Zakaria Street Ramzan Food Walk

From my childhood I have kept hearing about Nakhoda Masjid but never had the chance of visiting it. You may call it an irony that we often keep ignoring the very landmarks of our own city since we never look at them as a place of interest. This year however I have made I made it a point to visit it at least once. Surprisingly I made more than one trip since once is just not enough.

I am not a street photographer so had no prior experience of shooting street shots so tried my best to click some, hope you like them. I love to eat thus this photo blog will feature fifty photographs and some related information about it. I would however recommend you to visit this place personally to experience a culinary delight.

Location of Zakaria Street

You can reach Nakhoda Masjid by Bus, Car, Bike or Metro. Nearest Metro station with be M. G. Road and if you are coming by Car or Bike then park your vehicle behind Poddar Court and take a short walk. You can take the tram also but I would not recommend that since it can be hell of a slow ride. There are many Bus plying to Rabindra Sarani so hop into any one of them.

The lanes and by lanes are quite narrow and with the hawkers overflowing on the streets moving around will be an art that you need to muster. Flow along with the crowd when required and move aside if you want to check out a street vendor.

As you enter Zakaria Street you can see the festivities at its full swing. Hawkers everywhere can be seen selling food products, clothes, Ittar (perfume), Lachha etc. You will see the Sherbet seller selling Rooh Afza and the dry food sellers. You can see a steady customer to the Sherbet seller as all the shopping usually makes people thirsty. Some of them were buying Sherbets in pet bottles since being Ramzan time they are not allowed to drink so they keep them for use during Iftar.

Rooh Afza Sharbat

Dry Fruits

Breads

If you a little further you will get the bread sellers. From buns to flat dough bread you get a variety of choice. Some would be sugar coated while some are stuffed.

Read this blog for a detailed list of breads that you get out here during Ramzan.

Halim – Zakaria Street

Ramzan is incomplete if you do not taste Halim for Iftar and over here you get all the options. You will find many shops selling Halim but the famous ones are Sufia and Aminia. For experimentation you can surely try the Maghaz Halim.

Snacks & Desserts – Zakaria Street

If you are not that hungry then you can surely try some snacks or pack some delicious desserts available at Aminia Restaurant. You have the option of Chops, Burger, Parathas, Keema Cheese Roll etc. If you have a sweet tooth then try out Sahi Tukra, this is highly recommended. It’s made of bread which is served in Kheer and thickened milk.

Sevai Lachha – Zakaria Street

One of the signature dish of Eid is Sevai Kheer, you get a chance to buy regular, roasted, Lachha and various other branded and unbranded varieties. Get yourself a pack which you can surely enjoy back home.

Taskeen – Zakaria Street

There is a small restaurant called Taskeen where you get excellent fried chicken. You need to buy the chicken by weight and then its marinated and fried for you. I would also recommend the Faluda from this shop.

Fruits & Salads – Zakaria Street

Having fruit and vegetable salads is quite popular to break the fast during Ramzan and throughput the lane you will find several street vendors selling them. Date Palm form an integral part of this and you get verities of them, from local unbranded ones to imported packed ones.

Hot Fries – Zakaria Street

Fries are an all-time favourite for most of us and especially in Kolkata they are apt for any season. You get to buy piping hot brinjal, potato, mixed vegetable fries coated in batter.

Kebabs – Zakaria Street

Kebabs… I am sure your mouth is watering by now and out here the options are galore. You can try Boti Kebab, Khiri Kebab, Sutli Kebab, Tangri Kebab, Rashmi Kebab etc. Since you won’t be able eat all thus would suggest to eat some and pack the rest so that you can have it back home. It’s always recommended to have them with freshly chopped onion and a sprinkle of lemon on top.

Fried Fish – Zakaria Street

Another popular item out here is fried fish…. Yes you have heard me correct fried fish and they are sold in huge quantities. Similar to that of chicken they are weighed first and priced accordingly and then deep fried. The pieces look gigantic something that you usually don’t associate with fried fish.

Jalebis & Imrati – Zakaria Street

Since you are in Bengal you have to have something sweet and to end it how about some hot Jalebis and Imarti? Piping hot they will surely burn your tongue.

Kurta Sherwani Ittar – Zakaria Street

Even though this blog is about food it’s hard to miss the Eid shopping, you get some of the very fine clothing out here. Kurtas, Sherwani, Caps, Ittar etc. are available and will be spoilt for choice. The price out here is also very reasonable and a good bargain is always on the cards.

Are you still waiting? Well I have shown you rather tempted you enough so head to Zakaria Street and indulge yourself for some of the finest Mughal cuisine. Till then goodbye and bon appétit.