Indian street food
Kolkata street food, explained.
Kolkata’s street food is generous with tamarind, mustard oil and chilli. It is the home of puchka, the kathi roll and Indian Chinese food.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
Famous for
Puchka, rolls
Chinese
Indo-Chinese
Tea
Clay-cup chai
At Tapri Chai
4 of them
01
Puchka
Kolkata’s name for pani puri. The shells are filled with a spiced potato and chickpea mix and dipped in tamarind water.
02
Rolls and jhal muri
The kathi roll, a flatbread wrapped around kebab or egg or paneer filling, started in Kolkata. Jhal muri is a street snack of puffed rice with mustard oil, chilli and onion.
03
Indo-Chinese
Kolkata’s Chinese community shaped the Indian Chinese food now served everywhere. Hakka noodles, chilli chicken and Manchurian are tied to the city’s Chinese restaurants.
04
Chai and sweets
Chai is served in unglazed clay cups called bhars, which add an earthy note. Bengali sweets such as rasgulla and mishti doi finish a meal.
05
Try it at Tapri Chai
Kolkata’s signature flavours that you can try here:
- Pani Puri, $9.99
- Hakka Noodles, $14.99
- Veg Manchurian, $14.99
- Peri Peri Momo, $15.99
- Kadak Chai, $4.49
Questions, answered.
What is puchka?
The Kolkata name for pani puri.
What is a kathi roll?
A flatbread wrapped around a spiced filling, from Kolkata.
Why is Indian Chinese food linked to Kolkata?
The city’s Chinese community adapted their cooking to local tastes, creating the dishes now served across India.
Can I try Indo-Chinese food in Ottawa?
Yes. Tapri Chai serves Hakka Noodles, Veg Manchurian and Peri Peri Momo.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.