Phuchka

Long time ago in the kingdom of Maghadh the last King of the Rastrapala dynasty had a dream - a dream of a wonderful snack that nobody had ever heard of. It was this small fried crispy hollow balls which was filled with tamarind chutney, chilli, char masala, mashed potato, onion and chickpeas. The water which you dunk this snack , the tamarind water aka Tetul Jol was made by mixing tamrind and other spices. The King decided to call it Phulkiri and in today's street food world it is called by various names - Phuchka, Gol Gappa, Pani Puti, Pani ki Batashe ... what's in a name right? So from here on we will refer to it as Phuchka!

         

Okay, the discovery story of Phuchka, may have been a fragment of my imagination, but Wikipedia says it was first eaten in ancient kingdom of Maghadh.. and if Wikipedia says so, it must be true. Truely though, this is considered the king of street food... Now you see it being served in fancy plates and bowls in restaurants, but the most authentic way of having Puchkas it from the vendors on the busy street, using your hand, in a bowl made of shal leaves.  

                                        

 






Where can you find some of the best Phuchkas in Kolkata? Here is a list :

1. The puchka at B.K.Paul avenue - Rabindra Sarani crossing

2. At Rammandir, the vendor that sits clos  Muktaram Babu Street - Central Avenue crossing.

3. Puchka stall next to the circular crossing at Tower No. 4 in Salt Lake.

4. Puchka stall in Ultadanga crossing, close to PC Chandra Jewellers.

5. Puchka Stall near Lake Kali bari in South Kolkata

6. Puhcka stall at Russel street, and Camac street opposite Vardan market.

7. Vivekananda Park

8. Jadavpur University Gate 4

9. Victoria Memorial