বাংলায় পড়ুন
There’s a famous saying that goes as “Maache bhaat e khaddoroshik bangali” which roughly translates to “a food loving Bengali is made of fish and rice”. Indeed, any Bengali household would solemnly swear by their staple maccher jhol bhaat (fish curry with rice). As Bengal is a riverine state, the obvious gastronomic essential in a Bengalis kitchen is fish. One may even say that Fish for Bengalis is about identity, history and nostalgia. It is said that a litmus test for a Bengali is when they take a mouthful of fish and sort out the bones without showing any signs of discomfort.
Few fishes Bengalis cannot live without are:
1. Iilish (ঈলিশ): Post partition of Bengal, nostalgia became intertwined with gastronomy. For people who came to West Bengal after giving up their homes which became part of a different country known as Bangladesh; the fish reminded them of their meals with families. Maybe that is why Khichuri (homogeneous mixture of rice and lentil) and Ilish maach bhaja (fried Hilsa fish in smoky mustard oil) is a must have during the monsoons in West Bengal; surely bringing back soulful memories of monsoons, friends, extended families and former homes left behind.
2. Telapia (তেলাপিয়া): This is a freshwater fish mainly found in shallow streams, rivers and ponds and also commonly found living in brackish water of India. Tilapia is also among the most consumed fish in the world and one of the most important fish in aquaculture after carp and salmon. Telapia Jhal (Pan fried or with yoghurt and spices) teamed with steaming rice does spice up a boring day in Bengal.
3. Tengra (ট্যাংরা): Tengra is a small size catfish mostly found in rivers of Bengal. One of the tasty Bengali preparations is Tengra Maacher Tel Jhol. It is tailor made for a sultry summer day when you want to squeeze some lemon juice over your plate of macher jhol and bhaat and feel instant respite.
4. Rohu (রুই): Popularly known as “Rui” in Bengal, this freshwater fish is widely available in various fish markets across the state. Rohu fish is considered a delicacy by the Bengalis and is one of the most preferred fish for preparing “Machher Kalia.” Rohu is one of Bengal’s favorites due to its sweet taste.
We can safely conclude by saying that in present day Bengal, fish curry teamed with steaming rice indeed brings out the glutton inside us.
Here we go with the food lover’s choice of fish restaurants in Kolkata:
- Fish Fish, Ballygunj
- Kewpies Kitchen, Elgin lane
- Bhojohori Manna
- Oh! Calcutta
- Aaheli, Esplanade
- Kasturi Restaurant, Ballygunj
- 6, Ballygunj Place, Ballygunj
