Mishit doi, rasgulla, songs, and culture are all famous in Kolkata. But did you know it’s also well-known for its 5 a.m. breakfast market? If not, you should go. Tiretta Bazaar is a neighborhood in Central Kolkata near Lalbazar. It is commonly referred to as Old China Market. The Chinese Indian community in Kolkata’s traditional occupation had been working in the nearby tanning industry as well as in Chinese restaurants. The neighborhood is still known for its Chinese restaurants, where visitors come to sample traditional Chinese and Indian Chinese cuisine.
1.Youtiao
These deep-fried Chinese bread are one of Tiretti Bazaar’s best-sellers, selling out in minutes for just Rs 5 each. A youtiao is a Chinese donut that is lightly salted on the outside and fluffy and airy on the inside. It looks like a churro but tastes more doughy and is essentially a finger bread made with leavened flour dough. Youtiao originated as a breakfast staple during the Southern Song dynasty in the 12th century.
2.Pork Sausages
Tiretti’s handmade sausages have a cult following; their consistency differs from traditional German meat sausages. Chinese sausages are known for their rich, emulsified texture, which makes them juicier; similarly, Tiretti’s pork sausages are delicate and chewy, with very subtle sweet notes. You can even purchase raw sausages to fry at home or purchase the ingredients to make your own sausage from scratch.
3.Fishball Soup
Tiretti’s breakfast fare adapts this Sichuan delicacy; homemade fish balls are served in a steaming bowl of flavorful broth. The fish balls aren’t deep-fried and usually consist of tender minced fish cooked on medium heat; they’re delicate but filling. Each serving includes two fish balls and a bowl of soup, and it’s usually priced around Rs 20. The warm broth is best paired with a simple meat bun.
4.Momo (Steamed/Fried)
If you like momos, this place will satisfy your cravings. Authentic Chinese dumplings are served with a fiery Chinese sauce and chutney. Aside from the steamed versions, there are also fried wontons with various fillings. Watch for Sui Mai, which are Chinese versions of momos. It comes with a choice of stuffing: pork, chicken, or fish. The steamed and crispy fried momos pair well with the soup and sauce that comes with them.
5.Mooncakes
This popular Chinese dessert is unique in every way and nearly impossible to find in Kolkata. It’s a seasonal dessert only available for about 4-5 months, beginning in September. Moon cakes are tender, dense pastries enclosing a thick, sweet filling; Tiretti’s version simplifies the format and expands its versatility with a filling of raisins, dried cherries, pumpkin candies, and nuts. They’re lighter than traditional mooncakes because they don’t contain bean or seed pastes and are also great as a snack. Rs 80 in the bank
6.Noodle Soup
As the name implies, this is a soupy noodle dish with lots of green vegetables and flavorful veg or chicken stock. Various soups with noodles and other ingredients served in a light broth are referred to as noodle soup. Noodles of various types are used, including rice noodles, wheat noodles, and egg noodles.
7.Pork Rolls/Pork Chops
Sometimes the simplest recipes have the best flavor, and pork rolls and pork chops are perfect examples. This deep-fried crispy dish is a must-order for any pork fan. It is also available in a fish flavor. Like any other meat chop, a pork chop is a loin cut taken perpendicular to the pig’s spine and usually consists of a rib or part of a vertebra. Pork chops are leaner and less processed than other cuts. Chops typically serve as an individual portion with applesauce, vegetables, and other sides.
8.Baozi
Steamed doughy Chinese street-style buns are filled with juicy, red roast pork (often curried in red bean paste). They’re large and chunky, with a taipo (or tai po) style; they’re packable, easy to carry around, and travel well. One serving usually includes a single-serve bun, which costs between Rs 25 and Rs 40.
9.Khwai Choi Pan (Vegetable Pancake)
A khwai choi pan is a pancake with a vegetable filling inside. Despite its simplicity, the dish screams indulgence. The umami flavor of dried shrimp and Chinese sausage infuses these savory Chinese pancakes. They’re soft in the middle and crispy around the edges. For vegetarian people, there are vegetarian substitutions in this dish.
10. Zongzi
The Chinese dish zongzi, also known as joong in Cantonese, is a water-cooked rice-wrapped tamale. This bazaar sells both savory and sweet varieties of Zung or Zongi. They are mostly cooked after a steaming process. Northern Chinese zongzi is typically sweet and dessert-like in flavor. However, zongzi from the south are generally saltier or more savory.
11. Fried Meat Pies
Tiretti’s chicken and pork pies are shaped almost like oversized wontons, and it’s one of the bazaar’s few baked breakfast options. It’s hearty and flavorful, with meat and cooked vegetables medley. The Tiretti-style pie is also difficult to find in other parts of town, especially at only Rs 40!
12. Wontons
Wontons are similar to fried momos but differ in shape and size. It is only served with sauce. They are filling a square wrapper made of an egg-based dough with ground pork and shrimp or other fillings, sealing the edges, and then frying or cooking in soup broth.
13. Chang Yuan Paan (Vegetable Dumplings)
Another interesting dish I discovered was Chang Yuan Paan, also known as vegetable dumplings. These are not your typical vegetarian dumplings, but they are wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed. These are very greenish and neat.
14. Rice Pudding
Sticky rice pudding is a traditional Chinese delicacy made primarily of glutinous rice, water, and sugar. A richer version may also include nuts or dried fruit. Some people add coconut cream, which adds a nice contrast and cuts through the sweetness. When served, a flavorful chrysanthemum syrup is added.
15. Chicken Mei Fun
Thin rice noodles are known as mei fun noodles. This recipe calls for dried rice noodles that have been pre-cooked and dried during manufacturing. Mei fun has a neutral flavor—a subtle sweetness, similar to white rice, that recedes into the background to let the flavors of its seasonings or sauces stand out. It has an al dente texture with a snappy, thread-like bite if adequately reconstituted.
16. Luohan Cai (Vegetable Casserole)
The soup or stew has many ingredients, particularly animal products, and takes one to two days to prepare. A typical recipe calls for quail eggs, bamboo shoots, scallops, sea cucumber, abalone, shark fin, fish maw, chicken, Jinhua ham, pork tendon, ginseng, mushrooms, and taro, among other ingredients.
17. CharSiu
Char siu is a Chinese dish of marinated, roasted pork originating in Cantonese cuisine. Char siu translates to “fork roasted,” which refers to the preparation method: long strips of meat are skewered on a fork and roasted or barbecued.
18. Chun Juan (Spring Rolls)
Spring rolls are wrapped in a paper-thin wrapper made of flour and water. This crispy wrapper is so thin that it shatters when touched. These wrappers are filled with a mixture of pork, shrimp, beans, sprouts, and cabbage before being fried.
19. Hakka Noodles
Hakka noodles are Indo-China-style noodles made from unleavened refined wheat flour. These are boiled al dente and then stir-fried in a Chinese wok with oil, vegetables, and soy sauce.
20. Congee
Congee is a traditional Chinese breakfast dish. It is also popular in various other countries, including Burma, Indonesia, Japan, and parts of Europe. Congee is a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a large amount of water until it becomes a pudding-like consistency. It can be eaten plain or with ingredients such as meat, fish, seasonings, and flavorings, which are usually savory but can be sweet.
