In pictures: Nine Kolkata street food favourites, and where to try them

Pav Bhaji from Agarwal’s Pav Bhaji: One of the most famous street foods available outside Vardaan Market, Agarwal's Pav Bhaji is a rich medley of ghee, spices and boiled vegetables, served with buttered pavs that are always toasty hot. Try the Special Pav Bhaji which is levelled up with cashew nuts or the Jain Pav Bhaji that comes without onions and garlic

Fish Kabiraji from Mitra Cafe: The Fish Kabiraji from the century-old Mitra Cafe is a Kolkata classic. The fish fry has an airy egg batter that is spun on hot oil, making for a crackling coating. Pair it with fresh onions and some kasundi for the best evening snack! When at Mitra Cafe in Shyambazar, also try their specialty Rs 2 Chicken Stew (available in the mornings but finds no mention on the menu card) and Brain Chop

Jhal Muri and Papdi Chaat from Raj Kishore Shah: Raj Kishore Shah, who usually sits just outside Barbeque Nation on Park Street, has over two decades of experience under his belt, and thus, the flavours of his chatpata chaats are bang on. Try the Jhal Muri and Papri Chaat – they never disappoint

Mangsher Chorbir Ghugni from Lalu-Bhulu’s Tea Shop: Available only on Sunday mornings at the homely tea stall bang opposite the Kolkata Police Sutanuti Outpost on Kumartuli Ghat, the Mangsher Chorbir Ghugni is a smoking-hot bowl of ghugni (chickpea curry) topped with generous amounts of mutton fat. Grab their ghugni with fluffy semi-toasted bread and half-boiled (or full-boiled) duck eggs

Kulfi from Parameshwar Kulfiwala: Kulfi from Parameshwar Kulfiwala is unmissable when shopping at Vardaan Market on a sweltering day. The purveyor has a host of flavours on offer — from the traditional kesar badam and sitaphal to an offbeat orange

Samosa and Jalebi from Arun Tea Stall: While their kesar chai is what propelled them to fame, ATS, at the mouth of Hungerford Street, also sells snacks. Samosas and Jalebis are the most popular eats at the little stall. The Samosas have sweet notes separating them from the otherwise fiery options available in the city and the Jalebis are drenched in a “secret syrup”

Rolls from Hot Kati Roll: Head to Hot Kati Roll on Theatre Road if you’re looking for massive chunks of meat enveloped in tender parathas. These rolls are thicker and spicier than the traditional kathi roll. Our pick at Hot Kati Roll is a toss-up between the Double Chicken and Double Mutton Roll, both priced at Rs 100

Dahi Vada from Jeet Lal’s Chat Center: A refreshing street chaat, Dahi Vada has different strains across the country. “Jeet Lal's Dahi Bara was just what we needed on this hot Kolkata day. Really soft mini vadas topped with yogurt, sprinklings of different masalas, and this almost date-like sweet chutney with thick sev on top. Delicious stuff,” posted chef Thomas Zacharias, who is currently exploring Kolkata. The stall is located just opposite Simpark Mall in New Market

Paan from Laxman’s: End your trail with a paan fix from Laxman’s. The Sarat Bose Road ‘paan dokan’ that’s been around for over four decades has unique flavours to choose from — from Gundi and Gulkhand to Chocolate and Ice Paan. We recommend the Chocolate Paan (don’t knock it till you try it!) which sees Nutella as its hero ingredient