Crispy, soft and freshly fried — kochuri with a side of alu torkari or chholar dal is among Kolkata’s favourite breakfast dishes! While Kolkatans throng to kochuri shops around the city in all seasons, hot crispy kochuris (or kachoris) are best enjoyed on chilly winter mornings.
As Kolkata bids adieu to winter, My Kolkata takes a tour of the city for a last bite of the breakfast favourite. Check out the stops on the kochuri trail…
Maharaj Snacks
One of the most popular shops for kachori in south Kolkata, Maharaj Snacks on Sarat Bose Road tests the resolve of many a Kolkatan after their morning exercise. The shop opens at 7am every day and stays open till 12.30pm, serving hing kochuri for Rs 10 per piece, with a side or alur torkari. In the evenings, Maharaj is open from 4pm to 9pm.
Maharani Tea & Tiffin
Another popular spot in south Kolkata is Maharani Tea & Tiffin, also on Sarat Bose Road. This one opens a full hour earlier at 6am and stays open until 1pm. In the evenings, the hing kochuri — at Rs 12 a piece — with alu torkari is served from 3.30pm to 9.30pm. Maharani also has the crispy khasta kochuri for Rs 12 a piece.
Adi Sree Hari Mistanna Bhandar
If you love a slightly sweet chholar dal with your kochuri, then Adi Sree Hari in Kalighat should be your destination. Priced at Rs 12 per piece, the kochuris are served all day, from as early as 6am until 10pm. They also have the option of alu torkari if you don't want the dal, and you can also try their dalpuri (Rs 10 per piece). If you want to go a bit fancy for your winter breakfast, opt for the Kashmiri alur dum, priced at Rs 30 per plate.
Mohan Bhandar
This shop on SN Banerjee Road in Dharmatala, is known as the spot where Amitabh Bachchan got his fill of kochuris during the shoot of Piku. Open all day, from 8am to 10pm, they serve the breakfast favourite by the plate. One full plate, priced at Rs 50, has four kochuris, with a side of alur torkari, chutney and a green chilli pickle.
Putiram
If you know College Street, you’re sure to have heard about the popular Putiram. Not only do they serve some of the best nolen gur roshogolla, this heritage shop even made it to Anushka Sharma’s list of Kolkata food stops when she was in the city during the shoot of Chakda Xpress in 2022. If you find yourself in Kolkata’s boi para, stop by Putiram for some kochuri and radhaballavi. At Rs 32, you get a plate of four kochuris, with an option of dal or torkari for sides.
Adi Haridas Modak
This shop at the busy Shyambazar Five-Point crossing, on APC Bose Road, is over 200 years old and has been known for their kochuri for years! The unique thing about this shop is that they serve their kochuri on a banana leaf. However the kochuris are only a breakfast item at this heritage sweet shop, served in the morning from 8am to 12pm. Priced at Rs 12 per piece, they come with a side of khosha-wala alur torkari or chholar dal. Evenings at Adi Haridas Modak usually feature luchi instead.
Ganesh dar Kochuri (Paul Eating House)
This shop — look for Paul Eating House — on Nandalal Bose Lane in the Bagbazar area is famous for a special kind of kochuri — maachher kochuri or fish kochuri. The filling of this popular treat is made with cooked katla (Catla) fish, and served with a side of alu dum. Unlike its breakfast favourite counterpart, the maachher kochuri is more of an evening snack pick. Ganesh da’s shop serves their signature kochuri from 5.30pm to 9pm.
Kanhaiya Kachori
Kanhaiya Kachori on Rabindra Sarani in north Kolkata’s Burrabazar area on Rabindra Sarani, is teeming with people as soon as it opens at 7am, and there is a steady stream of visitors until closing time at 11.30pm. The most popular offering at Kanhaiya is their club kachori. For the uninitiated, club kachoris can be simply called a mini-size kochuri. Priced at Rs 10 per piece, it is served with a special sabzi and to get the full experience of the dish, finish up with their hot jalebis (Rs 15 a piece), which are fried in desi ghee.
Badri Ki Kachori
If you are a fan of the crispy, flaky khasta kachori, then this shop on Sri Hariram Goenka Street in Burrabazar should be on your radar. Priced at Rs 15 a piece, their khasta kachori is served with a sabzi on the side and some jhuri bhaja or sev.
Biswa Bandhu
A few steps ahead of Badri Ki Kachori, is another gem that has been around for about 70 years. Biswa Bandhu sells a delightful hing kochuri for Rs 9 per piece as well as club kachoris for Rs 5 per piece, both served with alu sabzi. If you’re an early bird, then head to this shop for your breakfast fix from 6.30am. It stays open until 9.30pm and kochuris are served all day.
For more options in Kolkata for your kochuri-loving soul, check out this list below, which features some known and lesser known kochuri stops in the city:
