By Pamela Nandi | Apr 11, 2023

The holy month of Ramzan is always synonymous with food in the form of Iftar graced with a host of eclectic delectables and nutritional values. And then the much-awaited Eid al-Fitr (“Festival of Breaking the Fast”), marks the conclusion of Ramadan when it’s time to rejoice with loved ones and indulge in an array of delicious dishes.

 The occasion when food and togetherness take on special significance to break the-long dawn-to-sunset fasting when Kolkata’s biggest Ramzan market – Zakaria Street comes alive. A paradise for every food enthusiast and photographers’ destination, the place is located around the largest magnificent ‘Nakhoda Masjid’, near Chitpur, which joins Rabindra Sarani with Chittaranjan Avenue (Central Avenue) in Central Kolkata. 

This is my first gastronomic experience exploring the stalls brimming with smells of kebabs, haleem and many more Mughlai cuisines. Let’s take a sneak peek at the MUST-TRY dishes served by the century-old legendary stalls and restaurants.

The religious tradition of serving rich, intensive DATES at the iftar table signifies the commencement of breaking the fast with fibre and antioxidant fruit.

Fruits enriched with fibre and vitamins are essential to break the fast, during Ramadan to increase the feeling of fullness for long hours throughout the day and boost energy especially the hydrating ones like melons, papaya, pineapples etc.

Yoghurt/Lassi is considered one of the staple foods during the holy month. To quench my thirst, I dropped at Taskeen for some yummy Kesari Lassi and Falooda, the Persian drink dessert that travelled to India a long time ago.

The traditional Ramadan special delicacy served as an evening meal daily, post iftar, as it provides instant energy and is high in calories is the royal Haleem, with its root originating from an Arabic dish and travelled all its way to Hyderabad by the Chaush people during the Nizams. The mushy stew graced with meat, lentils and pounded wheat comes with amazing flavour leaving the aroma of ghee and the slightly tangy taste of the lemon. MUST TRY the Beef Haleem from Sufiya, just next to Nakhoda Mosque – the home for the best Mughlai dishes especially the beef items at reasonable rates.

No iftar meal is complete without the well-seasoned fritters/pakoras – crispy and spicy bite-sized snacks and is loved by the whole nation, during the Islamic month. The filling of the fritters especially the green chillies is tantalizing whether it’s vegetable or meat. There is a history behind eating fritters as they can resist the cravings post long hours of fasting, are easy to make with few ingredients and are low prices.

Last, but not least, the snack relished during the fasting is none other than Dahi Vada, fritters made from urad daal and topped with sweet creamy yoghurt.

One of the most popular snacks available in the Chunamgalli or Phear’s Lane is the Beef Samosa. The flavourful filling of seasoned ground beef, potatoes and peas wrapped in puff pastry brings deliciousness to every bite.

What more could one ask for this Ramadan season? Gastronome’s next destination is to try the luscious kebabs for a fuss-free iftar. In a few words, all the kababs are heavenly and delicious due to their supreme meat quality and balanced fresh spices.

My first stop was Adam’s Kebab Shop, located at the entrance of Phears Lane, Colootola Street. Probably the most famous kebabs around Zakaria Street which is being served for 100 years. MUST TRY their famed Beef Sutli/Suta Kabab – small pieces of meat with secret spices tied with thread on the sheekh that is a melt-in-mouth experience. The most delicious Sutli Kebab in the city grilled on iron skewers.

Your food trail will remain incomplete without visiting Dilli 6, the joint that serves authentic delicious Old Delhi-style street food. Their classic kebabs from the Mughal era especially the Chicken Afghani Kebab is truly crazy and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED due to their beautiful flavour, succulent chicken chunks evenly coated with the rich grilled marinade and silky texture. The best part is the flavour sipped well inside the meat which makes the below 2 dishes more delicious.

Check out the menu at Al Baik Fast Food Corner located at Phears Lane, a few meters away if you enter from Kolutolla Street. Their Afghani Seekh will bring surprise to the buds. The soft, smooth silky minced meat retained its full flavour smothered with spices. Just extraordinary. Served with green chutney and onion salad.

Just adjacent to Nakhoda Masjid, is the most popular joint – Bombay Hotel, which is well-known for its Beef Chaap and Beef Kathi Rolls.

Pair the gravy items or kebabs with the saffron and cardamom flavoured freshly baked traditional sweet flat-bread and further softened in milk i.e. Sheermal, Perisian origin available on the street side stalls.

Desserts to remember during Ramadan –

A newfound love for sweets during Ramadan started from Halwa, Seviyan to Jalebis.

This 110 year old shop Haji Allauddin located at Phears Lane serves the best Halwas. To satiate the sweet tooth, the exotic Battisi Halwa with a remarkable taste is a MUST TRY and is made of Pure Ghee and 32 ingredients which includes Mawa, Dry Fruits and served only during Ramadan. Graced with the crisp makhanas and the shredded thin coconut strips makes it a divine one.

The fine vermicelli – sevaiya stalls flanked on both sides of the street go into the making of Sheer Khurma, a dessert that breaks the fast on Eid.

Happy Eating !!!