I Loved the Bengali Street Food Festival at Kolkata Callin’

If you think you need to visit the lanes of Kolkata to experience authentic Bengali street food, think again. Tucked away in Andheri East, Mumbai, Kolkata Callin’ brought the vibrant flavors of the city directly to food lovers during their carefully curated Kolkata Street Food Festival.

Owned by Sanjay Mukherjee and his wife, this cozy, book-lined restaurant ditches fusion trends to focus entirely on culinary heritage. To guarantee absolute authenticity, they teamed up with Mr. Subhash Das (affectionately known as Benuda), a legendary figure with over 25 years running one of Kolkata’s most iconic phuchka hubs.

The festival menu was a masterclass in regional street snacks. Huge, perfectly crisp puchkas filled with savory potatoes and tangy water set an unforgettable tone. Next came the traditional ghugni (yellow pea curry), fiery aloo dum, and unique beetroot-based veg chops.

The fish chops, crisp on the outside and incredibly tender within, offered a flawless crunch when paired with sharp mustard sauce. However, for the meat-lovers at the table, the chicken biryani completely stole the spotlight. Every single item tasted distinct, deeply satisfying, and completely true to its roots.

Beyond the exceptional food, Kolkata Callin’ delivers an inspiring story of passion. Sanjay left a 17-year advertising career to pursue cooking, opening this restaurant through painstaking research and family support.

Running right through the festive season, this event delivered the ultimate luxury: experiencing uncompromised, un-fused street delicacies inside a clean, air-conditioned space. For anyone missing the taste of home, it successfully cut out the noise of Mumbai and transported diners straight to the food stalls of Bengal.