken Keema Curry Kasha Mangsho – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Roadside stall on the five-point crossing. The soup tasted pathetic and hardly any chicken fillings inside the momo. Chicken steamed momo served with clear chicken soup  – NOT RECOMMENDED

Oldest Outlet and best traditional sweet shop in North Kolkata. Sweets were simply a delight. SPECIALITIES – Radhaballavi Ghee Mihidana Kesar RosoMalai Kheer Singara Ghee Mihidana, Raso Malai – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The noted MISTI DOI SHOP in Kolkata,  probably the best so far i have tried. Thick creamy with the nice texture, tasted ‘just heaven’. SPECIALITIES – Misti Doi Cow Ghee Sweet Curd (Bengali Laal Misti Doi) – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

An old fast food centre located beside Manindra Chandra Girl’s college. SPECIALITIES – Pantherus –  spicy minced mutton, on a bed of bekti fish, dipped in whipped egg, rolled in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Mutton Pantheras – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This 100 years old sweet shop opposite Sottish Church School place has been serving delicious chop n televajas ( veggies bartered in bason mixed with Indian Spices) and deep fried. – that Bengalis die for. The shop was opened by Khedu Shaw, in 1918 also known as ‘Netajir Chop er Dokan’, and the speciality is that this age-old shop used to be frequented by our patriot – The Great Subhash Chandra Bose. The outlet serves 3 chops free of cost to all the food lovers on 23-Jan. SPECIALITIES – Televaja or Chop Minced coconut chop, paneer chop, aam chop – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Cheers !!!