Share
There are numerous restaurants in Kolkata across budgets and aesthetics. For us, looking for delectable and distinctive eating experiences, the city is a sanctuary, offering both traditional Indian food and international cuisines. One such restaurant in Kolkata that transports you on a lovely journey via flavours and scents that capture the essence of the city, whether you're a visitor or a local, is Russel Punjabi Dhaba, established in 1965.
Formerly known as Bharat Hindu Hotel, they are famous for their drive-in services and open shop at the break of dawn. Located in the Park Street/Russel Street neighbourhood of Kolkata at 41 Chowringhee Road, close to the Russell-Middleton Street intersection. They are one of the most authentic Punjabi joints in town. It opens at 5 AM sharp for all office-goers, college students, daily commuters and of course friends and family.
Image Credit: Pexels
There’s something of an old-world charm that permeates the restaurant. Maybe it’s because it’s been over 75 years since its establishment. The food here never fails to impress. When in Kolkata, you can be sure that Russel Punjabi Dhaba is going to supply you with everything you could possibly want, including a thick Punjabi lassi or a paratha.
History & Origin
Tracing history, Bengal had seen a huge influx of people from the Sikh community that found homes here during the partition. The city, which has a special place in the hearts of the people who have lived here since the days of the liberation fight, Kolkata is home to several hundred restaurants that serve Punjabi cuisine. Some of them fought alongside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and came to the city when he set up the All India Forward Bloc in 1939. Many decades later, the city would also be one of the safer places for the Sikhs who were being massacred elsewhere in the country.
There were just a handful of deaths in Bengal in the 1984 riots, and this was instrumental in bringing the Bengali and Sikh communities closer. The food they started making was a salute to the cultural tradition of their homeland while remaining true to the centuries-old, potent flavours and techniques of Punjabi cuisine.
Now, this ranged from meat with spinach, where they used palang saag in Bengal that became an alternative to sarson and bethua saag, palak cream, chicken dishes with fancy names such as Chicken Afghani and Anarkali with boiled eggs as an add-on, fish tikkas, chicken bharta, and, of course, the torka.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
It’s a very Kolkata-style recipe. The idea was to use up all the remaining ingredients. So, shredded chicken in a creamy gravy began to be called chicken tadka. Most significantly, the Bengalis, who were more accustomed to the turmeric-infused gravies in their homes, liked that it was golden yellow in colour.
What To Eat
The chicken tarka has a thick coating of handmade butter on top. The shredded chicken is dipped in a super-creamy sauce with loads of cream and which has made all the difference. It keeps the texture of the chicken shreds intact despite being mild to the core. It's hardly the kind of melt-in-your-mouth sensations that lead to these outstanding flavours.
Try dal tadka and aloo subzi too. These have been created and cooked in the dhaba kitchen in a way that says, it is ‘family-friendly,’ and very much affordable. While speaking to locals who frequent the joint, we got to know Russel is considered to be the ‘king’ of chicken tadka.
For your main course, have tawa roti and chicken bharta. Then, INR 100 gets you a plate of basmati rice. The price of a tawa roti is INR 20. The paneer paratha wins for being so delicious. The Aloo paratha will surpass your expectations. The paratha features a hearty, flavourful stuffing of seasoned mashed potatoes and an outer layer that is wonderfully crispy. The dish is perfectly complemented by the yoghurt and pickles that go with it.
Image Credt: Wikimedia Commons
Because of its mouthwatering parathas and authentic Punjabi tastes, we suggest this dhaba. Samosas, chai, some pakodas, nimki, khasta kachori, butter tea and kesar tea will seal the deal for a relaxing evening at Russel.
The majority of the second and third generation Punjabis have moved out of the city and settled overseas. Their closest connection to the city is still food. Bengalis are still fond of the humble bowl of torka, which was given to them by their Punjabi brethren, who soon discovered that the greatest way to get close to the academically arrogant Bengali was through his stomach.
Address: 41, Chowringhee Road, Chowringhee, Kolkata
Timings: 5 AM - 12:30 midnight
Price for two: INR 500 for two
