“Eat, love, live”, has been my life’s mantra since I was a small girl. My love for tasting different cuisines has made me travel at length, to almost every nook and corner of Kolkata. And, today I will unveil a hidden treasure of Kolkata, the foodie’s paradise- Terreti Bazaar.
Terreti Bazaar, originally known as Tiretta Bazaar, gets its name from the Italian civil architect and town planner, Eduardo Tiretta. Located in the eastern part of Kolkata, Terreti bazaar is not only Kolkata's China town from a gourmet's point of view but is also home to around 2000 Chinese Indian nationals. Even at 7 am, the place is teeming with numerous Chinese Indian national selling authentic Chinese food. They taste different from the Chinese food you will find in the restaurants but trust me all the dishes are heavenly.
10 items that you must try are:
1. Pork pie: A delicious meat pie stuffed with roughly chopped pork and pork fat, surrounded by a crunchy crust. Undoubtedly one of the best pork starters you will find in the city. This is also the best dish you will find here.
2. Fish/chicken/pork Momo: The momos are authentic and taste as good as the ones we find in Northeast India. The meat filling is well cooked with a perfect balance of spices. The soft outer wheat flour layer makes the experience even more fascinating. Do try the prawn Momos. They are exceptionally good.
4. Soup: The steaming hot soup made with meat stock tastes divine.
6. Mutton momo soup: Perfectly stuffed meat momos immersed in meat broth soup is seriously a combination you can't afford to miss.
9. Puri with prawns: This is a unique dish, where the puris are deep-fried with prawns. This one is worth a try.
10. Chicken tandoori: In this paradise of Chinese delicacies, even the Mughlai Chicken Tandoori tastes heavenly. For a quick change of taste, bite on to the soft, well-roasted tandoori chicken. You won’t be disappointed.
How to reach there:
All these make Terreti Bazaar India’s oldest China town, which has managed to weather all storms and has proven how fascinating Kolkata truly is.
1. Pork pie: A delicious meat pie stuffed with roughly chopped pork and pork fat, surrounded by a crunchy crust. Undoubtedly one of the best pork starters you will find in the city. This is also the best dish you will find here.
3. Sausage: Sausages being hung and dried in the sun is a rare watch that you will experience here. You will mostly find cooked chicken and pork sausages. However, if you are full, do buy the uncooked ones. They are fresh and are of superior quality.
5. Spring roll: The spring rolls are fresh and are stuffed with minced vegetables and fish. The rolls are simply delicious.
7. Pork Shu Mei: These dumplings are stuffed with meat rolled into small balls along with eggs, butter, minced onion, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. A dip in the hot sauce and I was overjoyed.
8. Steamed baozi bun: These soft steamed buns, mainly stuffed with tender pork taste heavenly.
Since I am not a great admirer of vegetarian foods, I cannot provide you with those details but have attached pictures for guidance. They do look equally appealing.
Terreti Bazaar is located just beside Poddar Court, near Lal Bazaar police headquarters. The place is a bit inaccessible without personal cars or cabs.
However, you may also avail the metro. Get down at Central metro station and walk towards Poddar Court. On the left, there is a small mosque, adjacent to which is the lane having Terreti Bazaar.
Terreti Bazaar is a 20 mins walk from Sealdah station.
Pocket pinch:
It will cost you Rs 500-600 if you are planning to have a sumptuous breakfast.
Terreti Bazaar is a rare gem for bhukkads like me. Being an Indian market place, and yet preserving Chinese heritage in its truest senses makes the place even more fascinating. Do reach there by 7 on a Sunday morning if you want to experience this Indian China town.
And now for all those who love traveling as much as eating, Terreti Bazaar will amaze you more. A ten minutes’ walk will lead you to the Sea Ip Church. Originally established in 1882, the present building was constructed in 1905. The church is extremely active and is dedicated to Kwan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, who is also associated with Buddhism.
-Shankhanila Palchowdhury
A graduate student in Journalism and Communications, I am an avid reader, writer, blogger, foodie and movie buff. Based in Kolkata, I am extremely passionate about trekking, travelling, exploring and building new relations every day.
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