In past, West Bengal was ruled by Nawabs. The influence of Nawabs can be seen in West Bengal culture, tradition and food. Bengali cuisines are known for diversity of flavours.
West Bengal food is not only limited to maach (fish) and bhaat, but it is a land of offering various sweets and beverages that are world famous.
Here are the famous foods of West Bengal that you’ll love –
- Aloo Potol Posto – Aloo Potol Posto is the classic Bengali delicacy prepared with potatoes and pointed gourd, in addition to red and green chillies, and coconut puree. It is the most famous food in West Bengal.
- IlishMacherJhol – IlishMacherJhol is a fish curry prepared with Nigella seeds and chilli to make it a perfect dish. It is the most flavoured fish of the West Bengal.
- Shukto – Shukto is a combination of different vegetables like Brinjal, Bitter Gourd, Crunchy Drumsticks, and Borimixed with aromatic spices and flavoured milk to make a thick curry. It is served as the first dish of the meal.
- Sandesh – Sandesh is a traditional Indian sweet dish originated from West Bengal. It consists of paneer, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron. It can be in any shape like round, elephants, or fish. When garnished with almonds, pistachios, or crushed pineapple gives a delectable taste to your lip buds. Sandesh is always served chilled.
- Mutton Biryani – Mutton Biryani is filled with rich aroma of spices and ghee. West Bengal has unique flavour in mutton biryani as the mutton is fried on a Tava.
- AamPoraShorbot – AamPoraShorbot is a drink made of chilled water, burnt raw mangoes, and sugar to get a relief on a summer afternoon. When serve chilled gives more relaxation and refreshment than the colas.
- TangraMacherJhol – Bengalis people love to eat maachi i.e. fish and Bengal is known as land of maach. Tangra fish uses catfish and prepared with freshly ground spices in a thin curry form. It can be prepared in a lot of different varieties. This dish is also good for the stomach.
- Alur Dom – Alur Dom is the Bengali delicacy made of potatoes combined with different spices and herbs. It can be prepared in many different ways. It is served best with Luchi.
- Luchi – Luchi is a Bengali dish prepared from maida dough.Luchi is small in size, fluffy, deep-fried chapattis with a golden glow. Crispy Luchi is a mandatory dish for small celebrations. You can call it a small version of puri.
- Chholar Dal – Chholar Dal is the favourite dal of Bengal made with chana dal as the main ingredient of the dish. It is slightly sweet and spicy intaste with the addition of aromatic spices like bay leaves, coconut bits, and cinnamon. Chholar Dal is served with rice or Luchis.
- Lau Ghonto – Lau Ghonto is the Bengali dish that is good for the stomach. Lau is basically the bottle gourd, cooked with Udad Dal and light spices. It is not so spicy and usually served with rice.
- Mochar Ghonto – Mochar Ghonto is an authentic vegetarian Bengali dish made from banana flower, crushed coconut and potato, cooked with cumin and bay leaves. This is an elegant dish from West Bengal having sweet and spicy flavour.
- Kosha Mangsho – Kosha Mangsho is made with mutton dipped in a thick curry. Its curry is made with spices such as cloves, cinnamon, onion, and garlic.
- Mishti Doi – Mishti Doi is a traditional popular Bengali dessert made from fermented curd usually made from milk of cow, buffalo, or goat. The fermented curd is combined with melted sugar and left to set. Mishti Doi is made in traditional earthenware jars, and always served chilled. Mishti Doi is not only famous in West Bengal, but also found in Orissa, Bihar, and Bangladesh.
- Patishapta – Patishapta is one of the most amazing sweet Bengali dishes. It is a Bengali style pancake where the pancake is stuffed with Kheer or Khoya. It can be stuffed with grated coconut also.
All these are the most amazing and famous delicacies of West Bengal. Except for all these, Rosgullas, Chomchom, and Rasamalai are also a highly famous sweet dish of West Bengal. So, try these Bengali foods whenever you visit Bengal.
