There’s a decent chance that you love Bengali cuisine without even realizing it as pretty much all of the Indian food in the UK, as well of much of the USA is made by Bengalis.
Now when I say Bengalis for the most part I am talking about people from Bangladesh, but there is also a continuum with West Bengal of India, as well as crossover with Sikkim, Nepal and much of the north east of India.
So, what gives with Bengali cuisine?
Table of Contents
What is Bengali Cuisine?
Bengali cuisine is river food, rice food and mustard food. It is built around freshwater fish, slow cooked curries, fermented flavors and sharp spices rather than the heavy cream based stuff people associate with “Indian” food abroad. Expect loads of rice, lentils, green chillies, mustard oil and dried fish.
It balances sweet, sour, salty and spicy in the same meal, something Bengalis do better than almost anyone else in South Asia. Meals are structured in courses, starting light with vegetables and ending heavy with meat or fish. It is humble food made with confidence, designed to fill workers not impress tourists.
Click for my take on the worst hotel in West Bengal.
Must Try Bengali Dishes
If you want to understand Bengal properly you eat like a local. None of this butter chicken nonsense. Here’s where to start.
Oh and for bonus round, check out Momo.
7. Aloo Posto
Potatoes cooked in ground poppy seed paste with green chilli and mustard oil. Sounds boring. Isn’t. Creamy, nutty and addictive, especially with hot rice.
6. Shorshe Ilish
Hilsa fish steamed or curried in mustard. This is peak Bengal. Strong smell, strong taste and totally unapologetic. If you only eat one Bengali fish dish make it this.
5. Chingri Malai Curry
Big river prawns in coconut milk gravy. Rich, slightly sweet and usually served at weddings or special occasions. Fancy by Bengali standards.
4. Luchi and Cholar Dal
Deep fried flatbread with spiced Bengal gram dal. Classic breakfast or light lunch combo and dangerously easy to overeat.
3. Kosha Mangsho
Slow cooked goat curry that sticks to the bone. Thick gravy, heavy spice and zero shortcuts. This is hangover food, heartbreak food and celebration food all rolled into one.
2. Mishti Doi
Sweet fermented yogurt served cold. Every meal should end with this. If it doesn’t, you’re doing Bengal wrong.
1. Bhuna Khichuri
Rice and lentils cooked together with vegetables and sometimes meat. Usually eaten during monsoon rains. Simple comfort food that somehow always hits harder than it should.
Bengali Drinking Culture
Bengalis drink quietly. This is not Punjab. No loud toasts or shot culture. Alcohol is traditionally frowned upon, especially in conservative families, but that never stopped anyone.
In West Bengal beer and whisky are common, while in Bangladesh most drinking happens behind closed doors thanks to laws and social pressure. Older guys sip rum or Old Monk in tea cups, younger crowds hit rooftop bars when they can. Home drinking is huge, usually paired with fried snacks or fish fry. It is low key, low drama and mostly about conversation rather than getting smashed.
5 Must Try Bengali Drinks
5. Masala Cha
Spiced tea everywhere. Strong, sweet and served in tiny cups that guarantee repeat orders.
4. Borhani
Spiced yogurt drink popular in Bangladesh, especially with biryani. Tangy, refreshing and oddly addictive.
3. Gondhoraj Lebu Sharbat
Lime juice made from Bengal’s insanely fragrant citrus. Sharp, fresh and perfect in hot weather.
2. Bangla Beer
Local lagers in Kolkata or craft knock offs in Dhaka. Nothing special but cold beer is cold beer.
1. Old Monk Rum
Not Bengali by origin but adopted nationwide. Mixed badly with cola or drunk straight in back alleys. The unofficial spirit of eastern India.
In summary
If you like Indian food, then by default you love Bengali food…
Click to check my tours with YPT, which include India.