Backpacking India 23/129: Eating Indian Curry Rice with Hands on the Street, Kolkata Street Food

Backpacking India 23/129: Eating Indian Curry Rice with Hands on the Street, Kolkata Street Food

Speaking of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal with a dense population and rich Indian history, I, mr.hotsia, must say that besides the city's ancient architecture and culture, the clearest reflection of real life in Kolkata is street food here.

I arrived in Kolkata around 1 PM after traveling and resting ata hotel in KolkataI recommend taking an Uber taxi because the prices are really steep. Exploring the markets and street food immediately became my main mission.

Most street food stalls here open late, starting from 11 AM onwards and close very late, some even until midnight. I headed to the morning market area of Kolkata that I mentioned inKolkata Morning Marketwhich is full of life and vibrant local people who amazingly preserve traditional ways.

I walked past rows of street stalls, the aroma of spices and curry hitting my nose, making my hunger grow after a long day. The first stop I chose was a small roadside curry rice stall, not fancy but packed with people. I saw everyone eating with their bare hands like true locals. This is the charm of street eating in Kolkata.

The dish I ordered was hot steamed rice topped with rich meat curry and vegetable curry with intense spices, perfectly balanced with bold but smooth flavors. Eating with my hands made me feel more connected to the food. Every bite carried stories through the touch of my hands and the unique aroma of Indian spices. I really didn’t want to stop eating.

In Kolkata, street eating is not just about food but a fascinating cultural experience. I have written about Kolkata’s food scene in the articleFood in KolkataMost stalls open around 1 PM, and people usually eat with their hands mixing rice and curry casually. I saw children, adults, and workers all coming to street food stalls continuously.

Besides curry rice, I also tried roti served with rich curry sauce from a street stall I mentioned inRoti Dipped in Curry, a Street Stall in Kolkatawhich is another must-try dish. The roti is crispy outside and soft inside, combined with hot curry that has the unique mellow flavor of Bengal.

While strolling through the morning market, I saw people carrying goods on their heads like in ancient cities seen in documentaries. The lifestyle of locals here has been passed down for many generations. I enjoy experiencing these realities; it’s completely different from the big city images we see in news or movies.

If anyone wants to truly experience the real way of life in Kolkata, I recommend walking through the morning market and eating curry rice on the street at least once. This city is not only ancient with a long history but also full of life through the daily eating and living of its people.

For those interested in a full travel story of Kolkata, you can read the articleBackpacking Kolkatawhere I, mr.hotsia, have compiled travel experiences and useful tips including accommodation, transportation, and other interesting places to make your trip to India more enjoyable and convenient.

And if you want to see the real atmosphere of eating curry rice on the street in Kolkata, don’t forget to watch the videoBackpacking India 23/129: Eating Indian Curry Rice with Hands on the Street, Kolkata Street Foodwhich I filmed myself. I guarantee you will feel like you are eating with me in person.

Kolkata is not only a city with a long history and beautiful architecture but also full of stories about its people and culture, especially street food that I, mr.hotsia, want everyone to experience at least once. You will realize how charming and joyful it is to eat with bare hands on the streets of India.