Explore Kolkata's Old Chinatown Tiretti Bazaar: One Stop Shop For Street Food Lovers

Kolkata boasts the unique distinction of having the only Chinatown in India, a gastronomic haven for food enthusiasts. Tiretti Bazaar, named after its Italian founder Edward Tiretta, has been a vibrant commercial hub in the eastern metropolis for decades. The first Chinese immigrants to Kolkata, primarily Cantonese, Hakka, and Hupei communities from southern China, settled in Tiretti Bazaar. They established businesses, including dry cleaning services and shoe shops, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem complete with noodle factories, provision stores, and leather and printing factories. Tiretti Bazaar is widely regarded as the birthplace of Chinese cuisine in India.

Breakfast is a must

For those seeking genuine Chinese street food, Tiretti Bazaar is the ideal destination. The bazaar comes alive as early as 5:30 a.m., offering an array of breakfast delicacies. One must try the mildly sweet Cantonese Ham Jeen piang, a fermented yeast dough batter sprinkled with sesame seeds, and Youtiao, Chinese doughnut sticks that pair perfectly with soup.

Among Kolkata’s finest street foods are momos, with popular varieties including Char Sui bao, fish shumai, pork momos, and pork baos. These dim sums are sold in the open-air market, allowing foodies to select from a wide array of dishes while sipping ‘cha’ (tea).

Steamed delicacies

Steamed dishes are another highlight, featuring bao zi (steamed buns) with various fillings. The cha siu bao and siu mai, buns stuffed with minced or barbecued pork, are particularly popular. For those with a heartier appetite, the larger tai pao offers similar delicious fillings.

Sweet endings

No breakfast in Tiretti Bazaar is complete without sampling authentic Chinese desserts. Must-try items include rice pudding with sesame seeds, sticky sweet vegetable pudding, rice cakes, and rice pudding with grated coconut.