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In a list released by food and travel guide TasteAtlas yesterday, Kolkata’s popular street food kathi roll was declared amongst the top 10 list of wraps in the world. Ranking in sixth position, the meat-stuffed flatbread seasoned with vegetables and sauces was celebrated for its adaptability. As per the guide’s description, it is believed to have originated in Nizam’s restaurant in Kolkata during the 1960’s - where metal skewers used to grill the meat on coals were replaced with bamboo ones - from which the delicacy derived its name. The word kathi - which means stick in Bengali - the paratha roll has been touted to capture global attention as a timeless symbol for the country’s vibrant street food culture. In addition to this, the chicken kathi roll also featured on the guide’s extend list of top 20 wraps in the world - thus reinforcing the versatility of the preparation to go beyond its simplicity and composition.
While the gyros from Greece ranked in first position, it was followed by the sangchu ssam from South Korea - which is a lettuce wrap stuffed with rice, meat and pickled vegetables and the tantuni from Turkey - a lavash flatbread encompassing thinly sliced meat stir fried in cotton oil. Occupying ranks four and five were the enchiladas suizo from Mexico City and the carne asada burrito from San Diego. The kathi roll at number six was followed by four of Mexico’s celebrated wraps - burrito, enchiladas, mulita and the enchiladas mineras. The official portal of the guide declares New Delhi’s Khan Chacha to be the most iconic spot for kathi rolls while the jury’s still out on its chicken variation.
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A brief description of the street food delicacy on the website says, “Some say that the dish was invented because the British didn't want to eat kebabs with their hands, so an ingenious person at Nizam's restaurant rolled the meat in a paratha. Initially, kathi roll was prepared with eggs and chutney along with the meat. Typically, the cook will roll the dough on a tawa, crack an egg onto it, then add the fillings. Kathi roll is traditionally wrapped in paper and served piping hot.” Aside from Nizam’s in Kolkata, Kusum Rolls enjoys a spot to get a taste of authentic egg, chicken and mutton kathi rolls, along with Arsalan restaurant that is also famed for its Kolkata-style biryani.
