Tai Sen Eating House – A Hidden Gem of Kolkata

I do not really remember the last time I frequented a restaurant for three times in a week. Tai Sen Eating House has made me done that. Tai Sen has been suggested to me by a friend and I immediately wanted to cover this place, as a blogger.

Tai Sen is located at Bentinck Street, just beside Calcutta Motor & Cycle. The nearest Metro station would be either Esplanade(5 mins walk) or Chandni Chowk (7 mins walk). 

Google Map Link is here

As the name suggests, Tai Sen is basically a Chinese eatery which is slightly inclined towards Cantonese-style of cooking. Tai Sen started during 2019 as a home-kitchen only which turned into a small restaurant post-pandemic.

This place can host a maximum of 20 people at a time and the restaurant is nicely decorated too. There is an AC too, if that matters over good food.

You will not see any waiters here. The kitchen is managed by Mr. Edwin Liao, who used to work as a Chinese-cuisine expert at Hotel Kenilworth, Kolkata and also by his son, Kenneth. The tables and the cash counter is managed by the other members of the family. 

As mentioned earlier, I visited this place for the very first time post 25th December and since then, visited twice within a span of just 7 days. I simply loved the food here. If you are visiting, definitely do not miss the Steamed Wontons. 10 generous pieces of Wontons at just 190 INR. Some super soft, medium-sized Wontons, mixed and steamed with Cabbage Stems, Bok Choy, Chicken Lard and served with a spicy red chilly sauce. Absolutely ideal for a winter/rainy evening, can be well-paired with some hot clear soup.

I did try some other dishes too which includes starters like Tai Sen Special Soup, Chilly Chicken, Hot n Sour Pork and some main courses like Mixed Fried Rice(4/5) & Garlic Chicken(4/5). The quantity of all the dishes is enough for two people. The food was prepared with fresh ingredients, the same was served hot. The taste was top-notch. Here, the Mixed Fried Rice/Noodles is served with Chicken, Prawns and Eggs in general but if you want Pork to be added, there will be an additional charge which is also very nominal.

This place is heaven for “pork addicts”. I tried the Sweet n Sour Pork and I found each and every piece had the perfect meat and fat ratio. The quality of the pork is also very good.

Some more information :

‣Cost for 2 will be around 600 INR if you take starters and main course.
‣Do not forget to try the Chef’s Special menu.
‣Half portions come at just 10 INR extra.
‣Open from 12 PM to 9.30 PM, with a one hour break during the early evening.
‣Cash and UPI Payments accepted.
‣Tai Sen remains closed on Sundays however, if you have a large group of 15-18 people, you can let the owner know in advance and he will be more than happy to prepare the food and serve the same. Same can be contacted for take-aways.
‣Contact Number : 080179 79208

If you’re a genuine Chinese food lover, you must not miss this place. Never-ever in my life, have I described a restaurant as a “hidden gem” just like that, if I am using it there has to be a reason. Tai Sen has all the reasons. While writing this, I am definitely craving for some Wontons from Tai Sen!

Coming back real soon with a new blog!

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Note : 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘/𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕.

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Jalpan – A Hidden Gem in true sense

I know many people of Kolkata who crave for a plate of Chhole-Bhature and they frequently visit the branches of Haldiram’s or Bombay Shiv Sagar. Just today, one of my friends mentioned that he misses the Chhole-Bhature that he used to eat at Delhi.

I came to know of this place from Subhadeep Da who grew up in Bhowanipore area of Kolkata. Subha Da, beside being my mentor and ex-manager at Amazon, is a foodie & is also a former restaurant-owner and I take his suggestions very seriously.

Direction: If you get down at Netaji Bhavan Metro Station, cross the iCore Mall and take the second lane on the left side, walk for 800 meters through Chak Beria Road, take the right turn and walk for another one minute till you see a dingy, not-so-attractive shop called Jalpan. (Google Map Link)

History of Jalpan :

This place started functioning since 1980’s. A truck-driver who used to stay in the same location started this shop and after he passed away, his son took the responsibility of carrying the legacy forward. I forgot the name of the current owner (forgive me for that!) is a nice, friendly guy and he does not mind to chat with his customers, if he is not busy.

What will you get here?

Well, the answer is very short. It is Chhole-Bhature & Lassi. You can get some Dahi/Curd too if stocks last. There are no other items that they sell.

The Chhole-Bhature sells like hot cake at this place. The shop opens at 8 AM and is closed by 5 PM and the food is prepared fresh once an order is placed and served hot.

I’ve tried Chhole-Bhature from Delhi and also from other states too. This one is close to Delhi. The Bhature are fluffy and soft, the perfection that we look for when ordering this dish. The Chhole looks dashing, a thick-brownish gravy, enough chickpeas in it and the gravy has just the right amount of spices and masalas in it. The Chhole is spicy but it won’t be a problem for people who can’t stand spicy things. Don’t worry! It is served with the mandatory onion and pickle and you will also get a green chili if you ask for it.

Two pieces of Bhature and a full plate of Chhole comes at a price of just 50 INR. Beside this, you can also get a glass of Lassi, if at all you have some space left in your tummy after the platter. The curd is prepared at this place and they sell it separately too at a price of 200 INR/kg. You can also get a single piece of Bhature at an extra cost of around 7 to 8 INR.

This place is good for take-aways. If you want to eat there, there are two tables placed on the pavement which are most-likely not empty during rush hours.

I tried the food and after paying 50 INR, I told to myself that I haven’t got such a satisfaction after trying a street-food during the recent times! The taste will linger for sometime.

For people who are a fan of Chhole-Bhature and they are searching for some North-Indian style of the dish, should definitely try this and thank me later. This place is known to only genuine foodies and you’ll not be hearing much about this place from so-called “food-bloggers” of the city.

One last snap! ☝

 

Timing : This place operates from 8 AM to 5 PM on all days. However, morning sees a rush while the afternoon is a bit on the lighter side. If you are having this for breakfast, you won't require anything to eat till late afternoon. I went there for a brunch at around 3:30 PM and found the place to be almost empty.

You can contact this place at 8910912100 for any kind of queries. I heard that they do home deliveries to nearby areas. They do accept UPI payments along with cash.

Coming back real soon with a new blog!

In the interim, you might be interested to follow my Instagram handle or my Facebook Profile. Feel free to leave a honest feedback too, it will take less than a minute!

Note : 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘/𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕.

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Mancherji’s Parsi Food – Kolkata

 

If you’re in Kolkata, the options of having Parsi cuisine is very limited.

There is Manackjee Rustomjee Parsi Dharamshala at Bow Barracks and we saw the opening of Sodabottleopenerwala at South City Mall. Dharamshala is now taken care of by another family and is still oeprating.

There is one more place which is not known to many. This place is called Mancherji’s which is run by a very humble and sweet lady known as Supriya Mancherji. She runs this place single-handedly and you can find the location out here. Supriya Mancherji is basically a Bengali who got married to a Parsi family and from there, she got the expertise.

If you drop down at Park Street Metro and walk towards Indian Museum, you will find the branch of Paradise Biryani on the right. Cross that, take the first right and walk for 1 minute until you see the bright signboard saying Mancherji’s on your left.

From outside, this place will look like any other street-side hotel (better to say, ভাতের হোটেল!) but it’s one of the hidden gems of the city. They do serve Bengali food too and you will see a lot of people coming here during the afternoon to have their regular Bengali Thali and also for some Rolls and Chow Mein during the evening. They are operating since last 12 years.

Here, the Parsi food menu has two parts. One part will give you a list of the Parsi food that you will get everyday and the other part, you need to pre-order (24 hours in advance) because those are special items. Check the menu here :

I tried their regular menu and the items that I tried are :

• Chicken Farcha and Mutton Patties for starters
• Chicken Dhansak and Sali Chicken for main course
• Lagan Nu Custard for dessert

Coming to the food, all the items were authentic in taste and the proper way of Parsi-style cooking is followed here. Generally, I do not have mutton or any red meat as such, but I liked the Mutton Patties. Unlike other patties that we’re used to, this one is soft, the outer layer is thin and minced mutton is used inside. The Chicken Farcha is huge in size with a huge piece of marinated chicken inside while the outer coating is of egg and it is soft. Two great starters within 100 INR/piece.

Next, it is time to have my favorite Chicken Dhansak. For those, who are thinking of Mutton Dhansak, you need to pre-order. The rice which is served here is yellow, caramelized rice with fried onions (Beresta) and along with that, you will get a bowl-full of Parsi-style chicken and lentil curry along with Kachumber. Dhansak is itself a meal. The Sali Chicken has less gravy, as usual and it goes really well with Roti or Paratha. The fried matchstick potatoes as toppings were plenty. For dessert, the must-have is Lagan Nu Custard which comes at 60 INR/plate. Lagan Nu is a must during any Parsi wedding and the name means ‘wedding custard’. Here, the usage of milk, eggs and cardamoms is done properly and hence, I had one of the best custards in recent times.

In case, you are thinking if I tried their Akuri or Patra Ni Machhi, I had no space left in my stomach. I kept these for the next time along with few other dishes which will also include Khichri Sas.

Few things to note down :

1. The place remains open from 12.30 PM to 9 PM
2. You need to pre-order few items which you can check from the menu card and there is a minimum quantity that you need to order. Pre-order is also suggested for bulk orders.
3. Usually, the stock of Patra Ni Machhi is very limited and there is a tendency that this items runs out of stock early.
4. If there is a bigger gang, it is better to inform the owner in advance so that you get the best of the service and there is less waiting time.
5. The updated phone number is : 9051355254 & 9830671220
6. The starters/appetizers has just one piece in a plate. So, if there are 5 people and if you want to have Chicken Farcha, take 5 plates. Same goes with Sali Chicken.

Here is the menu card which has all the regular items listed, included Bengali Food and snacks.

I would not think twice to say that Mancherji’s is the best place in Kolkata to have Parsi food. Be it in terms of taste or value for money, they take care of both. If you go to Manackjee Rustomjee Parsi Dharamshala at Bow Barracks, whatever you eat, it has to be pre-ordered and the bill would easily be around 2000 INR for a gang of 6 people. SBOW at South City is costly too but the variety is more, no doubt about that.

Coming back real soon with a new blog!

In the interim, you might be interested to follow my Instagram handle or my Facebook Profile. Feel free to leave a honest feedback too, it will take less than a minute!

Note : 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘/𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕.

Email - foodiedibyajit@gmail.com

Blog and Image Courtesy : Foodie Dibyajit