Every Calcuttan out of their city is like a fish out of the water. You see, Calcutta has some of the nicest people, best tea, amazing food and a concept of mid-day naps. So when you have all of it taken away at one go, rest assure you’ll hear a lot of nostalgic flashbacks and whining. The worst blow is the one to our diets. Ask anyone who’s been there… Calcutta has the best food in terms of street food, Continental, North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, traditional Bengali, etc etc. So when such a fish reaches a city like Mumbai, there is trouble in paradise. Not only is the food so-so, but its also so expensive! Apart from the staple vadapao, Kyani and few of its likes, even a humble meal costs nothing less than Rs 150.
I know, I know…that does not sound like much. But you will now realize that it is, when you see its true worth. So here is a small guide as to how you can hog the entire day in Calcutta (which is so much more than just surviving) for just Rs 150!
Breakfast at Maharani
Located in Southern Avenue, Maharani is one of Calcutta’s gems. Every morning you can see a line up of cars and bikes with people waiting for their morning tea and breakfast. Middle aged uncles drive down from the nearby parks after their morning walk, only to indulge in mouthwatering samosas and kachori-sabzi. So have your heart’s content of food, and wash it down with kadak chai served in clay pots (that makes the tea taste so much better).
Price- Four Kachoris with Sabzi– Rs 28 ; Tea- Rs 7
Money left- Rs 115
Lunch at Kusum
Serving the best kathi rolls Calcutta is famous for, and my personal favorite, Kusum situated in Park Street is a must try. They have a variety of rolls (please do not picture Mumbai’s ‘frankies’) on their menu. From the basic egg or chicken roll, to mutton rolls and vegetarian varieties of paneer and aloo rolls, all of it is a foodie’s delight. I’m drooling all over my computer, I swear. I would recommend the egg chicken which is a monster of a roll. Finishing a roll in a go is a point of pride for many.
So have get a roll and walk around on Park Street, taking in the best of the city. If you have a sweet tooth, you can also stroll down to Balaram Mullick near the Park Street Post office for a traditional Rasgulla!
Price- Egg Chicken Roll- Rs 45; Rasgulla– Rs 10
Money left- Rs 60
Dinner means Biryani!!… Or you can also have Chinese.
Ah. So many options. Calcutta biryani is famous for it’s unique flavor and the treasured aloo. While there are many famous joints such as Arsalan and Zeeshan that are famous for their mughlai, you can get the same amount of yummy at a lower price at one of the local stalls. Yes, there are biryani stalls through out the city where people serve the delicacy out of a huge-ass handi . Some of these places are, Haji Biryani in New Alipore, or Classic Fast Food Center in Hazra. The latter is a personal favorite as they cook only with sunflower oil, delivering the same amount of oomph in our beloved biryani without the guilt of consuming Dalda.
If you’re not a biryani fan (which is hard to believe), you can depend on the unlimited number of Chinese joints sprawled all over the city. Denzong Kitchen, available in three locations, is one of those eateries that gives you an authentic Chinese experience for money worth peanuts. You can either have their famous pan fried chicken momos (served in Schezwan sauce) or a plate of chicken Hakka Noodles. Either way, you’ll have a happy tummy by the end of the night!
Price- Biryani– Rs 60/ Pan Fried Momos- Rs 60/ Chicken Hakka Noodles- Rs 60
Well there! You’ve used up all your money in exchange for three amazing meals I’d kill for. So have i convinced you yet about how awesome Calcutta is, or what?
food and procrastination 
I think I need to visit Cal soon
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I totally relate to your blog! Love trying the street food every time I visit Kolkata and kathi rolls at Kususm is my all time favorite!!
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I’m so glad 🙂
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