Camac Street, which apparently has been renamed Abanindranath Tagore Sarani, is a low-key (and pleasantly calm compared to other Kolkata streets) commercial street in the heart of Kolkata.
Businesses, stores of many kinds, cafe’s, and residential condos all flourish along Camac Street.
And there’s one other thing, Kolkata street food, which happens to be widely represented and quite famous along the street.
With many businesses, Camac Street is especially well known for its lunch time stalls; So one day, I went on a food adventure at about 11:30 am in search of something tasty for lunch.
Passing plenty of tea stalls and fresh roti vendors, I finally decided on a curry stall that was receiving plenty of business.
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With no seating space or any sort of seating, most of the customers (mainly males), were standing around the eatery while quickly downing delicious looking plates of rice topped with a variety of Indian dishes.
Having no idea what to order, I just asked for rice, fish curry, and a few vegetable sides.
The vendor quickly dished up my lunch, and as he handed it to me, I handed him back 30 Rupees ($0.55); I must say, even coming from Bangkok where there are plenty of $1 Thai dishes, Kolkata street food is still remarkably cheap.
Just like all the other hungry eaters, I found a little standing area on the sidewalk next to an electricity pole and began to dig in, fingers first.
Rice, fish curry, some kind of mixed vegetables, a from of aloo gobi made with spiced cauliflower, and a garnish of red onions and carrots was my meal; Indian food but Bengali flavors.
It came piled on one of the most flimsy styrofoam plates I’ve ever held, a plate where it was mandatory to hold it from the bottom instead of the edges for fear the plate might capsize.
If eating is on your list of top things to do in Kolkata, like it was for me, you’ll want to go on an eating rampage at both Camac Street and James Hickey Sarani when in Kolkata.
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Rana
9 years ago
The plate you eat in Camac street is a regular Bengali meal contain rice, ruhi fish curry, yes you r right alu (potato) fulcopi (in Bengali, colly flower in English, Gobi in Hindi) curry, another curry is patol (I don’t know what it call in English) alu, and salad of onion and carrot. Next time when you come in Kolkata please visit Fairly place near to Ganges, its also a famous place of street food, mainly street meal only open in lunch time. and thanks to visit my city. I read almost all your blog and honestly saying you explain the beauty of this city very well. Come soon again.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Rana, thank you very much for your kind comment and the extra tips. Next time I’m in Kolkata will definitely be going to Farily place. Are you from Kolkata?
Soutik
10 years ago
From looks, it seems like Rohu fish (Labeo Rohita)… Yummy… These stalls are bustling with customers during the lunch hour and I cna vouch, they make some real good dish dirt cheap.
Earlier they used to provide lunch in stainless steel plates, but I guess due to increase in demands and to reduce cost/effort in cleaning up, they have moved ahead and got the foam plates.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Soutik, glad to hear you’ve eaten here too, thanks for the name of the dish. Too bad they’ve gotten away from the metal dishes, I really like those!
Frugal Monkey
10 years ago
That looks delicious! We’ve featured your blog and referenced this post in our recent web wrap: http://www.frugalmonkey.com/travel-news/web-wrap-9-may-2013.html
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey, thank you so much for featuring me, I really appreciate it!