Experience a sliver of Chinatown in Kolkata
From fresh wontons and pak choi to a magnificent Chinese Kali Temple, this town has a fascinating story to tell
The genesis of Chinatown in Tangra, Kolkata, goes all the way back to the fifth century. With a dying trail in almost all major metropolitan cities in India, the one that we're going to talk about in this story is the extended liaison of the foreign habilitation within the circumference of our very own City of Joy—Kolkata. Initially having established its roots in Central Kolkata we continue to go gaga over the legendary Tiretti Bazar that offers a plethora of authentic Chinese breakfasts, while a part of the habitants have shifted and flourished in another end, commonly known as Tangra. Home to (now) Indo-Chinese residents with a Chinese Kali Mandir that offers chowmein to their deity, bylanes that revel in a unique cross-border culture, authentic Chinese sauce factories, fancy hotels to street side joints that for a second will divert you from the otherwise dripping-in-yesteryear-charm city, we walk you through the places you'll not just fancy but fall in love with once you find yourself here!
Read on to know more!
Kim Fa
A standard place to head to in Tangra, just after the Chinese Kali temple, this is a no-complications, no-fuss eatery. Only straightforward Indo-Chinese food (we adore the chilli prawns and the chilli chicken especially). You'll also get fresh, light pak choi and Asian greens (yay for Chinese mushrooms!) which vegetarians can indulge in. You can also pre-order their heavenly brown chow (a caramelised sweet noodles) and their garlic noodles which are both made from scratch and with authenticity.
Address: 41, Matheswartala Road, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal (700046)
Kafulok
Another hub for lovers of Indo-Chinese cuisine, Kafulok is an ace when it comes to spicy food packed with flavour and fun. Their fried wontons are honestly some of the crunchiest and meatiest in town. Frequented by many families, this restaurant is a must-visit for those special family-dinner nights.
Address: Chinese Kali Mandir, 47, New Tangra Road, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal (700046)
Golden Joy
Another standard place to visit in Tangra, the ever-expanding Golden Joy stays packed during the festive seasons. You can sit wherever you feel comfortable—there's a family room, men's only section and even a private dining area. Golden Joy is known for its thick Thai soup, giant plates of hakka chow and their varied preparations of seafood.
Address: 50, Matheswartala Road, Topsia, Kolkata, West Bengal (700046)
Beijing
Beijing has some amazing dishes based on Ms. Liu's (famously known as the Queen of Tangra) secret recipes, like Thai chicken, fried meatballs and Peking chicken with hoisin sauce. Whatever you do, don't miss out on the special duck roast, it's beyond heavenly. From spring button mushrooms, chicken dumplings and Cantonese chicken to Peking phoenix emperor prawns, schezwan duck, chicken in black bean sauce and chilli crab claws, Beijing will definitely have you coming back for more.
Address: 105, Opposite Golden Empire, Topsia N Road, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal (700046)
Kim Ling
Kim Ling offers a wide selection of vegetarian, egg, chicken and fish dishes as well as crab varieties like crab claws, crab meat in a preferred choice of sauce and crab meat with button mushrooms. Do not miss out on the steamed whole chicken or fish. With a variety of dishes from lemon chicken, chilli prawns and hot garlic mushrooms to Kim Ling special rice noodles, garlic yam mein and Cantonese options, Kim Ling offers such a great variety that one visit simply won't be enough to try all that they offer.
Address: Iswar Mandal Lane, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal (700046)
Now that you've gotten a glimpse of Tangra's food scenario, have you picked a restaurant to visit yet?