West Bengal cuisine is the only one in the Indian subcontinent that has a proper multi-course structure.It is the finest blends of non vegetarian and vegetarian dishes. The essence of cooking a Bengali meal is delicately balanced between the main ingredients and its seasonings.The rule of Nawabs has deeply influenced Bengali food which is a combination of subtle and fiery flavours.
West Bengal is popularly known as the land of Maach, which means fish and Bhaat means rice.
Top 6 dishes every foodie must eat in West Bengal
Here are the top 6 foods that you just cannot miss while exploring West Bengal:
1. Luchi-Alur Dom
The dish has Luchi that is similar to puris and is eaten with alur dum or aloo dom, that is a spicier and more tangy version of the dum aloo.
2. Keemar Doi Bora
Lovers of non-vegetarian food and dahi bada will go gaga over this perfect marriage of minced meat and sweet and spicy curd. This is one of the less popular street foods of Bengal.
3. Kathi Rolls
Thin rotis wrapped around skewer-roasted succulent meat kebabs make for a beautiful dish that Bengalis take a lot of pride in. It will bombard you with flavors so subtle yet at the same time profoundly gripping.
4. Jhal Muri
We can call it the Bengali version of the bhel. It’s made from rice flakes (muri) tossed with spicy chutney and mustard oil, along with roasted lentils and coconut chunks.
5. Daab Chingri
It is a spicy and luscious lobster curry cooked and served inside a green coconut shell. To make this unique curry, spices are mixed with coconut water paste which gives it a unique flavour.
6. Shorshe Ilish or Ilish Maach
Ilish Maach or Shorshe Ilish or Ilish Bhapa is a delicious fish preparation made from deep-fried Hilsa fish. It’s a classic Bengali fish curry and is served a side-dish with rice or Khichudi. It’s made in both dried and curried forms.
CONCLUSION
There is much to explore in West Bengal, when it comes to food. From Mughlai foods to street foods and an elaborate spread of sweets and confectioneries, as well as the cuisine of the flourishing Anglo-Indian community in Kolkata, Bengali food is culturally vibrant and just simply delightful.
Bengali sweets need no introduction. They can make the most ‘not-a-sweet-person’ also drool and want to take just a bite of the rich sweets. So, don’t miss to try out these too!!
