Durga Puja 2025: 10 must-try Bengali snacks for the festive season
Durga Puja isn’t just a spiritual celebration—it’s a culinary journey through the heart of Bengal. With each pandal visit comes the aroma of spices, frying batter, and sizzling grills that make up the festive foodscape. Kathi Rolls wrapped in warm parathas, crispy Beguni with a touch of nostalgia, and crunchy Phuchkas bursting with flavour bring joy in every bite.
Kathi rolls Kathi roll is an iconic street food from Kolkata. The flaky parathas are filled with deliciously spiced fillings including chicken, egg, or paneer, and sautéed assorted veggies, with crunchy onions, sauces, and/or lime. Very popular for on-the-go pandal hopping, Kathi rolls are delicious and filling. The flavours of the char grilled smoky meat and chef's style wrapping the soft bread, create a memorable first bite from the first taste you'll never forget.(Image: Pinterest)
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Beguni These fried fritters made of eggplant are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Slices of brinjal are dipped in a spicy batter made of gram flour and then deep fried until golden brown. These fritters are a classic tea time snack known very well during festive days. They provide just the right amount of light crunch and mild bitter taste to balance out the richness of the other Puja treats.(Image: Pinterest)
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Aloo bhaja Aloo Bhaja is a very simple and yet irresistible dish. Referring to thinly sliced potatoes, Aloo Bhaja is deep fried until golden golden brown and crispy. Aloo Bhaja is sometimes served as a side with khichuri. It is also a nostalgic crunchy dish that reminds us of home-cooked food. A simple seasoning on the potato enhances the natural sweetness of the potato.(Image: Pinterest)
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Phuchka The Bengali version of panipuri. Phuchka is a burst of flavour in each bite. Crispy puri shell mixing spicy mashed potatoes and tamarind water and sometimes with a squeeze of gondhoraj lemon. This tangy and spicy dish is a definite must-have in the Puja heat.(Image: Pinterest)
Bhetki fish fry Bhetki Fish Fry is an essential fish item in the Durga Puja menu. For this dish, boneless Bhetki fillets are first marinated in a mixture of spices, then coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden. It is served with kasundi (Bengali mustard sauce) and onions and is a classic favorite. The flaky, moist fish contrasts with the characteristic crunch of breadcrumbs.(Image: Pinterest)
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Kolkata street-style chowmein An Indo-Chinese fusion dish that is holiday food. Hot stir fried noodles mixed together with crunchy vegetables sauced in soy sauce, chili peppers, and even including chicken or egg, this is a quick serving, comforting and snack-like favorite among festival crowds. It's flavourful and has a bit of tang which makes the Chowmein a great bite to eat for any one during Puja Celebrations.(Image: Pinterest)
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Dim'er devil Dim'er Devil is the Bengali version of Scotch eggs; boiled eggs are taken and wrapped in a spicy mixture of meat and potatoes, then wrapped in breadcrumbs and fried. It is hearty, filling, and so flavourful and satisfying. The sinfulness of a soft egg yolk that oozes out bites into the warm crunchy, spicy mixture just makes it the ultimate snack.(Image: Pinterest)
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Ghugni A comforting street-food snack made of dried white peas cooked in a spicy, tangy sauce and finished with diced onions, green chilies, and squeezed lime. Ghugni can be served with chops or eaten alone when you want something quick and delicious. This is a warming dish best served on a cool Puja night.(Image: Pinterest)
Chingri cutlet Chingri Cutlets are delicious prawn cutlets with juicy prawns, mashed potatoes, and spices formed in the shape of cutlets and deep-fried. They are a seafood-inspired snack that adds richness to the Puja snack platter, and include a satisfying crunch that bursts with ocean flavour and a hint of spice.(Image: Pinterest)
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Non-veg chops These non-veg chops are deep fried cutlets, bread-crumbed bread stuffed with a spicy mixture of meat, typically mutton or chicken. The cutlets are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Non-veg chops are traditionally served hot and are savored every Puja by meat eaters. Non-veg chops can be enjoyed with green chutney or squeezed lime juice on top.(Image: Pinterest)
